Let’s talk about Lani O’Grady of Eight is Enough

Do you think she was a Lezzie?

Did she know Kate Jackson?

No question about it, R1.

I think being closeted was behind at least part of her suffering.

Lani and her brother Don Grady were not Irish-American. They were Italian-Americans whose real name was Agrati.

There isn't much to say, as there isn't much info out there about her.

My mom was quick to tell a 6 yr old gayling that Mary Bradford was the lesbian of the Bradford household.

Was Mom a lez? Are you?

Lani was a great lady . She had terrible anxiety that often resulted in panic attacks. Dianne Kay said on a podcast , that Lani took on the nurturing mother role after Dianna Hyland passed on camera and off . Dianne said it was very rewarding and comforting for Lani . Betty B arrived and caused a lot of tension with her horrid mood swings . Dianne and Lani were very close friends

^ What podcast?

I liked her a lot. She really seemed to care about all of them (except Abbie)

I remember Willie Aames said she was very nice but as said above had anxiety as soon as the red light came on. She would ask the writers to not give her so many lines, which is the opposite of what most actors want. Reminds me of Estelle Getty asking the writers to give her lines to the other ladies.

Mary was pretty much everyone’s favorite Bradford, wasn’t she? Or was that just me?

I thought Mary was the most interesting character on the show. She was definitely my favorite.

So good in Massacre at Central High!

Lani came across as genuinely kind in 8 is Enough, as I recall. Had no idea she was Don’s sister. They like the numbered shows.

So much hotness in one family!

The talent agent character in Licorice Pizza is based on Don and Mary’s deal-life mother.

She’s #10 in this rundown.

She was very unusual

Stunning and brave.

Has Susan Dey commented?

Lani was one of the most talented Bradfords ever. She also had a lot of pain and struggle throughout her life. Despite that, she had a good heart, which is hard to encounter on Oak Street in Sacramento. At a time when gay people were oppressed beyond belief, they identified with her struggles and she theirs.

I found the character of Mary irritating. She continued to be an earnest hippie with no sense of humor into the '80s. Mary spent one entire episode shouting at her family to "BE QUIET!! CAN'T YOU SEE I'M TRYING TO STUDY?!? IF I FLUNK OUT IT WILL BE YOUR FAULT!!!!" to the point that Tom actually gave her $200 to move the fuck out.

She was not a likeable character.

Did any of the Bradford girls ever get recruited into prostitution, like Tootie did on Facts of Life?

That would be a Very Special Episode…

She reminded me of Geri Jewell - Blair's cousin from Facts of Life

Better than Susan Richardson…

R14 I still can't get over the first time I saw that movie on cable and Mary Bradford had her tits out.

My little brother always confused her with Jamie Lee Curtis and called her Halloween girl. Was it the husky voice? Androgynous features?

r28 Your brother is the one to ask - not us.

R23 a lot of teen lesbians wee like that in the late 70s

A friend of mine sat behind her and her husband at a Blue Oyster Cult concert around the time she was on the show. Said she was completely wasted and started pumping her fist in the air when they played "Fear the Reaper."