Don Grady, born Don Louis Agrati, was an American actor, composer, and musician. He gained fame as one of Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse Mouseketeers and for his role as Robbie Douglas in the long-running series ‘My Three Sons.’ Grady’s talent extended beyond acting, as he was also a skilled composer, songwriter, and musician, proficient in playing the drums and keyboard. Growing up alongside his sister Lani O’Grady, who was also a successful actress, Grady’s passion for the entertainment industry was evident from an early age. He married twice in his lifetime, with his second marriage to Virginia Lewsader lasting for 27 years and resulting in two children. Sadly, Grady’s life was cut short by myeloma, a form of cancer, in June 2012. He left behind a legacy of talent and creativity, forever remembered as a beloved figure in the entertainment industry.
Quick Facts
- Also Known As: Don Louis Agrati
- Died At Age: 68
- Family:
- Spouse/Ex-: Virginia Lewsader, Julie Boonisar (m. 1976–1979), Virginia Lewsader (m. 1985–2012)
- Father: Lou Anthony Agrati
- Mother: Mary B
- Actors
- American Men
- Height: 5’7″ (170 cm), 5’7″ Males
- Died on: June 27, 2012
- Place of death: Thousand Oaks, California, United States
- Ancestry: Italian American
- Cause of Death: Multiple Myeloma
- Notable Alumni: Los Angeles City College
- U.S. State: California
- City: San Diego, California
- More Facts
- Education: Los Angeles City College
Career
As an actor, Don Grady appeared in a number of western series including ‘The Restless Gun’, ‘Buckskin’, ‘Have Gun – Will Travel’, ‘The Rifleman’ and ‘Wagon Train’. In December 1959, he featured in two episodes of CBS’s ‘Zane Grey Theatre’ opposite Dick Powell and Joan Crawford. A year later, he was cast as Robbie Douglas in the series ‘My Three Sons’. During the production of the show, the actor also had a role in the crime film ‘Ma Barker’s Killer Brood’ as well as in the NBC’s dramas ‘The Eleventh Hour’ and ‘Mr. Novak’. He also served as the drummer for the pop band The Yellow Balloon.
After ‘My Three Sons’ concluded in 1972, Grady continued working as a musician. His musical contributions included the theme track for ‘The Phil Donahue Show’ and composing music for Blake Edwards’ comedy movie ‘Switch’ and for ‘EFX,’ a multimedia stage show featuring David Cassidy, Michael Crawford, Rick Springfield and Tommy Tune. He also performed on stage in the national tour of Pippin. During this time, he also featured in the shows ‘Damn Yankees’ and ‘Godspell.’ In 2008, Grady released his album ‘Boomer: JazRokPop,’ featuring a collection of tracks written on the baby boomers’ generation.
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Family & Personal Life
Don Grady was born as Don Louis Agrati on June 8, 1944, in San Diego, California, to Lou Anthony Agrati and Mary B, a talent agent. He had a sister name Lanita who later earned reputation as an actress under the name Lani O’Grady. He attended Burbank High School and graduated from there in 1962. For a while during the run of ‘My Three Sons’, Grady studied at Los Angeles City College.
From 1976 to 1979, he was married to Julie Boonisar. The couple had no kids. Then in 1985, the actor cum musician married a woman named Virginia “Ginny” Lewsader. They had two children: Tessa and Joey, and remained married for 27 years until Grady’s death.
In June 2012, he died of myeloma in California, at the age of 68. He is buried at Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Memorial Park in California’s Westlake Village.