[6] Growing up as a child actor, Rich lived in Granada Hills, Los Angeles, with his parents and younger brother.

On April 16, 1991, he was arrested after a shoplifting spree at a pharmacy and a Bullock’s department store in Northridge, Los Angeles.

[7] Rich had publicly discussed his experiences with depression and substance abuse in the months before he died and had a history of many drug rehabilitation stints and several overdoses.

[11][12] After Eight Is Enough, he had roles in Irwin Allen's short-lived 1981 TV series Code Red on ABC and the 1983 sitcom Gun Shy on CBS.

[11] Rich made guest appearances on television series including The Love Boat, CHiPs, Fantasy Island, The Six Million Dollar Man, St.