Eight Is Enough (1977–1981) Cast THEN AND NOW 2023, All the cast members died tragically!!br Eight Is Enough is an American television comedy-drama series that ran on ABC from March 15, 1977, until May 23, 1981. The show was modeled on the life of syndicated newspaper columnist Tom Braden, a real-life parent with eight children, who wrote a book by the same title.