Willie Aames (born July 15, 1960) is an American actor, film and television director, television producer, and screenwriter. He played Tommy Bradford on the 1970s' Eight Is Enough, and Buddy Lembeck on the 1980s sitcom Charles in Charge.

Early life and career

Born Albert William Upton in Orange County, California, Aames attended Edison High School in Huntington Beach, California, and was in both the choir and the Madrigal Ensemble. Aames began acting in the early 1970s as a child actor. In 1971, he originated the role of Leonard Unger, the son of Felix Unger (Tony Randall), on the ABC-TV series The Odd Couple, a part that was later played by Leif Garrett. The following year, he voiced the character of Jamie Boyle in the animated series Wait till Your Father Gets Home. Aames has guest starred on various television series including The Waltons and Adam-12. In 1974, he portrayed a 12-year old Benjamin Franklin in the miniseries Benjamin Franklin. The next year, he co-starred in the short lived series We'll Get By.