Willie Aames

Albert William Upton (born July 15, 1960), known professionally as Willie Aames, is an American actor, film and television director, television producer, and screenwriter.

He is widely known for playing Tommy Bradford, one of the children of Tom Bradford (played by Dick Van Patten), on the 1970s television series Eight Is Enough, TJ Latimer in Family, Buddy Lembeck on the 1980s sitcom Charles in Charge, and the title character in the direct-to-video series Bibleman (1995–2003). He is also credited as Willie Ames.

Early life Aames was born in Newport Beach, California, in 1960. He attended Edison High School in Huntington Beach, California, and he was in both the choir and the Madrigal Ensemble.

Career Aames began acting in the late 1960s as a child, appearing in shows such as Gunsmoke, The Wonderful World of Disney, Adam-12, and The Courtship of Eddie's Father. In 1971, he originated the role of Leonard Unger, the son of Felix Unger (Tony Randall), on the ABC-TV series The Odd Couple, a part that was later played by Leif Garrett. The following year, he provided the voice of the character of Jamie Boyle in the animated series Wait Till Your Father Gets Home.

He guest-starred on various television series, including The Waltons. In 1974, he portrayed a 12-year-old Benjamin Franklin in the miniseries Benjamin Franklin. The next year, he co-starred in the series The Swiss Family Robinson.

In 1977, he landed the role of Tommy Bradford in the comedy-drama Eight Is Enough. During this period, he played in a band called Willie Aames & Paradise, in which he was lead singer/guitarist. Formed while Aames was in junior high school, the group eventually landed a recording contract with CBS Custom Label. During this time, Aames appeared in his first movie role, Scavenger Hunt. After the series ended in 1981, Aames appeared in more film roles, including Zapped! with Scott Baio and Paradise with Phoebe Cates.

Before portraying the role of Buddy Lembeck in Charles in Charge in 1984, Aames played the character of Robbie Hamlin on the ABC soap opera The Edge of Night. From 1983 to 1985, he was the voice of Hank on the cartoon Dungeons & Dragons. After the end of Charles in Charge in 1990, Aames hosted the game show The Krypton Factor.

Aames starred as Bibleman in the direct-to-video Christian superhero series from 1995 to 2003.

In 2010, Aames's career changed direction when he began working as a cruise director for Regent Seven Seas Cruises. He also worked for Oceania Cruises and Viking (Ocean) Cruises, then returned to acting in 2016.

In 2024, Aames starred in the Karen Lam directed dark comedy Armageddon Road which takes place in Las Vegas in 1976.

Personal life Aames is a Christian. He has been married three times. Aames married Vicki Weatherman in 1979, having one child, Christopher. He married Maylo McCaslin in 1986, having one child, Harleigh Jean. Aames married Winnie Hung in 2014.

Aames has battled alcohol addiction. He admitted to cutting himself following guilt over stealing a bottle of whiskey from his landlord. In 2009, following the repossession of his car, Aames hosted a garage sale in Olathe, Kansas, to sell off memorabilia and autographs, which was attended by fans as well as those in similar situations from the Great Recession.

Filmography

+ Film Year Film RoleNotes 1979 Scavenger Hunt Kenny Stevens 1982 Paradise David Zapped! Peyton Nichols 1984 Tony Alternative title: Killing Machine 1985Cut and Run Tommy Allo Alternative title: Amazon: Savage Adventure 2003 The Missy Files Direct-to-videoDirector, writer Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star Himself 2020 Bottle Monster George