She played Mary Bradford, the strong, self-assured eldest daughter on the ABC TV series Eight is Enough.
She began acting at age 13 on the television series The High Chaparral, which eventually led to other film and TV roles.
She apparently died from a drug overdose, with toxic levels of painkillers and antidepressants found in her bloodstream. Whether or not the overdose was intentional was unclear.
She was born in Walnut Creek, California. Her mother Mary Castellino worked as a children's talent agent.
She made one of her last appearances on TV in the soap opera Days of our Lives with Antony Alda.
