The Partridge Family creator Bernard Slade dies at 89, family confirm

The creator of hit TV series The Partridge Family, Bernard Slade, has died at the age of 89, his family have confirmed to People.

The Canadian writer and producer, who is widely credited with launching the careers of the sitcom’s biggest stars, David Cassidy, Shirley Jones and Susan Dey, was also well known for writing film Same Time, Next Year. He reportedly passed away at his home in Beverly Hills on Wednesday. Slade died due to complications of Lewy Body Dementia.

The producer pursued acting from a young age. After moving from England back to Canada, Slade then relocated to Hollywood in the mid-1960s and began to work at Screen Gems as a writer for television sitcoms, including Bewitched. He went on to write for major hits including Love on a Rooftop, The Flying Nun, Bridget Love Bernie, The Girl With Something Extra and of course The Partridge Family.

It was one of the most popular sitcoms of the 1970s, bringing families together to watch the latest drama and shenanigans involving the singing family that everyone loved. The success of The Partridge Family launched huge careers for the all-star cast too, with the late David Cassidy taking on one of the lead roles as eldest son Keith before going on to enjoy worldwide stardom on screen.

The TV hit focused on a widowed mother, played by actress Shirley Jones, and her five children – who joined forces to form a band that went on to tour around the country and enjoy surprising success. Tragically, much-loved actor Cassidy died in 2017 from liver failure after a battle with dementia – two years after his co-star and on-screen sister Suzanne Crough passed away after suffering from cardiomyopathy. Meanwhile, actor Dave Madden, who played the family’s manager Reuben Kincaid on the show, died in 2014 at the age of 82.

After the show ended, Slade went on to create Broadway’s Same Time, Next Year, starring Charles Grodin and Ellen Burstyn. He was nominated for an Oscar for his screen adaptation of the play.

Slade was married to Canadian actress Jill Foster for six decades until her death in 2017. He is survived by his sister Shirley Rabone, his two children, Laurie Newbound and Chris Newbound, and four grandchildren.

Theatrical publishing house Samuel French confirmed the sad news of Slade’s passing on Twitter, writing in a moving tribute: “It is with great sadness that we report Bernard Slade, author of Fatal Attraction and Same Time, Next Year, passed away this morning. His work from television to the stage brought joy to so many, and we send sincerest condolences to his friends and family.”