Adam Rich’s cause of death revealed five months after untimely death

The Los Angeles Medical Examiner's office released a report stating that Rich's death on January 8th was accidental and caused by fentanyl. The actor was 54 years old when he was found dead in his home earlier this year. 

Though the initial cause of death was under investigation, law enforcement sources informed TMZ that there was no indication of any wrongdoing when they discovered his body.

Rich was most famous for playing Nicholas Bradford, the youngest child of Tom Bradford (Dick Van Patten) and his wife (Diana Hyland), on the 1970s TV series Eight Is Enough.

Willie Aames, who portrayed Rich’s brother on the sitcom, wrote an emotional post after the actor’s passing. "This morning [my wife] Winnie woke me with the heartbreaking news of Adam Rich's passing," he wrote. "I'm gutted. Adam was more than a colleague. He was very much my only little brother. A lifelong friend."

Rich’s on-screen stepmother Betty Buckley also remembered him following his untimely demise.

"Adam Rich was a light and my young pal for the four seasons I was blessed to work with him on Eight Is Enough. I adored him and loved working with him in our scenes together on the show. He was so sweet, funny, fresh and natural. He brought a lot of joy to all of us on the show and to our audiences. Adam and I have remained friends all of these years. His love and support have always meant a lot to me."