Lani O'Grady

A talent agent and former teen actress who was popular for her role in television's Eight Is Enough, Lani O'Grady later suffered disabling panic attacks which ultimately lead to substance abuse and agoraphobia.
Born Lanita Rose Agrati in Walnut, CA, O'Grady was exposed to the star scene early on through her mother's job as a Hollywood child agent. With brother Don taking the role of one of television's first Mouseketeers and co-starring in My Three Sons, it was only a matter of time before Lani was bitten by the acting bug as well. Changing her name after landing her role on Eight Is Enough, the fragile actress' shy demeanor was in stark contrast to her role as the confident eldest sister on the popular series. Suffering panic attacks at the age of 18, it wasn't long before she was abusing prescription drugs and turning to alcohol. Later suffering memory blackouts and isolating herself in her home, O'Grady began treatment in 1994 for a brain chemical imbalance.
In September 25, 2001, Lani O'Grady was discovered dead in her Valencia, CA, home. She was 46.

~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide