Willie Aames

Willie Aames (born Albert William Upton on July 15, 1960) is a former actor, producer & director best known for playing Tommy Bradford on Eight is Enough and Buddy Lembeck on Scott Baio's Charles in Charge.

Career
Aames began acting in the late 1960s as a child actor and appeared 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 voiced the character of Jamie Boyle in the animated series Wait till Your Father Gets Home. Aames has 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 Swiss Family Robinson.

In 1976, 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”, where 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 in Scavenger Hunt. After the series ended in 1981, Aames appeared in more film roles, including Zapped! opposite future Charles in Charge co-star 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.

Today he works as a cruise director Oceania and Regent Cruises.

Personal life
Aames has a son, Christopher, and a daughter, Harleigh Jean. On March 21, 2014, he married actress Winnie Hung after a fairy tale relationship that spanned nearly 30 years.

Show Hosted
The Krypton Factor

Show Appeared
To Tell the Truth