Danny Bonaduce is steadily recovering after undergoing brain surgery to address hydrocephalus. His wife, Amy, recently updated fans on his condition via Twitter, mentioning that he had been experiencing balance issues and difficulty walking. The surgery, which took place three weeks ago, has significantly improved his mobility, and he's already back on the air.
Hydrocephalus, a neurological condition characterized by excess fluid buildup in the brain, can sometimes mimic symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Amy's tweet confirmed the diagnosis and the successful surgical intervention.
Earlier in June, both Danny and Amy reassured fans that the surgery had gone as planned, with Danny succinctly tweeting, "I lived." Amy later shared a photo of him out and about at a restaurant, further demonstrating his progress.
Bonaduce's health journey began last year with a mysterious illness affecting his speech and movement. He took a leave of absence from his radio show to focus on diagnosis and treatment. In a June 2022 interview, he described his struggles with balance, slurred speech, and a pervasive fear, emphasizing his hope for a clear diagnosis at the time.
Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), estimated to affect nearly a million people in the U.S., often presents with symptoms like gait problems, incontinence, and dementia. These symptoms can lead to misdiagnosis as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, or even simply attributed to aging. NPH can sometimes be linked to prior brain injuries or infections, but in some cases, the cause remains unknown.
Bonaduce rose to fame as Danny Partridge on "The Partridge Family," a popular television series airing from 1970 to 1974. The show, which centered around a musical family's adventures, also starred Shirley Jones, David Cassidy, and Susan Dey. In the years following the show's success, Bonaduce faced challenges with substance abuse, including a 1990 incident involving a no-contest plea to attempted cocaine purchase.
