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Saturday, June 3, 2023

Danny Bonaduce of the Partridge Family faces brain surgery

Danny Bonaduce of Partridge Family fame is struggling with a severe health issue.  The former child star has been diagnosed with hydrophalus, a neurological disorder that is caused by fluid in the brain.  It has affected his ability to walk.              

The 63-year-old radio host disclosed that he is booked for brain surgery on Monday, June 5.  A stent and a drainage port will be inserted into his brain.  "From what I hear, if the diagnosis is correct, it'll be 50 per cent better right [away}. But I'd rather be safe than sorry," Danny told TMZ,  "I don't wanna get my hopes up too much that I'll be cured."

Despite his rise to stardom on The Partridge Family, The Pennsylvania-born Bonaduce has not has an easy life, and he was arrested for criminal behaviour in the early 1990s.  By his own account, Danny's family was dysfunctional, and he was physically and emotionally abused by his father, Joseph Bonaduce, a TV writer and producer.  In fact, Danny's mother on The Partridge Family, Shirley Jones, permitted him to stay at her place to avoid his unhappy home life.  Shirley once described Danny as "talented" but a troublemaker off-camera.  "He would do kid things like get a dish of food and throw it across the room or have a pillow fight," she said.

Below is a photo of Danny as the red-haired, impish Danny Partridge, the middle Partridge son.  He played bass guitar in the family band.

Danny in Partridge Family days

In March of 1990, Danny was arrested while attempting to purchase cocaine in Daytona Beach, Florida.  In March of 1991, he was arrested in Phoenix, Arizona for robbing and assaulting a transvestite.

Danny has a black belt in Tang Soo Do, a Korean martial art based on Karate.  As an adult, he has boxed in charitable events against Donny Osmond and former Brady Bunch star Barry Williams.  In January of 2009, Danny fought baseball's Jose Canseco in a charity event. They fought to a majority draw.  In April of 1994, Danny made his professional wrestling debut.


Danny has been married three times and divorced twice.  He married his current wife, Amy Railback, in 2010.  Amy manages his career and it was she who noticed that he was having difficulty walking and maintaining his balance.  His voice didn't sound right either.  

In April of 2022, Danny revealed via Instagram that he was walking with a cane.  He met with numerous doctors to figure out what was wrong.  A stroke was ruled out and he was finally diagnosed with a neurological disorder.

As to why his health has declined, Danny made the following comment to TMZ:  "I can't figure out what caused it, 'cause I've done so many stupid things on reality TV shows.  I took a guitar to the head.  That hurt - and was possibly the cause of all this.  I got punched in the face by Jose Canseco, a 265-pound professional athlete.  And by the way, I didn't hit the floor."

Danny Bonaduce's friends and fans hope that his brain surgery goes well.  Even with the surgery, however, Danny is aware that his life still won't return to normal.  "I'm never gonna run track.  I'm never gonna box again.  But if I can get from here to the kitchen on my own, bravo."


- Joanne

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