David Cassidy, the teen idol who soared to fame as the embodiment of 1970s youth in his role on "The Partridge Family," has died. He was 67 years old.
Cassidy's family said in a statement Tuesday night that "David died surrounded by those he loved, with joy in his heart and free from the pain that had gripped him for so long."
Cassidy played the wholesome Keith Partridge on "The Partridge Family," a sitcom about a widowed mother and five children who formed a bubblegum pop band. The popular show catapulted Cassidy to heartthrob status, and he toured the world to sing hits from it such as "I Think I Love You" before throngs of teen girls.
After serving as lead vocalist for multiple albums for the show, which aired for four seasons, Cassidy had a wildly successful breakout singing career on his own. His appearances garnered so much hysteria, media at the time referred to it as "Cassidymania."
Cassidy was born into the entertainment industry that made him a star.
His father was famed actor and singer Jack Cassidy, and his mother was actress Evelyn Ward.
After his parents split in 1956, the elder Cassidy married actress and singer Shirley Jones the same year.
Cassidy moved in with his father, Jones and his three half-brothers after getting his high school diploma in 1968. His father helped him launch his career as an actor and musician.
His early work included appearances on "Ironside," "Marcus Welby, M.D.," "Adam-12" and "Bonanza."
In 1970, Cassidy began playing the role of Keith Partridge on the musical sitcom "The Partridge Family." His stepmother, Jones, portrayed his mother, a widow with five children.
The popular ABC series ran for four years and also had a successful run in syndication.
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