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80s actor Willie Aames, star of Eight Is Enough and Charles in Charge, hit rock bottom after fame... see him now at 65

Willie Aames, who is known for his role in the series Eight is Enough, stepped out for a rare outing this week in Los Angeles.The actor kicked off his entertain...

Bintano News

June 28, 2026

Willie Aames, who is known for his role in the series Eight is Enough, stepped out for a rare outing this week in .

The actor kicked off his entertainment career as a child star in the early 70s.

He took on minor roles in a number of shows such as Gunsmoke, ABC Afterschool Special and The Waltons throughout the decade.

Aames additionally was cast in films such as Scavenger Hunt (1979), Paradise (1982) and Zapped! (1982).

The star has also been candid about his past addiction and financial woes during the Great Recession which began in 2007.

And while he is still keeping busy in the industry, see the actor now at 65.

Willie Aames, who is known for his role in the series Eight is Enough, stepped out for a rare outing this week in Los Angeles; seen above (bottom right) on Eight Is Enough in 1977

The actor kicked off his entertainment career as a child star in the early 70s; seen above in 1979

Aames was seen on a rare excursion in L.A. on Wednesday as he sported a short-sleeved, black shirt and a pair of khaki shorts.

The star additionally slipped into a pair of comfy sneakers and carried a water bottle in his hand.

Beginning in 1984, the star took on the role of Buddy in the CBS sitcom titled Charles In Charge

'Then suddenly there was no job, no bank account, no wife, no child. I never dreamt it could happen that fast. I found myself virtually homeless.'

Aames expressed that he had to live with close pals but also 'slept in parking garages or slept in the park.'

'It was shameful. I remember laying underneath the bushes thinking, "Is this how it turns out? Is this how my life really turns out?"'

And while talking to Studio 10 in 2017, Aames

'I lost everything. At one point I went from eating at the White House to sleeping in the bushes and brought myself back again.'

He continued, 'Nobody gave me a hand up. I mean, you know, I was sleeping in the bushes at the Hollywood Bowl at one point, homeless, lost everything.

'I had to sit there and go, "Get your BLEEP together. I mean what's the deal? Nobody is going to do it for you."' I had a choice.

'I could either start over at 47...or choose to be a victim. So, what did I do? I became your favourite celebrity satellite installer and I learnt a trade, and then I went to work on a cruise ship.'

'It was shameful. I remember laying underneath the bushes thinking, "Is this how it turns out? Is this how my life really turns out?"' he recalled; seen in 2019 in L.A.

Aames told People in 2023, 'When I started my life over at 48, I had to learn everything new again. I had to learn who I was again. I had to get over all of the past mistakes.'

The actor was previously married to Vicki Weatherman from 1979 until their divorce five years later. The pair also share a son named Christopher.

He later tied the knot with second wife Maylo McCaslin in 1986 and they welcomed a child named Harleigh Jean. Their divorce took place in 2009.

Aames later married Winnie Hung in 2014 after they were initially pen pals for years. He is also set to celebrate his 66th birthday next month on July 15.

80s actor Willie Aames, star of Eight Is Enough and Charles in Charge, hit rock bottom after fame... see him now at 65

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