This ’70s and ’80s teen idol gained fame with “Eight Is Enough” and “Charles in Charge.” However, his life unraveled as his marriage ended, leaving him homeless and estranged from his child.
This once-promising career began early, and by his teenage years, success seemed limitless. Reflecting on his meteoric rise in the co-authored book “Grace Is Enough,” the star divulged, “I did my first commercial at the age of nine, and by nineteen, I was making a million dollars a year — and doing a killer job of going through most of it.”
The actor on the set of “Eight Is Enough,” 1977 | Source: Getty Images
At the peak of his stardom on “Eight Is Enough,” the actor experienced significant personal milestones. In 1979, he married Victoria Averbach, and two years later, in 1981, they welcomed their son, Christopher Aames, their only child together.
The actor and Victoria Averbach on February 18, 1981 | Source: Getty Images
The couple’s marriage ended in 1984, marking the beginning of a devastating period for the actor. At the height of his success on “Eight Is Enough,” alongside Adam Rich whom he once referred to as his “little brother” and “lifelong friend,” the TV star earned just over a million dollars annually.
The actor posing for a portrait session on January 1, 1984, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
“Then suddenly there was no job, no bank account, no wife, no child. I never dreamt it could happen that fast,” the celebrity admitted. Struggling to survive, he revealed, “I found myself virtually homeless. I stayed with friends when I could, slept in parking garages or slept in the park.”
The actor attends Magic 106 Radio Station Spoiled Brat party on November 21, 1984, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
He described the experience as deeply shameful, recalling moments spent lying beneath bushes and questioning, “Is this how it turns out? Is this how my life really turns out?”
Willie Aames and family attend Hollywood All-Star Game on August 26, 1989, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
The struggles during this turbulent time took a heavy toll, with reports suggesting he may have reached a breaking point and attempted suicide. When looking back, he acknowledged, “I gave people a lot of cause for concern, and I think they acted on those concerns. I’m glad they did. Beyond that, that time period is a blur.”
The actor at the Hollywood All-Star Game on August 26, 1989, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
During this difficult period, he also battled addiction to drugs and alcohol. In an interview on “Studio 10,” he reflected on his struggles, emphasizing personal accountability, “The fact is, I made my own poor choices, and knew better, in most cases. And I paid the price for it.”
The actor at the CBS TV Affiliates party on May 11, 1983, in Century City, California. | Source: Getty Images
When asked happened, he candidly revealed, “I lost everything at one point. I went from eating at the White House to sleeping in the bushes.” The TV producer also disclosed that no one extended a helping hand during this time, leaving it up to him to turn his life around.
Faced with a turning point, he realized, “I had a choice. I could either start over at 47, or choose to be a victim.” Determined to rebuild, he took on various roles, starting as a satellite installer and learning to trade. Later, he joined a cruise ship crew, beginning humbly as a pingpong boy and steadily working his way up to become the cruise director.
The actor attends Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies and Mysteries on July 29, 2015 in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images
During his journey of rebuilding, he was also navigating personal changes in his life in his second marriage. He was married to actress Maylo McCaslin, whom he wed in 1986, and the couple welcomed a daughter, Harleigh Aames, before divorcing in 2009. She is also an actress.
The actor pictured during a garage sale on March 26, 2009, in Olathe, Kansas. | Source: Getty Images
By the 2000s, his financial struggles had reached a breaking point. Facing bankruptcy and foreclosure, he recalled having only $10 to his name with nowhere to turn. Desperate, he borrowed money to fly back to his Kansas City home, where he broke in and squatted as he worked to rebuild his life. To generate income, he placed an ad on Craigslist and began searching for work.
Eventually, he found an opportunity at Dish Network, though his fame initially made the company hesitant to hire him. After securing special permission from the corporate office in Colorado, he was hired at $8.60 per hour. During this time, the challenges of a second divorce added to his hardship, with his belongings, including trophies and memorabilia, being sold out of his home.
Reflecting on his journey of reinvention, Willie Aames acknowledged the immense challenges he faced. “When I started my life over at 48, I had to learn everything new again,” he shared in an interview. “I had to learn who I was again. I had to get over all of the past mistakes.”
The actor attends The Hollywood Show on January 7, 2017, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty ImagesAs Willie Aames worked to rebuild his life, he encountered countless rejections, including being turned down for a job as a wilderness guide. Eventually, he found work with a construction company, marking a small but meaningful step forward.
The actor at ABC’s “Battle of The Network Stars” on June 7, 2017 | Source: Getty Images
By 2010, he had reconnected with his daughter and was pursuing a new career path. “I never dreamed I would want to be or become a financial advisor,” he admitted, adding, “I am well on my way.”
The actor attends Chiller Theater Expo Winter 2017 on October 27, 2017, in Parsippany, New Jersey. | Source: Getty Images
Throughout his struggles, Willie found unwavering support in his son, Chris, whom he described as one of his closest allies. “[…] He’s one of the few people who didn’t give up on me.[…] We talk three times and text 10 times a day,” said the proud parent.
Willie Aames pictured on December 1, 2019, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
In June 2024, Willie honored his son with a heartfelt birthday tribute on Facebook, sharing a photo of the pair and writing, “Happy Birthday to my beautiful son, Chris. He is the man I most respect in my life. Integrity-filled, a talented composer, funny, and yes… handsome.”
Despite the challenges he faced, Willie reflected on his journey with gratitude, stating, “I consider my life one of the greatest lives lived.” Willie’s journey to love culminated in a story decades in the making.
He found his soulmate in actress Winnie Hung, a former fan and pen pal with whom he corresponded for over 30 years. Their connection began with a simple letter, leading to years of occasional chats and correspondence before they lost touch.
In his late forties, they reconnected through social media and decided to meet in person during a cruise stop in Vancouver. For Willie, it was an instant connection. “That afternoon, I took one look at her and I knew,” he recalled. He gifted her a charm engraved with “Fairytale,” urging her not to miss out on “your own real-life fairy tale.”
Winnie felt the timing was perfect, saying their years of correspondence had built trust. Willie agreed, reflecting, “Had I not gone through the ups and downs in my life that I did, I would not have been the right man for Winnie.” After their first meeting, he couldn’t stop thinking about her. He returned to Canada, where he told her, “I’m going to marry you.”
Ten months later, with her family’s approval, they married in 2014. Winnie reflected on the unexpected nature of their love, saying, “I never ever once thought it was even a possibility.”
Building on their extraordinary love story, Willie and Winnie found a way to share it with the world. They brought their journey to life through Hallmark’s “Love in the Limelight,” turning their real-life romance into an inspiring movie.
Willie Aames’ journey is a shining example of determination, love, and new beginnings, proving that even in life’s darkest moments, renewal is possible. Through his struggles and triumphs, he found lasting love and created a story worth sharing, both on and off-screen.
