Biografia

Turned down the role of Ted Baxter on Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970), but did guest star as Ted Baxter's brother.

He died when his couch, and subsequently apartment, caught fire after he fell asleep on it with a lit cigarette.

According to Cassidy's ex-wife Shirley Jones, on December 11, 1976, Cassidy asked her over for drinks but she declined his invitation. He then ate dinner alone at an Italian restaurant. Cassidy returned to his apartment by himself, by which time he was drunk. In the early morning hours of December 12, Cassidy lit a cigarette and fell asleep on his Naugahyde couch. He then dropped the cigarette, which ignited the couch. The flames quickly spread throughout the apartment and the building.

Father, with Evelyn Ward of son David Cassidy. Father, with Shirley Jones, of sons Shaun Cassidy, Ryan Cassidy and Patrick Cassidy.

A charred body, burned beyond recognition, was found in the doorway of Cassidy's apartment. As Cassidy's car was missing (it was later returned by a friend who had borrowed it), his family hoped that he had traveled to Palm Springs, which were his intended plans for the following day but the body was then positively identified as Cassidy's by dental records and by a signet ring that he wore, bearing the Cassidy family crest.

Anyway, in Paris, we were thrown together. We'd said we wouldn't see each other any more. But how can you not see each other when you are kissing each other every night on the stage every night? We came back and I asked my wife for a divorce which wasn't the first time...

The rewards of comedy are instant. I have no desire to look out into an audience to see if there are any tears.

I work fast because of the many years of machination when I try to come up with a performance quickly or otherwise somebody was waiting in the wings to replace me. There was no time for all of that (Actor's) workshop approach.

Daytime TV and talk shows also helped me. I am fascinating on all those programs. Full of witty remarks and sly innuendo which I have been preparing all day. Anyway, the ladies love it, and when I tour in a play or musical I do quite well at the box office.

When we reconciled after our other split, I begged her to let us move to a more stable area. But she insisted Beverly Hills schooling was important for the boys. Hell, what about their sense of values. At age 17 Shaun is the owner of a 71 Cadillac convertible.