Juliet Mills, Kim Richards, Trent Lehman, Richard Long, and David Doremus | Source: Getty Images
“Nanny and the Professor” charmed viewers with its lighthearted portrayal of family life and a magical nanny. Yet, as the cameras stopped rolling, the young stars who played the Everett children embarked on life journeys often far from the idyllic world the show portrayed.
When “Nanny and the Professor” started airing in 1970, it became a beloved family sitcom. Juliet Mills, as Nanny Phoebe Figalilly, brought charm and warmth to the screen, alongside the young actors who played the Everett children — David Doremus, Trent Lehman, and Kim Richards.
Kim Richards (Prudence), Juliet Mills (Nanny), Trent Lehman (Butch), Richard Long (The Professor), and David Doremus (Hal), on September 25, 1970 | Source: Getty Images
While the show may have seemed like a perfect stepping stone for its young stars, their lives off-screen took vastly different directions. Some found happiness away from the spotlight, while others faced personal struggles. Doremus was one of those whose life followed a quieter trajectory, yet still kept a connection to his early career.
David Doremus on July 20, 1970 | Source: Getty Images
David Doremus: A Child Star with Other Aspirations
David Doremus, who portrayed Hal Everett Jr., the eldest of the three Everett children, was just seven years old when he entered
television acting
. Like many child actors, his interest in performing came early, sparked by watching other kids on TV and
telling
his mother, “Mom, can I be on that?”
David Doremus on December 3, 1969 | Source: Getty Images
His family supported his passion, and he soon found himself on the “Nanny and the Professor” set, capturing hearts with his portrayal of the brainy and responsible older brother. Though acting gave him early fame, Doremus had other ambitions. Even as a young boy, he had his sights set on a very different career.
David Doremus and Juliet Mills on April 15, 1970 | Source: Getty Images
He wanted to become a dentist, and he began saving his earnings from the show to attend the University of Southern California School of Dentistry. After “Nanny and the Professor,” Doremus appeared in a few other roles, including a part in “The Waltons,” where fans continued to recognize him.
Though he made occasional
public appearances
, such as attending
fan events
for “The Waltons,” his career in Hollywood largely faded into the background as he focused on building a life beyond acting. Though Doremus, 66, found fulfillment, one of his other co-stars faced a more difficult path after the cameras stopped rolling.
Trent Lehman: A Life Cut Short
Trent Lehman, who played Bentley “Butch” Everett, the mischievous middle child on “Nanny and the Professor,” had a
promising start in Hollywood
. Born in 1961, Lehman was just nine years old when he was cast in the role, bringing a sense of fun and liveliness to the Everett household.
Trent Lehman on December 3, 1969 | Source: Getty Images
In addition to his time on “Nanny,” Lehman made appearances in other popular shows of the era, such as “Gunsmoke” and “The ABC Saturday Superstar Movie,” further cementing his early success. However, unlike his co-star Doremus, Lehman struggled to transition out of child stardom.
Trent Lehman on December 3, 1969 | Source: Getty Images
By the time “Nanny and the Professor” ended in 1971, his acting opportunities had largely dried up. Sadly, at just 20 years old, Lehman
took his own life
. In January 1982, he was found hanging from a schoolyard fence, having told a friend earlier that he was feeling despondent and wanted to end his life.
Trent Lehman on April 15, 1970 | Source: Getty Images
Lehman’s death shocked those who had worked with him, including Mills, who remembered him fondly as the most dedicated of the young actors on the show. Unfortunately, he wasn’t the only one in the cast to face personal struggles. The youngest Everett sibling would go on to battle her demons in the years that followed.
Trent Lehman on December 27, 1971 | Source: Getty Images
Kim Richards: From Childhood Stardom to Personal Struggles
Kim Richards
, who played Prudence Everett, the youngest of the Everett children, was just six years old when she joined “Nanny and the Professor.” Her role as the sweet and innocent Prudence made her an instant fan favorite, and Richards continued
her acting career
in the years following the show’s end.
Kim Richards on July 20, 1970 | Source: Getty Images
She starred in several Disney films, including “Escape to Witch Mountain,” which cemented her status as one of Hollywood’s most popular child stars. But while her early career flourished, Richards struggled as she transitioned into adulthood.
Kim Richards, circa 1980 | Source: Getty Images
By her mid-twenties, she began
battling alcoholism
, an addiction that would haunt her for many years. Richards later revealed that she had her first real drink at 24, setting off a period of personal turmoil. Her addiction issues eventually led to an arrest for public intoxication, putting her struggles in the public eye.
On top of her battle with alcohol, Richards also endured significant personal loss. In 1991, her fiancé, John J. Collett, was
tragically murdered
in a hit job related to a business scheme gone wrong. The devastating loss tore her apart emotionally, and she struggled to recover for a long time.
Kim Richards attends the 4th annual Vanderpump Dog Foundation Gala on November 21, 2019 | Source: Getty Images
In later years, she also suffered the
death of her ex-husband
, Monty Brinson, in 2016. Despite their separation, the two remained close, and Richards mourned his passing deeply, sharing a heartfelt tribute on social media. However, despite the tragedies she faced, Richards eventually found happiness.
Now sober, she enjoys her role as a
proud grandmother
, having overcome many of the hardships that defined much of her adult life. For
Juliet Mills
, who played the iconic Nanny, those early years on set remain a source of fond memories, and she continues to reflect warmly on her time with the young cast.
Kim Richards (Prudence), Juliet Mills (Nanny), Trent Lehman (Butch), and David Doremus (Hal), on dated January 22, 1971 | Source: Getty Images
Juliet Mills Reflects on the Show’s Legacy
Mills, the heart of “Nanny and the Professor,” recalls
the series
and her time with the young actors with deep affection. Mills recalls that working with the children was a joyful experience, though each of them had different personalities and levels of dedication. She especially had a soft spot for Lehman, making his tragic passing all the more heartbreaking.
David Doremus (Hal), Trent Lehman (Butch), Juliet Mills (Nanny), Richard Long (The Professor), and Kim Richards (Prudence), dated February 26, 1971 | Source: Getty Images
In a
2019 interview
, Mills reflected on the difficulties child actors often face. She noted that a solid family foundation is essential to keeping young stars grounded. While she had the stability of her own family to support her career, she acknowledged that not every young actor is so fortunate.
The actress
emphasized how important it is for child stars not to let fame define them, a lesson her parents instilled in her at an early age. Even decades after the show ended, Mills understands why “Nanny and the Professor” still resonates with audiences.
David Doremus (Hal), Kim Richards (Prudence), Trent Lehman (Butch), Juliet Mills (Nanny), and Richard Long (The Professor), dated December 18, 1970 | Source: Getty Images
Though the young stars faced very different life paths, their contributions to the show left an indelible mark.
The show
continues to hold a special place in the hearts of its fans, cherished for its warmth, humor, and the memories it left behind.