The Los Angeles Times reported on Tuesday that teen heartthrob of the ’70s and former Partridge Family star David Cassidy died of liver failure at the age of 67, according to his publicist, Jo-Ann Geffen.
Geffen said in a statement on Tuesday, “David died surrounded by those he loved, with joy in his heart and free from the pain that had gripped him for so long. Thank you for the abundance and support you have shown him these many years.”
The actor and singer reportedly passed away in a Fort Lauderdale hospital after being admitted for multiple organ failure, including his kidneys and liver. Earlier this year, Cassidy also revealed that he was suffering from the early stages of dementia, a disease which had also afflicted his mother and grandfather.
Cassidy spoke of his dementia and decision to stop performing as the disease progressed earlier this year, telling his fans, “I will always be eternally grateful for the love and support you’ve shown me. I still love very much to play and perform live. But it’s much more difficult for me now. I’m not going to vanish or disappear forever.”
Cassidy was born in New York City in 1950 to two parents in the entertainment industry; his father was actor and singer Jack Cassidy, his mother was actress Evelyn Ward.
In 1970, Cassidy started playing the role of Keith Partridge on The Partridge Family, which became a hit series that ran for four years and led to several pop hits including “I Think I Love You” and “Doesn’t Somebody Want To Be Wanted.”
The series transformed Cassidy into a teen obsession; he was idolized for appearing sexy, yet sweet. Cassidy told the New York Times in 1995, “It seemed whenever I’d read my name, it would be David ‘former teen idol sex symbol’ Cassidy. I used to think, ‘Well, I guess I’m going to have to do something more significant in my life, like David ‘convicted felon’ Cassidy or something,’ anything that would erase that convenient label.”