Don Grady, who played Robbie Douglas on My Three Sons (1960-1972), passed away June 27, 2012 at the age of 68. Another actor who guest starred on the show, Doris Singleton, passed away around the same time.
My Three Sons
I remember watching My Three Sons when I was growing up. Because of my age, I did not originally watch the early seasons when Robbie was the middle son of Fred MacMurray’s character. But I remember watching the later years when Grady was the oldest son after actor Tim Considine departed the show.
A few years ago, though, I went back and watched the first season of the series and found it fascinating in the way it differed from the later years. Many find that the show was innovative in its early years, and it is too bad that there are only a couple complete seasons that officially are available on DVD now.
Here is part of an early episode of My Three Sons featuring Don Grady.
USA Today reports that Barry Livingston, who played youngest son Ernie Douglas in the later seasons, was the person who confirmed Grady’s death to the Associated Press. Livingston noted how he saw Grady as a real older brother and had learned a lot from him.
In addition to his acting career, Grady was a talented musician, and Livingston noted, “I would think Don would love to be remembered for his great music as much as a teen idol and television icon.”
So, in remembering Don Grady, here are a few different aspects of his career. First, before My Three Sons Grady appeared in a commercial singing and dancing, although unfortunately that video is no longer available on YouTube.
Don Grady, The Greefs, and Pop Music
Here Grady is singing on Hollywood A Go-Go.
Grady toyed with the idea of being a pop star while still on My Three Sons, where he had the band the Greefs. Below are the Greefs with “Good Man to Have Around the House.”
Grady’s Other Music Career
But after My Three Sons ended, Grady went in another music direction. He wrote music for movies and TV shows, including the opening music for The Phil Donahue Show.
From what I can tell from the Internet, he wrote the theme used in 1979 below (but feel free to correct me if you know of other information). Check it out.
In 2008, Grady released the CD Boomer: JazRokPop, which had a jazzier sound than his early pop music.
Reunion
Finally, we have to return to My Three Sons. Here is Don Grady in a My Three Sons “brothers” reunion on The Early Show, including the real-life brothers of Barry Livingston (Ernie) and Stanley Livingston (Chip). The reunion also includes Tina Cole, who played Robbie’s wife, Katie Miller.
Grady was in Los Angeles while the other cast members were in New York for the taping in this video that appears to be from 2009.
Thanks for the memories. RIP.
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