Gregg Fedderson was a child actor who rose to fame for his role as Gregg Bartlett in the popular sitcom Family Affair. He appeared in 13 episodes of the show from 1967 to 1971, alongside his older brother Mike Minor, who played Steve Douglas. Gregg was also a bachelor judge on the game show Dream Girl of ’67, where he helped select the most attractive female contestant.
But behind the scenes, Gregg was struggling with personal and health issues that eventually led to his tragic death. Here is a brief overview of his life and career, and how he succumbed to cancer at the age of 53.
Early Life and Family
Gregg Fedderson was born on December 14, 1948 in San Francisco, California, USA. He was the son of Don Fedderson, a successful television producer who created hit shows like My Three Sons and The Millionaire. His mother was Tido Fedderson, a former actress who appeared in some of her husband’s shows as a cameo. Gregg had an older brother, Darr Jay Fedderson, and a half-brother, Mike Minor, from his father’s previous marriage.
Gregg grew up in a wealthy and privileged family, but he also faced some challenges. His parents divorced when he was young, and he had to deal with the pressure of being in the spotlight. He also suffered from dyslexia, a learning disorder that affected his reading and writing skills.
Acting Career and Marriage
Gregg followed his brother Mike into the acting business, and landed his first role as Gregg Bartlett in Family Affair. He played the nephew of Brian Keith’s character, Uncle Bill Davis, who took care of three orphaned children after their parents died in a car accident. Gregg’s character was introduced in the second season as a cousin of the children, who came to live with them for a while.
Gregg received positive reviews for his performance, and became a teen idol for many young girls. He also appeared as a bachelor judge on Dream Girl of ’67, a beauty contest show hosted by Dean Jones. He was one of four male judges who rated the female contestants on their looks, personality, and talent.
In 1969, Gregg married Valerie Fitzgerald, a model and actress who was also a contestant on Dream Girl of ’67. They had met on the set of the show, and fell in love. They had a lavish wedding ceremony at the Beverly Hills Hotel, attended by many celebrities and friends. However, their marriage did not last long, and they divorced in 1974.
Decline and Death
After Family Affair ended in 1971, Gregg’s acting career faded away. He did not pursue any other roles, and instead focused on his personal life. He became involved in various hobbies and interests, such as photography, painting, surfing, and traveling. He also developed a passion for motorcycles, and owned several Harley-Davidsons.
However, Gregg also faced some problems with his health and lifestyle. He smoked heavily for many years, which damaged his lungs and increased his risk of cancer. He also suffered from depression and anxiety, and had trouble coping with the changes in his life. He became reclusive and isolated himself from his family and friends.
In 2002, Gregg was diagnosed with lung cancer, which had spread to other parts of his body. He underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments, but they were not effective. He died on April 28, 2002 in Huntington Beach, California, USA. He was 53 years old.
According to IMDb regg’s cause of death was cancer. He was cremated and his ashes were scattered in the Pacific Ocean.
Legacy
Gregg Fedderson is remembered as one of the stars of Family Affair, one of the most popular sitcoms of the 1960s and 1970s. He is also remembered as a handsome and charming bachelor judge on Dream Girl of ’67. He had a promising acting career ahead of him, but he chose to leave it behind for other pursuits.
Gregg’s death was part of a series of tragedies that befell the cast of Family Affair. His co-star Anissa Jones, who played Buffy Davis on the show, died of a drug overdose in 1976 at the age of 18. His father Don Fedderson died of heart failure in 1994 at the age of 81. His brother Mike Minor died of cancer in 2016 at the age of 75.
Gregg Fedderson’s life and death are examples of how fame and fortune can come with a price. He had everything he wanted as a child actor, but he also faced many challenges and difficulties that affected him later in life. He died too young, but he left behind a legacy of entertainment and joy for his fans and viewers.
