Hey there, friends! You might remember Betty Buckley as the warm and relatable Abby Bradford from the classic TV show Eight Is Enough. Betty joined the show in season two and stayed on until its fifth season, bringing her charm and talent to the screen. But what has she been up to since those days? Let's dive in and catch up with this incredible actress!
Betty Buckley's 'Eight Is Enough' Beginnings
Now, let me take you back to the late '70s. Betty Buckley made her debut on Eight Is Enough during the second season. She stepped into the role of Abby, Tom Bradford's love interest, after the heartbreaking loss of Diana Hyland, who played Joan Wells Bradford. Diana tragically passed away from breast cancer in 1977 at the young age of 41. Betty brought a fresh energy to the show, portraying Abby with a depth that resonated with audiences.
Abby and Tom's characters tied the knot, and Abby became the stepmom to Tom's children. It was a role that demanded a lot of heart, and Betty delivered it beautifully.
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Before her time on Eight Is Enough, Betty was already making waves in the entertainment world. In 1976, she appeared in the iconic film Carrie. She also graced the small screen with her presence in a 1977 episode of Ryan's Hope and the TV movie The Rubber Gun Squad. But her love for the stage was undeniable. Betty was a star on Broadway, starring in shows like 1776 and many other theatrical productions.
Betty shared her journey into show business with The Pioneer Woman in January 2015. "My mother, who had been a singer-dancer, had an extensive record collection, including Broadway cast albums, and I learned to sing by listening to all the great lady singers," she explained. "I was desperate to be in Bye Bye Birdie when I was a kid. I could do the whole show." Betty's passion for performing was evident from a young age.
"At 15, I made my professional debut as Dainty June in Gypsy. Later that summer, I danced in West Side Story," she continued. "There wasn’t a role for me – I danced the part of Baby John’s girl at the ‘Dance at the Gym’ – but I memorized the entire score. I could sing everyone’s part, the orchestrations too. I did two summers at Six Flags Over Texas in the Campus Revue and later the Crazy Horse Saloon. In the summers following, I did some great shows at Casa Manana in Fort Worth and for two summers, I performed several shows a day at Six Flags Over Texas."
In the same interview, Betty reflected fondly on her time portraying Abby. "If people love Abby Bradford, that makes me happy. Abby is like a younger sister, and I love her a lot," she said. "As an actress, I’m a portrait painter, and Abby is one of my favorite portraits I’ve had the opportunity to do. I knew her very well – the American housewife trying to balance serving her family with her own aspirations. She was a great character."
Where Is Betty Buckley Now?
When Eight Is Enough wrapped up its five-season run in 1981, Betty continued to build her impressive career. She took on roles in films like Evergreen and Another Woman, as well as TV series such as L.A. Law and Square One Television. From 2001 to 2003, the Texas-born star played Suzanne Fitzgerald on the critically acclaimed series Oz.
Throughout the 2000s, Betty kept busy with roles in popular shows like Pretty Little Liars, Split, Preacher, Supergirl, The Cleaning Lady, and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Most recently, Betty played Cynthia in the 2025 film By Design.
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Beyond acting, Betty is also a talented singer with multiple albums under her belt. Her most recent album, Hope, was released in 2018.
In March 2024, Betty opened up about some of the challenges she faced while negotiating her role on Eight Is Enough. "The first season they promised me this character who was getting her doctorate and drove an old green MG, and they made her sound like this really interesting modern person," she recalled in an interview with People. However, she noted that things didn't quite turn out that way.
"They put me in a muumuu and put me in the kitchen. And so I was like, 'You guys, this is pre-1950s. Come on,'" she added with a laugh. It's clear that Betty wasn't afraid to stand up for her character and bring authenticity to her role.
Betty's on-screen stepkids were only a few years
