Editing David Cassidy

{{Short description|American actor and musician (1950–2017)}}
{{For|the historian|David C. Cassidy}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox person
| name = David Cassidy
| image = David Cassidy op Schiphol, Bestanddeelnr 926-2560 (cropped).jpg
| caption = Cassidy in 1973
| birth_name = David Bruce Cassidy
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1950|04|12}}
| birth_place = [[New York City]], U.S.
| death_date = {{nowrap|{{Death date and age|2017|11|21|1950|04|12}}}}
| death_place = [[Fort Lauderdale, Florida]], U.S.
| years_active = 1968–2017
| occupation = {{flatlist|
* Actor
* singer
* songwriter
* musician
}}
| spouse             = {{unbulleted list|{{marriage|[[Kay Lenz]]|1977|1983|end=div}}|{{marriage|Meryl Tanz|1984|c. 1988|end=div}}|{{marriage|Sue Shifrin|1991|2016|reason= divorced}}}}
| children = 2, including
[[Katie Cassidy]]
| parents = {{Plainlist|
*[[Jack Cassidy]]
*[[Evelyn Ward]]}}
| family = {{Plainlist|
* [[Shaun Cassidy]] (half-brother)
* [[Patrick Cassidy (actor)|Patrick Cassidy]] (half-brother)
* Ryan Cassidy (half-brother) }}
| module = {{Infobox musical artist
| embed = yes
| genre = {{hlist|[[Pop music|Pop]]|[[Rock music|rock]]}}
| instrument = {{flatlist|
* Vocals
* guitar
* piano
}}
| label = {{flatlist|
* [[Bell Records|Bell]]
* [[Curb Records|Curb]]
* [[Arista Records|Arista]]
* [[Enigma Records|Enigma]]
* [[RCA Records|RCA]]
* Slamajama Records
* [[Scotti Brothers Records|Scotti Bros.]]
* Starblend Records
* [[Universal Music]]
}}
| past_member_of = [[The Partridge Family]]
| website         = {{URL|davidcassidy.com}}
}}
}}

'''David Bruce Cassidy'''<ref name=TCM /> (April 12, 1950 – November 21, 2017) was an American actor and musician. He was best known for his role as Keith Partridge, the son of Shirley Partridge (played by his real-life stepmother, actress [[Shirley Jones]]), in the 1970s musical-sitcom ''[[The Partridge Family]]''. This role catapulted Cassidy to [[teen idol]] status as a superstar [[Pop music|pop]] singer of the 1970s.

Raised primarily by his maternal grandparents Frederick and Ethel Ward in [[West Orange, New Jersey]], Cassidy was later informed of his parents [[Jack Cassidy]] and [[Evelyn Ward]]'s divorce, which had happened two years prior without his knowledge. After completing high school, Cassidy pursued acting and music, moving into his father and stepmother's home in [[Irvington, New York]]. His career took off after signing with [[Universal Pictures|Universal Studios]] in 1969, leading to roles in several TV series. His major breakthrough came in 1970 as Keith Partridge on ''The Partridge Family'', which propelled him to teen idol status. Despite the show's success, Cassidy sought to break free from his idol image, leading to a diverse solo music career with hits in the UK and Australia, and a tumultuous life marked by public and personal challenges.

Cassidy's personal life was complex, with multiple marriages, children from relationships, and struggles with alcohol. He became an advocate for [[Alzheimer's disease]] research, inspired by his family's history with the condition. Despite facing health and legal issues later in life, Cassidy continued performing until announcing his retirement in 2017, before his death later that year.

==Early life==
[[File:Jack Cassidy, Shirley Jones and David Cassidy.jpg|left|thumb|Cassidy (right) with his father, actor [[Jack Cassidy]] (left) and his stepmother [[Shirley Jones]] (center) in 1971]]
David Cassidy was born at [[Flower Fifth Avenue Hospital]] in [[New York City]], the son of singer and actor [[Jack Cassidy]] and actress [[Evelyn Ward]].<ref name=TCM>{{cite web| url = https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/797124%7C0/David-Cassidy/| title=David Cassidy| publisher=[[Turner Classic Movies]]| access-date=February 28, 2017| archive-date= February 28, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228201628/http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/797124%7C0/David-Cassidy/| url-status=live|quote=David Bruce Cassidy was born on April 12, 1950, at Manhattan's Flower Fifth Avenue Hospital (now the Terence Cardinal Cook Healthcare Center) on Upper Fifth Avenue.}}</ref><ref name="biography.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.biography.com/people/david-cassidy-307308|title=David Cassidy Biography: Television Actor, Singer (1950–)|publisher=[[Biography (TV series)|Biography.com]] ([[FYI (U.S. TV network)|FYI]]/[[A&E Networks]])|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170105112252/http://www.biography.com/people/david-cassidy-307308|archive-date=January 5, 2017|url-status=dead|access-date=February 28, 2017}}</ref> His father was of half [[Irish people|Irish]] and half [[Germans|German]] ancestry, and his mother was descended mostly from [[British Americans|Colonial Americans]], along with having some Irish and [[Switzerland|Swiss]] roots.<ref name="hdugdp">{{cite news |last=Smolenyak |first=Megan |date=March 7, 2011 |title=Should David Cassidy Have Let His Roots Show on Celebrity Apprentice? |work=The Huffington Post |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/megan-smolenyak-smolenyak/should-david-cassidy-have_b_832283.html |access-date=May 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220206062835/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/should-david-cassidy-have_b_832283 |archive-date=February 6, 2022 |quote=Aside from a dash of Swiss and a little more Irish, this part of Cassidy's tree marches steadily back in New Jersey for generations. In fact, some of his ancestors were among the founders of Newark.}}</ref> His mother's ancestors were among the founders of [[Newark, New Jersey]].<ref name=hdugdp/>

As his parents were frequently touring on the road, he spent his early years being raised by his maternal grandparents Frederick and Ethel Ward in a middle-class neighborhood in [[West Orange, New Jersey]].<ref name="Get Happy">{{cite book |last1=Cassidy |first1=David |last2=Deffaa |first2=Chip|title=C'mon, Get Happy ... Fear and Loathing on the Partridge Family Bus |year=1994|publisher=Warner Books |location=New York |isbn=978-0-446-39531-1 |page=1}}</ref> In 1958, he found out from neighbors' children that his parents had been divorced for more than two years and had not told him.<ref>''C'mon, Get Happy'', p. 4</ref>

In 1956, Cassidy's father married singer and actress [[Shirley Jones]]. They had three children, David's half-brothers [[Shaun Cassidy|Shaun]] (b. 1958), [[Patrick Cassidy (actor)|Patrick]] (b. 1962), and Ryan (b. 1966). In 1968, after completing one final session of summer school to obtain credits necessary to get a high school diploma, David moved into the rental home of Jack Cassidy and Shirley Jones in [[Irvington, New York]], where his half-brothers also lived.<ref>''C'mon, Get Happy'', p. 35</ref> Cassidy remained there, seeking fame as an actor/musician, while simultaneously working half-days in the mailroom of a textile firm.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/naked-lunch-box-19720511|title=David Cassidy: Naked Lunch Box|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=October 4, 2015|date=May 11, 1972|archive-date=October 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151004003214/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/naked-lunch-box-19720511|url-status=dead}}</ref> He moved out when his career began to flourish.

Cassidy's father, Jack, is credited with setting his son up with his first manager. After David Cassidy signed with [[Universal Pictures|Universal Studios]] in 1969, Jack introduced him to former table tennis champion and close friend [[Ruth Aarons]], who later found her niche as a talent manager, given her theater background.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ruth Aarons |url=http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Table-Tennis/USATT/Hall-of-Fame/Profiles/Ruth-Aarons.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120621165659/https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Table-Tennis/USATT/Hall-of-Fame/Profiles/Ruth-Aarons.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 21, 2012 |publisher=Team USA }}</ref> Aarons had represented Jack and Shirley Jones for several years and later represented Cassidy's half-brother Shaun. Aarons became an authority figure and close friend to Cassidy and was the driving force behind his on-screen success. After Cassidy made small wages from [[Screen Gems]] for his work on ''[[The Partridge Family]]'' during season one, Aarons discovered that he had been underage when he signed his contract; she then renegotiated the contract with far superior provisions and a rare four-year term.<ref name="Cassidy 2007">{{cite book|last=Cassidy|first=David|title=Could it be Forever? My Story|year=2007|publisher=Headline Publishing Group|location=London|isbn=9780755315796|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/coulditbeforever0000cass}}</ref>

==Career==
===1960s===
On January 2, 1969, Cassidy made his professional debut in the [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] musical ''[[The Fig Leaves Are Falling]]''. It closed after four performances,<ref name=happy43>''C'mon, Get Happy'', p. 43</ref> but a casting director saw the show and asked Cassidy to make a screen test. In 1969, he moved to [[Los Angeles]].<ref name="happy43" /> After signing with Universal Studios in 1969, Cassidy was featured in episodes of the television series ''[[Ironside (1967 TV series)|Ironside]]'', ''[[Marcus Welby, M.D.]]'', ''[[Adam-12]]'', ''[[Medical Center (TV series)|Medical Center]]'', and ''[[Bonanza]]''.<ref name="TVGuide">{{cite magazine |date= |title=David Cassidy |url=http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/david-cassidy/credits/146368/ |magazine=[[TV Guide]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205233421/https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/david-cassidy/credits/3000054927/ |archive-date=February 5, 2022 |access-date=May 20, 2020}}</ref>

===1970s===
[[File:The Partridge Family David Cassidy 1970.jpg|thumb|David Cassidy in a publicity photo for [[The Partridge Family]] in 1970|196x196px]][[File:Partridge Family first cast 1970.JPG|thumb|left|''The Partridge Family'', season 1. L-R: [[Shirley Jones]], Jeremy Gelbwaks, [[Suzanne Crough]], [[Susan Dey]], [[Danny Bonaduce]] and Cassidy.]]
In 1970, Cassidy took the role of Keith Partridge on the musical television show ''The Partridge Family'' produced by Screen Gems. After demonstrating his singing talent, Cassidy was allowed to join the studio ensemble as the lead singer. (He and his stepmother Shirley Jones who portrayed his on-screen mother Shirley Partridge were the only TV cast members to appear on any Partridge Family recordings.)<ref name="Cmon">{{cite book| title= C'mon, Get Happy: Fear and Loathing on the Partridge Family Bus| first1= David| last1= Cassidy | first2= Chip| last2= Deffaa| author-link2= Chip Deffaa| year= 1994| publisher= DBC Enterprises, [[Warner Books]] Inc.| isbn= 9780446395311}}</ref>

The show proved popular, but the fame took its toll on Cassidy. In the midst of his rise to fame, Cassidy felt stifled by the show and trapped by the mass hysteria surrounding his every move.<ref name="Cmon" />{{rp|92–95}} In May 1972, to alter his public image, he appeared nude on the cover of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' in a cropped [[Annie Leibovitz]] photo;<ref name="Cmon" />{{rp|167}} among other things, the accompanying ''Rolling Stone'' article mentioned that Cassidy was riding around New York in the back of a car "[[Substance intoxication|stoned]] and drunk."<ref>{{cite magazine |date=May 11, 1972 |first=Robin |last= Green |author-link=Robin Green |title=Naked Lunch Box |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/david-cassidy-naked-lunch-box-178864/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002090902/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/david-cassidy-naked-lunch-box-178864/ |archive-date=October 2, 2020 |access-date=August 22, 2023}}</ref>

Once "[[I Think I Love You]]"—the first single released by The Partridge Family [[Pop music|pop]] group—became a hit, Cassidy began work on solo albums, including [[Cherish (David Cassidy album)|''Cherish'']] and [[Rock Me Baby (album)|''Rock Me Baby'']], both released in 1972. Within the first year, he had produced his own single, a cover of [[The Association|The Association's]] "[[Cherish (The Association song)|Cherish]]" (from the album of the same title); the song reached number nine on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] in the United States, number two in the United Kingdom (a [[double A-side]] with "Could It Be Forever"), and number one in Australia and New Zealand. He began tours that featured ''The'' ''Partridge Family'' tunes and his own hits.

Cassidy achieved far greater solo chart success in the UK than in his native America, including a cover of [[The Young Rascals|The Young Rascals']] "[[How Can I Be Sure]]" and the [[double A-side]] single "[[Daydreamer (1973 song)|Daydreamer]]" / "[[The Puppy Song]]" – a UK number one which failed to chart in the States. In Britain, Cassidy the solo star remains best known for "Daydreamer", "How Can I Be Sure" and "Could It Be Forever" ([[UK singles chart|UK]] number 2/US number 37), all released during his 1972–73 solo chart peak.

After launching his solo musical career, he was for a short time the highest paid entertainer in the world. At the peak of his career, Cassidy's [[fan club]] was larger than that of any other musical group or pop star, including [[The Beatles]] or [[Elvis Presley]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=9 things you (probably) didn't know about David Cassidy – National {{!}} Globalnews.ca |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/3874613/things-you-didnt-know-about-david-cassidy/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810225418/https://globalnews.ca/news/3874613/things-you-didnt-know-about-david-cassidy/ |archive-date=August 10, 2022 |access-date=August 10, 2022 |website=Global News |language=en-US}}</ref> A fictionalized version of him starred in the [[fan magazine]] ''David Cassidy''. Many of its issues were signed by Turkish comics creator Su Gumen.<ref>{{Cite book |author=Time |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_T8EAAAAMBAJ&dq=david+cassidy+solo&pg=PA71 |title=Life |date=October 29, 1971 |publisher=Time Inc |pages=71 |language=en}}</ref> In a 1993 interview, Cassidy said that he was frustrated by his portrayal in the magazines, which sanitized his image. His fan club nicknamed a star after him in the [[International Star Registry]] in 1983.<ref>{{Cite web |title=David Cassidy Fans – Fan's Tales New York |url=https://www.starregistry.com/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810225415/http://www.davidcassidy.com/fansite/FansPages/FansTalesNY2.html |archive-date=August 10, 2022 |access-date=August 10, 2022 |website=www.davidcassidy.com}}</ref> In his autobiography, Cassidy said that he felt overwhelmed by his fanbase, and said that "it became impossible for me to go in a store or even walk down the street without being stopped by people."<ref>{{Cite book |last=Cassidy |first=David |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8JkzAgAAQBAJ&dq=david+cassidy+fan+magazine&pg=PT79 |title=Could It Be Forever? My Story |date=2012 |publisher=Headline |isbn=978-0-7553-6468-8 |language=en}}</ref>

Though he wanted to become a respected [[Rock music|rock]] musician along the lines of [[Mick Jagger]], his channel to stardom launched him into the ranks of [[teen idol]], a brand he loathed until much later in life, when he managed to come to terms with his pop idol beginnings. Ten albums by ''The Partridge Family'' and five solo albums by Cassidy were produced during the series, with most selling more than a million copies each.[[File:David Cassidy tijdens de opnames - NA - 928-0296.jpg|thumb|upright|Cassidy performing in 1975]] Internationally, Cassidy's solo career eclipsed the already phenomenal success of ''The Partridge Family''. He became an instant drawing card, with sellout concert successes in major arenas around the world. These concerts produced mass hysteria, resulting in the media coining the term "Cassidymania". For example, he played to two sellout crowds of 56,000 each at the [[Houston]] [[Astrodome]] in Texas over one weekend in 1972.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.news.google.com/newspapers?id=ydgRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=a-0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6929,863578&dq=david+cassidy&realname=The_%27new%27_David_Cassidy_steps_out | title = The 'new' David Cassidy steps out | date = August 16, 1975 | access-date = August 3, 2009}}{{dead link|date=January 2014}}</ref> His concert in New York's [[Madison Square Garden]] sold out in one day and resulted in riots after the show.<ref>{{cite news |last=Heckman |first=Don |date=March 12, 1972 |title=Cassidy is Focus of New Pop Trend; "Partridge FAMILY" Star Puts Sensuality Into Singing |work=The New York Times |url=http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F10716FC3F5E127A93C0A81788D85F468785F9&realname=CASSIDY_IS_FOCUS_OF_NEW_POP_TREND |access-date=August 3, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180101191852/http://www.nytimes.com/1972/03/12/archives/cassidy-is-focus-of-new-pop-trend-partridge-family-star-puts.html |archive-date=January 1, 2018}}</ref> His concert tours of the United Kingdom included sellout concerts at [[Wembley Arena]] in 1973.<ref name="Cassidy 2007"/> In Australia in 1974, the mass hysteria was such that calls were made to have him deported from the country, especially after the madness at his 33,000-person audience concert at [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]].<ref>{{cite web | url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=BJ0QAAAAIBAJ&pg=4741,3108448&dq=david+cassidy+concert&realname=More_Control_Urged_At_Future_Pop_Concerts | title = More Control Urged At Future Pop Concerts | date = March 13, 1974 | work = The Age | access-date = August 3, 2009 }}{{Dead link|date=January 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=yjUQAAAAIBAJ&pg=7198,3795659&dq=david+cassidy+concert | title = David Cassidy is a Health Hazard | date = March 13, 1974 | work = Ellensburg Daily Record | access-date = January 11, 2014 }}{{Dead link|date=January 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

A turning point in Cassidy's live concerts (while still filming ''The Partridge Family'') was a gate stampede at the penultimate show on a world tour, in [[London]]'s [[White City Stadium]] on May 26, 1974, when nearly 800 people were injured in a crush at the front of the stage. Thirty were taken to the hospital, and a 14-year-old girl, Bernadette Whelan, died four days later at London's [[Hammersmith Hospital]] without regaining consciousness.<ref>''C'mon, Get Happy'', pp. 188–190</ref>

A deeply affected Cassidy faced the press, trying to make sense of what had happened. Out of respect for the family and to avoid turning Whelan's funeral into a media circus, Cassidy did not attend the service, although he spoke to Whelan's parents and sent flowers. Cassidy stated at the time that this would haunt him until the day he died.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=tEAQAAAAIBAJ&pg=6711,8285917&dq=david+cassidy | title = Cassidy Concert, Girl 14 Dies | date = May 30, 1974 | work = The Age | access-date = January 11, 2014 }}{{Dead link|date=January 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=TlEVAAAAIBAJ&pg=1810,10309348&dq=bernadette+whelan&realname=Cassidy_Fan_Dies | title = Cassidy Fan Dies | date = May 31, 1974 | work = The Sydney Morning Herald | access-date = August 3, 2009 }}{{Dead link|date=January 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=May 23, 1999 |title=Crushed To Death at a David Cassidy Concert |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/crushed-to-death-at-a-david-cassidy-concert-1095281.html |access-date=August 3, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109003320/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/crushed-to-death-at-a-david-cassidy-concert-1095281.html |archive-date=November 9, 2020}}</ref>

{{Quote box|align=right|width=25%|I'm exploited by people who put me on the back of cereal boxes. I asked my housekeeper to go and buy a certain kind of cereal and when she came home, there was a huge picture of me on the back. I can't even eat breakfast without seeing my face.
—''[[NME|New Musical Express]],'' October 1972.<ref name="NME Rock 'N' Roll Years">{{cite book
| first= John
| last= Tobler
| year= 1992
| title= NME Rock 'N' Roll Years
| edition= 1st
| publisher= Reed International Books Ltd
| location= London
| page= 243
| id= CN 5585}}</ref>}}
By this point, Cassidy had decided to quit both touring and acting in ''The Partridge Family'', concentrating instead on recording and songwriting. International success continued, mostly in Great Britain, Germany, Japan and South Africa, when he released three well-received solo albums and several hit singles on [[RCA]] in 1975 and 1976. Cassidy became the first recording artist to have a hit with "[[I Write the Songs]]", peaking at No. 11 in the Top 30 in Great Britain before the song became [[Barry Manilow]]'s signature tune. Cassidy co-produced the recording with the song's author-composer, [[Bruce Johnston]] of [[The Beach Boys]]. The two artists collaborated on two of Cassidy's mid-70s RCA Records albums ''[[The Higher They Climb (album)|The Higher They Climb]]'' and ''[[Home Is Where the Heart Is (David Cassidy album)|Home Is Where the Heart Is]]''.

In 1978, Cassidy starred in an episode of ''[[Police Story (1973 TV series)|Police Story]]'' titled "A Chance to Live", for which he was nominated for a [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series]] at the [[30th Primetime Emmy Awards]].<ref>{{cite web |title=David Cassidy – Television Academy |url=https://www.emmys.com/bios/david-cassidy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230118083711/https://www.emmys.com/bios/david-cassidy |archive-date=January 18, 2023}}</ref> [[NBC]] created a series based on it, called ''[[David Cassidy: Man Undercover]]'', but it was cancelled after one season. A decade later, the successful [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] series ''[[21 Jump Street]]'' used the same plot, with different youthful-looking police officers infiltrating a high school.{{citation needed|date=December 2018}}

===1980s===
Cassidy later stated he was broke by the 1980s, despite being successful and highly paid.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/02/21/david-cassidy-says-has-dementia-day-appearing-fall-stage-concert/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/02/21/david-cassidy-says-has-dementia-day-appearing-fall-stage-concert/ |archive-date=January 12, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=David Cassidy says he has dementia a day after appearing to fall off stage during concert|first=David|last=Millward|date=February 21, 2017|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In 1985, music success continued with the [[Arista Records|Arista]] release of the single "The Last Kiss" (number six in the United Kingdom), with backing vocals by [[George Michael]], which was included on the album ''[[Romance (David Cassidy album)|Romance]]''. These went gold in Europe and Australia, and Cassidy supported them with a sellout tour of the United Kingdom, which resulted in the ''Greatest Hits Live'' compilation of 1986. Michael cited Cassidy as a major career influence and interviewed Cassidy for David Litchfield's ''[[Ritz Newspaper]]''.<ref>{{cite news |first=David |last=Litchfield |work=[[Ritz Newspaper]] |issue=100 |title=David Cassidy by George Michael |pages=16–19 |year=1985 |quote=The interview between DAVID and GEORGE first took place over lunch at Pier 31 Restaurant, at which they both got rather inebriated...}}</ref>

Cassidy performed in musical theater. In 1981, he toured in a revival of a pre-Broadway production of ''[[Little Johnny Jones]],'' a show originally produced in 1904 with music, lyrics, and book by [[George M. Cohan]]. (The show is excerpted in the 1942 biographic film ''[[Yankee Doodle Dandy]]'', when [[James Cagney]] as Cohan sings "[[Give My Regards to Broadway]]" and "[[The Yankee Doodle Boy]]".) However, Cassidy received negative reviews, and he was replaced by another former teen idol, [[Donny Osmond]],<ref>''C'mon, Get Happy'', p. 221</ref> before the show reached Broadway.<ref>{{cite web|author=The Broadway League |url=http://ibdb.com/production.php?id=4164 |title=''Little Johnny Jones'' (1982 revival) |publisher=Internet Broadway Database |date=March 21, 1982 |access-date=October 14, 2010}}</ref> Cassidy, in turn, was himself a replacement for Doug Voet as the lead character [[Joseph (Genesis)|Joseph]] in the original 1982 Broadway production of ''[[Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat]].''<ref>{{cite web |title=''Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat'' cast replacements |url=http://ibdb.com/productionreplacements.asp?ID=4158 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322192242/https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/little-johnny-jones-4164 |archive-date=March 22, 2022 |access-date=October 14, 2010 |publisher=Internet Broadway Database}}</ref> Cassidy also appeared in London's [[West End theatre|West End]] production of ''[[Time (musical)|Time]]'' and returned to Broadway in ''[[Blood Brothers (musical)|Blood Brothers]]'' alongside [[Petula Clark]] and his half-brother Shaun Cassidy.<ref>{{cite web |last=Hetrick |first=Adam |date=November 22, 2017 |title=David Cassidy, Partridge Family Star With Broadway Roots, Dies at 67 |url=https://www.playbill.com/article/david-cassidy-partridge-family-star-with-broadway-roots-dies-at-67 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221113143257/https://www.playbill.com/article/david-cassidy-partridge-family-star-with-broadway-roots-dies-at-67 |archive-date=November 13, 2022 |access-date=September 4, 2021 |website=Playbill}}</ref>

===Later career===
[[File:David Cassidy Baltimore.jpg|upright|thumb|Cassidy in 1995]]

Cassidy returned to the American top 40 with his 1990 single "Lyin' to Myself", released on [[Enigma Records]], from his 1990 album ''[[David Cassidy (album)|David Cassidy]]'', followed by the 1992 album ''[[Didn't You Used to Be...]]'' on [[Scotti Brothers Records]].{{citation needed|date=December 2018}} In 1998, he had an [[adult contemporary music]] hit with "No Bridge I Wouldn't Cross" from his album ''[[Old Trick New Dog]]'' on his own Slamajamma Records label.<ref>{{Cite web |title=98o And Rising FEATURES THE PLATINUM HIT BECAUSE OF YOU" & THE NEW SMASH SINGLE "THE HARDES- THING" |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Archive-RandR/1990s/1999/RR-1999-02-19.pdf}}</ref>

Along with Cassidy's single "Lyin' to Myself", 1990 was also the year he starred as the lead of the motion picture comedy, ''[[The Spirit of '76 (1990 film)|The Spirit of '76]]'', where he played Adam-11, a man from the future who arrived in the US in the year 1976 on a mission to find the US Constitution.<ref>{{Citation |last=Reiner |first=Lucas |title=The Spirit of '76 |date=October 12, 1990 |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0100670/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1 |type=Comedy, Sci-Fi |access-date=July 14, 2023 |others=Mark Mothersbaugh, Gerald Casale, Carl Reiner |publisher=Black Diamond Productions, Castle Rock Entertainment, Commercial Pictures (I)}}</ref> It was also the year he appeared as a main character in the romantic drama ''[[Instant Karma (film)|Instant Karma]]''.<ref>{{Citation |last=Taylor |first=Roderick |title=Instant Karma |date=April 27, 1990 |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099849/?ref_=nm_flmg_t_16_act |type=Drama, Romance |access-date=July 14, 2023 |others=Craig Sheffer, Annette Sinclair, Orson Bean |publisher=Desert Wind, Rosenbloom Entertainment}}</ref>

From November 1996 to December 1998, Cassidy starred in the [[Las Vegas]] show ''[[EFX (show)#David Cassidy version, 1996|EFX]]'' at the [[MGM Grand Las Vegas]].<ref>{{cite news |author=Schorr |first=Melissa |date=October 8, 1998 |title=David Cassidy to depart MGM's 'EFX' |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/1998/oct/08/david-cassidy-to-depart-mgms-efx/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306043951/https://lasvegassun.com/news/1998/oct/08/david-cassidy-to-depart-mgms-efx/ |archive-date=March 6, 2019 |access-date=March 3, 2019 |newspaper=[[Las Vegas Sun]]}}</ref> In 2000, Cassidy wrote and appeared in the Las Vegas show ''At the Copa'' with [[Sheena Easton]], as both the young and old versions of the lead character, Johnny Flamingo.{{citation needed|date=December 2018}} His 2001 album ''[[Then and Now (David Cassidy album)|Then and Now]]'' went platinum internationally and returned Cassidy to the top five of the [[UK Albums Chart|UK album charts]] for the first time since 1974.{{citation needed|date=December 2018}}

In 2005, Cassidy played Grant, the manager of [[Aaron Carter]]'s character J.D. McQueen in the film ''[[Popstar (film)|Popstar]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Popstar |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0426550/ |publisher=Tag Entertainment |date=November 8, 2005}}</ref> He co-starred alongside his half-brother Patrick in a short-lived 2009 [[Freeform (TV channel)|ABC Family]] comedy series titled ''[[Ruby & the Rockits]]'', a show created by their brother Shaun.<ref>{{cite news |date=February 1, 2009 |title=Cassidy Brothers' Comedy Among New ABC Family Shows |newspaper=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-abc/cassidy-brothers-comedy-among-new-abc-family-shows-idUSTRE50T1GS20090202 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127134917/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-abc/cassidy-brothers-comedy-among-new-abc-family-shows-idUSTRE50T1GS20090202 |archive-date=January 27, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=February 1, 2009 |title=I'm sorry, David Cassidy: You became the obsession of my seventh-grade English class |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/nation-now/2017/11/21/im-sorry-david-cassidy-you-became-obsession/887479001/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127160719/https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/nation-now/2017/11/21/im-sorry-david-cassidy-you-became-obsession/887479001/ |archive-date=January 27, 2022}}</ref> Cassidy was one of the contestants on the [[The Apprentice (American TV series) season 11|fourth season]] of ''[[The Celebrity Apprentice]]'' in 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://newslivestreaming.com/david-cassidy-celebrity-apprentice-2011-contestant/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110312223638/http://newslivestreaming.com/david-cassidy-celebrity-apprentice-2011-contestant/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 12, 2011 |title=newslivestreaming.com |publisher=newslivestreaming.com |access-date=August 25, 2015 }}</ref>

As the days of "Cassidymania" subsided, Cassidy regularly addressed fans at his concerts in question-and-answer sessions. In August 2016, Cassidy performed in [[The Villages, Florida]], and brought multiple attendees to the side of the stage, asking and answering questions and engaging with members of the community who had been fans for nearly half a century.<ref name="Villages-News.com">{{cite web |date=August 10, 2016 |title=David Cassidy charms fans with tales of Partridge Family days |url=http://www.villages-news.com/david-cassidy-charms-fans-tales-partridge-family-days/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205165330/https://www.villages-news.com/2016/08/09/david-cassidy-charms-fans-tales-partridge-family-days/ |archive-date=February 5, 2022 |access-date=August 24, 2016 |publisher=Villages-News.com}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Cassidy's first wife was actress [[Kay Lenz]], whom he married on April 3, 1977,<ref>Nevada, Marriage Index 1956–2005</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Park |first1=Jeannie |last2=Alexander |first2=Michael |date=November 20, 1989 |title=After Riding a Lifetime of Ups and Downs, Kay Lenz Hits Her Stride with a Role in Midnight Caller |url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20115986,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222042141/http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20115986,00.html |archive-date=February 22, 2014 |access-date=February 11, 2014 |work=[[People (magazine)|People]] |volume=32 |issue=21 |quote=...David Cassidy when they married in 1977, just 2½ months after meeting on a blind date.}}</ref> and divorced on December 28, 1983.<ref>California, Divorce Index 1966–1984</ref><ref name="people.com">{{cite magazine |last=Vespa |first=Mary |url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20085003,00.html |title=Now Back Onstage, David Cassidy Has a New Fiancée and a Confession; His Rock Days Were No Picnic |magazine=[[People (magazine)|People]] |access-date=March 14, 2016 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304102759/http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20085003,00.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=biography.com />

Cassidy married his second wife, horse breeder Meryl Tanz, in 1984.<ref name="filmref">{{cite web | url= http://www.filmreference.com/film/61/David-Cassidy.html | title= David Cassidy Biography (1950–) | publisher= FilmReference.com | access-date= February 11, 2014}}</ref> They met in 1974 at a horse sale in [[Lexington, Kentucky]].<ref name="people.com"/> This marriage ended in divorce in 1988.

Cassidy's daughter, actress [[Katie Cassidy]], was born in 1986 from an extramarital [[affair]] with fashion model Sherry Williams.<ref name="tvguide">{{cite magazine |date= |title=Katie Cassidy: Biography |url=http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/katie-cassidy/bio/249463 |magazine=[[TV Guide|TVGuide.com]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319040713/https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/katie-cassidy/bio/3030057649/ |archive-date=March 19, 2022 |access-date=February 11, 2014}}</ref> After Cassidy and Williams ended their relationship, Katie was raised by her mother and her stepfather, Richard Benedon. Cassidy spoke of his absence from Katie's life: in February 2017, he said, "I've never had a relationship with her. I wasn't her father. I was her biological father but I didn't raise her. She has a completely different life. I'm proud of her. She's very talented. It's hard for me to even accept how old she is now."<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Dugan |first=Christina |date=February 22, 2017 |title=David Cassidy Opens Up About His 'Beautiful' Son – and Why He Doesn't Have a Relationship with His Daughter |url=http://people.com/celebrity/david-cassidy-talks-relationship-son-daughter/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130183645/https://people.com/tag/david-cassidy/ |archive-date=November 30, 2022 |access-date=December 26, 2017 |magazine=[[People (magazine)|People]]}}</ref>

Cassidy married songwriter Sue Shifrin on March 30, 1991. It was Cassidy's third marriage and Shifrin's second marriage. They had one child, Beau,<ref>{{cite web |title=David Cassidy & Wife Divorcing |url=https://people.com/crime/david-cassidy-wife-divorcing/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205164249/https://people.com/crime/david-cassidy-wife-divorcing/ |archive-date=February 5, 2022 |access-date=October 4, 2015 |url-status=live |work=[[People (magazine)|People]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |author=Rix |first=Juliet |date=August 17, 2012 |title=David Cassidy: My family values |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2012/aug/18/david-cassidy-my-family-values |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221016211223/https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2012/aug/18/david-cassidy-my-family-values |archive-date=October 16, 2022 |access-date=October 4, 2015 |newspaper=the Guardian}}</ref> in 1991.<ref name="sentinel">{{cite news |author=Clary |first1=Mike |last2=Alanez |first2=Tonya |name-list-style=and |date=August 25, 2013 |title=David Cassidy, despite spotlight from recent DWI arrest, known as low-key neighbor in Fort Lauderdale |url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2013-08-25/news/fl-david-cassidy-fort-lauderdale-20130825_1_david-cassidy-jo-ann-geffen-the-partridge-family |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223183738/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2013-08-25/news/fl-david-cassidy-fort-lauderdale-20130825_1_david-cassidy-jo-ann-geffen-the-partridge-family |archive-date=February 23, 2014 |access-date=October 20, 2014 |newspaper=[[Sun-Sentinel]]}}</ref><ref name="TMZ">{{cite news |date=February 11, 2014 |title=David Cassidy Wife files for Divorce |work=[[TMZ]] |url=http://www.tmz.com/2014/02/11/david-cassidy-divorce-sue-alcohol-rehab-dui/ |access-date=October 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925091345/https://www.tmz.com/2014/02/11/david-cassidy-divorce-sue-alcohol-rehab-dui/ |archive-date=September 25, 2022}}</ref> In August 2013, Cassidy's Los Angeles publicist confirmed that the couple had separated, with Shifrin filing for divorce in February 2014.<ref name=sentinel/><ref name=TMZ/>

Cassidy moved to [[Fort Lauderdale, Florida]], in 2002.<ref name="southfloridasun-sentinel">{{cite web |author=South Florida Sun-Sentinel |date=October 2, 2015 |title=David Cassidy charged with I-595 traffic incident |url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/fl-david-cassidy-hit-run-20151002-story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220131003045/https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/fl-david-cassidy-hit-run-20151002-story.html |archive-date=January 31, 2022 |access-date=October 4, 2015 |work=Sun-Sentinel.com}}</ref> He filed for bankruptcy in 2015.<ref>{{cite web |date=August 26, 2015 |title=David Cassidy says goodbye to 'place of refuge' in Fort Lauderdale |url=http://www.local10.com/entertainment/david-cassidy-says-goodbye-to-place-of-refuge-in-fort-lauderdale/34927694 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516215254/https://www.local10.com/news/2015/08/26/david-cassidy-says-goodbye-to-place-of-refuge-in-fort-lauderdale/ |archive-date=May 16, 2021 |access-date=October 4, 2015 |work=Local10}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-people-davidcassidy-idUSKCN0R91IX20150909|title=Home of bankrupt ex-teen heartthrob David Cassidy auctioned|newspaper=Reuters|access-date=October 4, 2015|date=September 9, 2015|archive-date=October 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151005051040/http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/09/09/us-people-davidcassidy-idUSKCN0R91IX20150909|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=David Cassidy Files for Bankruptcy |url=http://www.people.com/article/david-cassidy-files-bankruptcy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316091546/http://www.people.com/article/david-cassidy-files-bankruptcy |archive-date=March 16, 2016 |access-date=October 4, 2015 |work=People}}</ref>

===Activism===
In 2011, Cassidy recorded a [[public service announcement]] for [[Alzheimer's disease]] research and prevention – because his mother, Evelyn Ward, suffered with the condition<ref>{{cite web |author=Sollitto, Marlo |title=David Cassidy: Teen Idol to Dementia Caregiver |url=https://www.agingcare.com/articles/david-cassidy-goes-from-teen-idol-to-dementia-caregiver-154023.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150305041357/http://www.people.com/article/david-cassidy-files-bankruptcy |archive-date=March 5, 2015 |access-date=November 27, 2017 |publisher=AgingCare.com}}</ref> – and said that he would campaign for that cause whenever possible.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/02/21/david-cassidy-dementia-and-his-tragic-family-history/|title=David Cassidy, dementia and his tragic family history|newspaper=The Mercury News|publisher=Bay Area News Group|author=Ross, Martha|access-date=February 21, 2017|date=February 21, 2017}}</ref> He planned to address Congress in 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20111021/ENTERTAIN/110210321/-1/ENTERTAIN08 |title=Time to scream! David Cassidy comes to Lycian Centre |work=Times Herald-Record |date=October 21, 2011 |access-date=November 29, 2011 |archive-date=January 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112052056/http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20111021/ENTERTAIN/110210321/-1/ENTERTAIN08 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Cassidy was a long-time registered [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]]. During a 2012 guest appearance on ''[[The Colbert Report]]'' he expressed his views on the leading [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] candidates for president, [[Mitt Romney]] and [[Newt Gingrich]]. Cassidy stated, "I believe both of them are the most embarrassing, sad, pathetic &nbsp;... I mean, really, this is the best we can do?"<ref>{{cite web |url =http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/407039/january-26-2012/the-great-available-panel |title=The Great Available Panel: John Harwood, Katrina vanden Heuvel and David Cassidy share their thoughts on Newt Gingrich's sex appeal, Mitt Romney's wealth and Connecticut's tacos |work=The Colbert Report |date=January 26, 2012}}</ref>

===Alcohol-related driving incidents and criminal charges===
Cassidy was arrested for [[driving under the influence]] (DUI) in Florida on November 3, 2010.<ref>Martinez, Edecio. (November 4, 2010) [http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20021832-504083.html David Cassidy Arrested: "Partridge Family" Star Accused of Drunk Driving in Fla. – Crimesider] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110211072714/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20021832-504083.html |date=February 11, 2011 }}. CBS News. Retrieved on March 27, 2011.</ref>

Cassidy was arrested for DUI in [[Schodack, New York]], in the early hours of August 21, 2013.<ref>{{cite news |last=Mandell |first=Andrea |date=August 21, 2013 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2013/08/21/david--cassidy-arrested-for-drunk-driving/2681339/ |title=David Cassidy arrested for drunken driving |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |access-date=August 21, 2013}}</ref> He was pulled over after failing to dim his headlights as he passed a police car going in the opposite direction. After performing poorly on a [[field sobriety test]], Cassidy was subjected to an [[Breathalyzer|alcohol breath test]], returning a blood alcohol level of 0.10%, which was above the New York legal limit of 0.08%.<ref name="Times Union Article"/> The arresting officer, one Tom Jones, reported that Cassidy was polite and courteous; in reference to a 1965 [[What's New Pussycat? (song)|hit song]] by singer [[Tom Jones (singer)|Tom Jones]], Cassidy jokingly asked the officer, "[[What's New Pussycat? (song)|What's New, Pussycat?]]"<ref name="Times Union Article"/> Cassidy was charged, taken to jail, and released several hours later on $2,500 bail. On May 12, 2015, Cassidy was sentenced to community service, a fine, and a six-month license suspension.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timesunion.com/news/article/David-Cassidy-sentenced-without-appearing-in-6258402.php|title=David Cassidy DWI case ends with sentencing|work=Times Union|access-date=October 4, 2015|date=May 12, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.syracuse.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2015/05/david_cassidy_sentenced_upstate_new_york_dwi_case.html|title=David Cassidy sentenced in Upstate New York drunken-driving case|work=syracuse.com|access-date=October 4, 2015|date=May 13, 2015}}</ref>

Cassidy was arrested on suspicion of DUI in California on January 10, 2014, after he made an illegal right turn against a red light. He was held overnight in jail,<ref>{{cite news |last=Merl |first=Jean |url=http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-david-cassidy-20140111,0,2076506.story#axzz2q8Z6WkH6 |title='70s heartthrob David Cassidy arrested on suspicion of DUI near LAX |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=January 11, 2014}}</ref> ordered to undergo inpatient rehabilitation, and placed on probation for five years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tmz.com/2014/03/24/david-cassidy-dui-no-contest-plea-rehab/|title=David Cassidy Ordered Into Rehab After DUI Plea|date=March 24, 2014 |publisher=[[TMZ]]|access-date=October 4, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Duke |first=Alan |date=March 24, 2014 |title=David Cassidy gets probation, rehab for DUI conviction |url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/24/showbiz/david-cassidy-dui-plea/ |access-date=October 4, 2015 |work=CNN}}</ref>

On September 9, 2015, Cassidy was cited in [[Fort Lauderdale, Florida]], on charges of leaving the scene of a car accident, improper lane change, expired plates and driving on a suspended license.<ref name="southfloridasun-sentinel"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/David-Cassidy-arrested-for-leaving-scene-of-6548186.php|title=David Cassidy arrested for leaving scene of accident|work=Times Union|access-date=October 4, 2015|date=October 3, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/gossip/la-et-mg-david-cassidy-charged-hit-and-run-foreclosure-auction-20151002-story.html|title=David Cassidy facing hit-and-run charge in crash on the day his home was auctioned|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=October 2, 2015|access-date=October 4, 2015}}</ref>

==Illness and death==
[[File:David Cassidy.jpg|thumb|Cassidy performing in 2007]]

In 2008, Cassidy publicly admitted he had an alcohol problem.<ref name="Times Union Article">{{cite web|last=Gardinier|first=Bob|title='70s teen star Cassidy meets Officer Tom Jones|url=http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Notable-names-in-DWI-arrest-4749409.php|publisher=TimesUnion.com (Hearst Communications Inc.) |access-date=August 22, 2013|date=August 21, 2013}}</ref>

On February 20, 2017, following a performance in [[Agoura Hills, California]], in which Cassidy had difficulty remembering the lyrics of songs he had been performing for nearly 50 years, and appeared to fall off the stage, he announced that he was living with [[dementia]] and was retiring from all further performing.<ref name=NBCdementia>{{cite news|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/music/david-cassidy-partridge-family-star-reveals-he-has-dementia-n723476|title=Former teen heartthrob David Cassidy reveals dementia, quits touring|work=[[NBC News]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/david-cassidy-reveals-dementia-article-1.2977647|title=David Cassidy reveals he has dementia|newspaper=NY Daily News|access-date=February 21, 2017|language=en}}</ref> He said that his mother and grandfather had also suffered from dementia at the end of their lives, and that "I was in denial, but a part of me always knew this was coming."<ref name=NBCdementia/>
 
Later in 2017, Cassidy fell ill at a recording studio and was hospitalized. In a later phone conversation with an [[A&E (TV channel)|A&E]] producer, he stated that he had just met with his doctor, that he had liver disease, and that his life had "changed dramatically." Cassidy added that he had been unconscious and near death for the first few days after the incident, but that his memory had returned.<ref name=PeopleNever/> Cassidy also acknowledged that there was "no sign of [dementia] at this stage of [his] life," adding that "[it] was complete alcohol poisoning—and the fact is, I lied about my drinking."<ref name=PeopleNever/> Cassidy said, "You know, I did it to myself, man. I did it to myself to cover up the sadness and the emptiness."<ref name=PeopleNever>{{cite news |last=Helling |first=Steve |title=David Cassidy's Shocking Confession Before His Death: He Was Still Drinking and Never Had Dementia  |url=https://people.com/tv/david-cassidys-never-had-dementia/ |work=[[People (magazine)|People]] |date=June 6, 2018 |access-date=June 6, 2018}}</ref> Cassidy had told his family and others that he had given up drinking.<ref name=PeopleNever/>

On November 18, 2017, Cassidy was hospitalized with [[Organ dysfunction|liver and kidney failure]], and was critically ill in a [[induced coma|medically induced coma]].<ref name="Ill">{{Cite news |url=http://metro.co.uk/2017/11/18/david-cassidy-in-a-coma-in-critical-condition-after-being-rushed-to-hospital-7089993/ |title=David Cassidy in 'critical condition' with organ failure |last=Starkey |first=Adam |date=November 18, 2017 |work=[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]] |access-date=November 18, 2017}}</ref> He came out of the coma two days later, remaining in critical but stable condition.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/florida/fl-david-cassidy-hospital-florida-20171118-story.html|title=David Cassidy 'critical but stable' in Fort Lauderdale-area hospital with multiple organ failure|newspaper=Sun-Sentinel|first=Brian|last=Ballou|agency=Associated Press|date=November 18, 2017|access-date=March 31, 2020}}</ref> Doctors hoped to keep Cassidy stable until a liver became available for [[liver transplant|transplant]], but he died of liver failure on November 21, 2017, at the age of 67.<ref name=nytobit>{{Cite news|url=https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/11/21/obituaries/david-cassidy-dead.html?_r=0&referer=|title=David Cassidy, Heartthrob and 'Partridge Family' Star, Dies at 67|newspaper=The New York Times|date=November 21, 2017|last1=Fortin|first1=Jacey}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/david-cassidy-1970s-teen-idol-has-died-n822426|title=David Cassidy, 1970s teen idol, has died at 67|last=Chuck|first=Elizabeth|date=November 21, 2017|work=NBC News|access-date=November 21, 2017}}</ref> According to his daughter, Katie Cassidy, his final words were "So much wasted time."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/katie-cassidy-shares-father-davids-last-words-wasted-time-1061383|title=Katie Cassidy Shares Father David's Last Words: 'So Much Wasted Time'|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=November 25, 2017|access-date=December 16, 2020}}</ref>

==Memoirs==
In 1994, Cassidy, in collaboration with [[Chip Deffaa]], wrote his autobiography ''C'mon, Get Happy ... Fear and Loathing on the Partridge Family Bus''.<ref name="Get Happy" /> In December 2019, ''C'mon, Get Happy'' was published as an E-book (by Open Road Media, {{ISBN|0446395315}}) with a new afterword by Chip Deffaa, covering the rest of Cassidy's life.

Cassidy also wrote a memoir, ''Could It Be Forever? My Story'', published in the United Kingdom in March 2007, which gives further details about his personal life.<ref>{{cite web|last=Walls |first=Jeannette |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/britney-spears-has-whole-rehab-wing-herself-wbna17031911 |title=Britney Spears has whole rehab wing to herself |publisher=TODAY Entertainment |date= March 7, 2007|access-date=October 14, 2010}}</ref>

== Discography ==
{{Main|David Cassidy discography}}

==Filmography==
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;"
! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Year
! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Title
! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Role
! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Notes
! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Reference
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1969 || ''[[Harold Robbins' The Survivors|The Survivors]]'' || Mike || Episode: "Chapter Seven" || <ref name="filmreference">{{Cite web|url=http://www.filmreference.com/film/61/David-Cassidy.html|title=David Cassidy Biography|publisher=Film Reference|access-date=November 19, 2017}}</ref>
|-
| ''[[Ironside (1967 TV series)|Ironside]]'' || Danny Goodson || Episode: "Stolen on Demand" || <ref name="AllMovieFilm">{{cite web|url=https://www.allmovie.com/artist/david-cassidy-p11649/filmography|title=David Cassidy – Movies and Filmography |publisher=[[AllMovie]]|access-date=November 19, 2017}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="6" | 1970 || ''[[Adam-12]]'' || Tim Richmond || Episode: "Log 24 A Rare Occasion" || <ref name="AllMovieFilm" />
|-
| ''[[Bonanza]]'' || Billy Burgess || Episode: "The Law and Billy Burgess" || <ref name="AllMovieFilm" />
|-
| ''[[Marcus Welby, M.D.]]'' || Michael Ambrose || Episode: "Fun and Games and Michael Ambrose" || <ref name="filmreference" />
|-
| ''[[Medical Center (TV series)|Medical Center]]'' || Rick Lambert || Episode: "His Brother's Keeper" || <ref name="filmreference" />
|-
| ''[[The Mod Squad]]'' || Brad Johnson || Episode: "The Loser" || <ref name="filmreference" />
|-
| ''[[The F.B.I. (TV series)|The F.B.I.]]'' || Larry Wentworth || Episode: "Fatal Impostor" || <ref name="AllMovieFilm" />
|-
| 1970–74 || ''[[The Partridge Family]]'' || Keith Partridge || 96 episodes || <ref name="AllMovieFilm" />
|-
| 1978 || ''[[Police Story (1973 TV series)|Police Story]]'' || Officer Dan Shay || Episode: "A Chance to Live" || <ref name="filmreference" />
|-
| 1978–79 || ''[[David Cassidy: Man Undercover]]'' || Officer Dan Shay || 10 episodes; also composer of theme music || <ref name="filmreference" />
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1980 || ''[[The Love Boat]]'' || Ted Harmes || 1 episode || <ref name="filmreference" />
|-
| ''The Night the City Screamed'' || David Greeley || TV movie || <ref name="AllMovieFilm" />
|-
| 1980/83 || ''[[Fantasy Island]]'' || Jeremy Todd / Danny Collier || 2 episodes || <ref name="filmreference" />
|-
| 1982 || ''[[Matt Houston]]'' || John Gordon Boyd || Episode: "Joey's Here" || <ref name="filmreference" />
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1983 || ''Parade of Stars'' || [[George M. Cohan]] || TV movie || <ref name="filmreference" />
|-
| ''[[Tales of the Unexpected (TV series)|Tales of the Unexpected]]'' || Donald / David || Episode: "Heir Presumptuous" || <ref name="filmreference" />
|-
| 1988 || ''[[Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1985 TV series)|Alfred Hitchcock Presents]]'' || Joey Mitchell || Episode: "Career Move" || <ref name="filmreference" />
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1990 || ''[[Instant Karma (film)|Instant Karma]]'' || Reno ||  || <ref name="AllMovieFilm" />
|-
| ''[[The Spirit of '76 (1990 film)|The Spirit of '76]]'' || Adam-11 ||  || <ref name="AllMovieFilm" />
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1991 || ''[[Blossom (American TV series)|Blossom]]'' || Himself || Episode: "A Rockumentary" || <ref name="filmreference" />
|-
| ''[[The Flash (1990 TV series)|The Flash]]'' || [[Mirror Master|Sam Scudder/Mirror Master]] || Episode: "Done with Mirrors" || <ref name="filmreference" />
|-
| 1992 || ''[[The Ben Stiller Show]]'' || David Cassidy || Episode: "With Flea" || <ref name="filmreference" />
|-
| 1993 || ''[[Ein Schloß am Wörthersee]]'' || Patrick Riley || Episode: "Falsches Spiel mit Patrick" || <ref name="IMDB">{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0696066/characters/nm0144180|title=Ein Schloß am Wörthersee|publisher=IMDB|access-date=January 7, 2024}}</ref>
|-
| 1995 || ''[[The John Larroquette Show]]'' || Jefferson Kelly || Episode: "Wrestling Matches"; also composer of theme music || <ref name="filmreference" />
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2003 || ''[[Malcolm in the Middle]]'' || Boone Vincent || Episode: "Vegas" || <ref name="RottenTomatoes" />
|-
| ''[[The Agency (2001 TV series)|The Agency]]'' || Everett Price || Episode: "War, Inc." || <ref name="TVGuide" />
|-
| ''[[I Love the '70s (American TV series)|I Love the '70s]]'' || Himself ||
|
|-
| 2004 || ''[[Kim Possible]]'' || Roland Pond (voice) || Episode: "Oh Boyz" || <ref name="TVGuide" />
|- 
| rowspan="2" | 2005 || ''[[Less than Perfect]]'' || Vince || Episode: "Playhouse" || <ref name="TVGuide" />
|-
| ''[[Popstar (film)|Popstar]]'' || Grant ||  || <ref name="RottenTomatoes" />
|-
| 2009 || ''[[Ruby & The Rockits]]'' || David Gallagher || 10 episodes || <ref name="RottenTomatoes" />
|-
| 2011 || ''[[The Apprentice (U.S. season 11)|Celebrity Apprentice]]'' || Himself/contestant || 2 episodes || <ref name="RottenTomatoes">{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/1017905-david_cassidy/|title=David Cassidy|publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]. Fandango.|access-date=November 19, 2017}}</ref>
|-
| 2013 || ''[[CSI: Crime Scene Investigation]]'' || Peter Coe || Episode: "Last Woman Standing" || <ref name="AllMovieFilm" />
|-
| 2018 || ''David Cassidy: The Last Session'' || Himself || TV special; posthumous release ||
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.davidcassidy.com/ David Cassidy's official web site]
* {{AllMusic|artist/david-cassidy-mn0000532487}}
* {{IMDb name|144180}}
* {{tcmdb name|id=797124{{!}}0|name=David Cassidy}}
* {{IBDB name}}
* The [http://archiveshub.ac.uk/data/gb71-thm/378 David Cassidy Collection] is held by the [[Victoria and Albert Museum]] Theatre and Performance Department.

{{David Cassidy}}
{{The Partridge Family|state=collapsed}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cassidy, David}}
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