What Happened to the Children from ‘Nanny and the Professor,’ One of Whom Tragically Died?

“Nanny and the Professor” captivated audiences with its whimsical depiction of familial dynamics and an enchanted nanny. However, the young actors who represented the Everett children left the show’s ideal setting behind and began lives that were frequently very different.

“Nanny and the Professor” gained popularity as a family sitcom after it debuted in 1970. Alongside the youthful performers who portrayed the Everett children, David Doremus, Trent Lehman, and Kim Richards, Juliet Mills, who portrayed Nanny Phoebe Figalilly, exuded charm and warmth on screen.

Although the show appeared to be the ideal launching pad for its youthful stars, their lives off screen took rather diverse turns; some found contentment outside of the spotlight, while others dealt with personal issues. Doremus was one of those people whose life took a more sedate course but who maintained ties to his previous profession.

David Doremus: A Child Star with Other Aspirations

At the age of seven, David Doremus began his career in television acting as the eldest of the three Everett children, Hal Everett Jr. His interest in acting began early, like with many child actors, when he saw other children on TV and asked his mother, “Mom, can I be on that?”

His family encouraged him to pursue his ambition, and soon he was working on the “Nanny and the Professor” set, winning people over with his portrayal of the mature and smart elder brother. Despite his early success from acting, Doremus had other goals in mind. He had his sights set on a completely other job even as a small child.

His goal was to become a dentist, so he started setting aside money from the show to pay for dental school at the University of Southern California. Doremus played a few more parts after “Nanny and the Professor,” one of which was in “The Waltons,” where he was still well-known to his admirers.

Even though he occasionally appeared in public, such as at fan gatherings for “The Waltons,” his Hollywood career essentially disappeared as he concentrated on establishing a non-actor’s life. While Doremus, 66, achieved happiness, one of his other co-stars had a more challenging journey once the cameras stopped.

Trent Lehman: A Life Cut Short

The show’s cheeky middle child, Bentley “Butch” Everett, played by Trent Lehman, had a bright future in Hollywood. Lehman, who was born in 1961, was just nine years old when he was given the part, and he made the Everett family feel lively and exciting.

Lehman’s early success was further cemented by his appearances in other hit shows of the day, including “Gunsmoke” and “The ABC Saturday Superstar Movie,” in addition to his tenure on the show. Unlike Doremus, his co-star, Lehman found it difficult to break free from the trappings of childhood celebrity.

By the time “Nanny and the Professor” concluded in 1971, he had essentially run out of acting possibilities. Sadly, Lehman committed suicide while he was just 20 years old. He informed a buddy he was feeling down and wanted to terminate his life before he was discovered hanging from a schoolyard fence in January 1982.

Those who had worked with Lehman, such as Mills, who recalled him affectionately as the most committed of the young actors on the show, were shocked to learn of his passing. Sadly, he wasn’t the only member of the cast to experience personal difficulties. In the years that followed, the youngest Everett sister would continue to struggle with her problems.

Kim Richards: From Childhood Stardom to Personal Struggles

Kim Richards, who portrayed the youngest Everett child, Prudence, was only six years old when she began work on “Nanny and the Professor.” Richards’ portrayal of the naive and kind Prudence quickly won her over fans, and she went on to pursue acting in the years after the show’s conclusion.

She acted in a number of Disney movies, such as “Escape to Witch Mountain,” which solidified her place in Hollywood’s pantheon of child stars. But despite having a successful early career, Richards found it difficult to adjust to adulthood.

She started fighting alcoholism in her mid-twenties, and the addiction would follow her for a long time. Richards then disclosed that she began a time of inner upheaval at the age of 24, when she had her first real drink. Her problems with addiction eventually brought her to the attention of the public when she was arrested for public intoxication.

Richards struggled with alcoholism in addition to suffering a great deal of personal grief. Her fiancé, John J. Collett, was tragically killed in 1991 in a hit job connected to a failed business venture. She was emotionally torn apart by the tragic loss, and it took her a long time to get better.

She also experienced the death of Monty Brinson, her ex-husband, in 2016. Richards shared a touching tribute on social media, expressing her deep grief over his demise. Despite their split, the two remained close. Nevertheless, Richards eventually discovered pleasure in spite of the horrors she experienced.

She has surmounted many of the obstacles that shaped a large portion of her adult life, and now that she is clean, she takes pride in her role as a grandma. Juliet Mills, who portrayed the renowned Nanny, still finds great pleasure in remembering her early years on set and her interactions with the youthful ensemble.

Juliet Mills Reflects on the Show’s Legacy

The heart of “Nanny and the Professor,” Mills, once spoke warmly about the show and her time spent with the young performers. Mills observed that despite the children’s diverse personalities and varying degrees of dedication, working with them was a happy experience. Lehman was extremely precious to her, which made his untimely death all the more devastating.

In a 2019 interview, Mills discussed the challenges that young actors frequently encounter. She pointed out that keeping rising stars grounded requires a strong parental base. Even while her family provided security for her career, she recognized that not all aspiring actors are as lucky.

The actress underlined the value of young stars resisting the temptation to let their celebrity define who they are—a lesson her parents taught her early on. Mills is aware of the reason why “Nanny and the Professor” continues to have an impact on viewers even after several decades have passed.

Despite having rather varied life paths, the young stars’ contributions to the event had a lasting impression. Loved for its warmth, humor, and the memories it left behind, the show still has a unique place in the hearts of its viewers.