The Douglas Family Reunion: Where Are The 'My Three Sons' Cast Now? (2025 Update)

Decades after the beloved sitcom My Three Sons concluded its phenomenal 12-season run, the Douglas family remains one of the most iconic and enduring portraits of American family life on television. As of late 2025, the show is back in the news thanks to a rare, highly anticipated reunion event that is bringing the surviving cast members together, sparking fresh interest in the lives of the stars who played Chip, Ernie, and Katie Douglas.

Running from 1960 to 1972, this wholesome series offered a comforting narrative of a widowed father, Steve Douglas, raising his boys, first with the help of grandfatherly 'Bub' O’Casey, and later with the irascible Uncle Charley. This article dives into the current whereabouts of the surviving cast, the fascinating behind-the-scenes secrets that made the show a production marvel, and the exciting details surrounding their September 2025 gathering at The Hollywood Show.

The Core Family: Where Are the Stars Now? (2025 Update)

The original cast of My Three Sons saw several key changes over its 380-episode run, a necessity that kept the show fresh for over a decade. While patriarch Fred MacMurray, eldest sons Mike (Tim Considine) and Robbie (Don Grady), and the two beloved grandfathers (William Frawley and William Demarest) have passed away, the next generation of Douglas family members continues to celebrate the show's legacy, with several stars scheduled to appear at a rare reunion in September 2025.

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Stanley Livingston (Richard "Chip" Douglas)

• Full Name: Stanley Bernard Livingston
• Born: November 24, 1950 (Age 74 as of late 2025)
• Role on Show: Chip Douglas, the youngest of the original three sons, who grew up entirely on the series, from age 10 to 21.
• Post-Show Career: Livingston is a true Hollywood veteran, having spent 68 years in the entertainment industry. He transitioned from acting to working behind the camera as a director, producer, and editor. He is actively involved in preserving the show's history and frequently appears at fan conventions.
• Current Life: He is married to Paula Drake and has continued to work in production, making him one of the most prominent faces of the show's legacy.

Barry Livingston (Ernie Douglas)

• Full Name: Barry Gordon Livingston
• Born: December 17, 1953 (Age 71 as of late 2025)
• Role on Show: Ernie Douglas, the adopted son who replaced Mike Douglas (Tim Considine) in the cast lineup. He is also Stanley Livingston's real-life younger brother.
• Post-Show Career: Unlike many child stars, Barry successfully parlayed his early success into a lifelong, consistent career in film and television. He has appeared in numerous modern projects, including roles in The Social Network, Argo, and Mad Men.
• Current Life: Barry is a true "Hollywood survivor" and continues to work regularly in the industry, often sharing stories about his time on the show through interviews and public appearances.

Tina Cole (Katie Miller Douglas)

• Full Name: Christina Yvonne Cole
• Born: August 4, 1943 (Age 82 as of late 2025)
• Role on Show: Katie Miller Douglas, the wife of Robbie Douglas (Don Grady), who joined the show in 1967 and later gave birth to triplets, expanding the Douglas family.
• Post-Show Career: Following her television career, Cole directed the Sacramento Children's Theatre and worked as an acting coach. She also has a background as a singer.
• Current Life: Tina is affectionately known as "Mama Swag" for her work mentoring emerging artists and young business professionals, remaining active in the arts community and often reuniting with her former castmates for special events.

5 Shocking Behind-the-Scenes Secrets That Defined the Douglas Family

While My Three Sons presented a picture of idyllic, suburban life, the production of the show was marked by several unique and complex arrangements that were unheard of in 1960s television. These fascinating facts are key to understanding the show's incredible longevity and its place in TV history.

1. The Unbelievable Fred MacMurray Contract

The biggest star on the set, Fred MacMurray (Steve Douglas), was an established film actor who was hesitant to commit to a demanding, long-term television schedule. To secure his involvement, the show's producers agreed to a revolutionary contract.

MacMurray's deal stipulated that he only had to work a maximum of 65 days per year on the show. This highly unusual arrangement meant that all of his scenes for an entire season were filmed in a condensed block of time. The remaining cast members, including the three sons and the grandfathers, would then film their scenes around MacMurray’s pre-shot footage, often talking to a stand-in or an empty space where his character was supposed to be. This unique contract was a major factor in the show's financial viability, allowing MacMurray to continue his lucrative film career while starring in the series.

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2. The Mid-Series Network and Color Revolution

In 1965, after five successful seasons and 184 episodes, My Three Sons was effectively canceled by its original network, ABC. The reason? ABC was bowing to pressure to switch to color broadcasting, but the show's production company felt the added expense was not worth it, preferring to remain in black-and-white.

In a move that saved the series, CBS immediately picked up the show. The change of networks prompted a significant overhaul: the series moved to CBS, and production switched to color starting with the sixth season. This network switch and color transition is one of the most dramatic and successful mid-run revivals in classic television history, allowing the show to continue for another seven years.

3. The Two Grandfathers: Bub and Charley

The role of the Douglas family's live-in grandfather figure was critical to the show's premise. The original grandfather was William Frawley, who played Michael Francis "Bub" O'Casey. Frawley, famous for his role as Fred Mertz on I Love Lucy, was in poor health and was only given a contract with the stipulation that he could be replaced if his health failed. When Frawley's health declined, he was written out and replaced by William Demarest, who played Steve Douglas's uncle, Charles "Charley" O'Casey.

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The transition was seamless, with the show simply stating that Bub had gone to travel the world. Demarest's gruff, lovable character became an equally iconic figure in the series' second half, proving the show's ability to adapt and thrive.

4. The Real-Life Brothers and the Adoption Plot

The Douglas family saw a significant shift in its core lineup when Tim Considine, who played the eldest son Mike, left the series. To maintain the "three sons" premise, the show introduced Ernie Thompson, a friend of Chip's who was adopted by Steve Douglas. The actor chosen to play Ernie was Barry Livingston, the real-life younger brother of Stanley Livingston (Chip Douglas). This authentic family connection added a layer of genuine chemistry to the Douglas household, a detail that fans often find charming.

5. The Douglas House Was a Hollywood Icon

The iconic, two-story colonial house used for the exterior shots of the Douglas family residence is a real home located in Studio City, California. This house became instantly recognizable to millions of viewers and is one of the most famous homes in television history, alongside the homes from The Brady Bunch and Leave It to Beaver. The interior sets, however, were filmed on a soundstage, like most sitcoms of the era.

The Enduring Legacy of the Douglas Clan

My Three Sons holds a unique place in the history of television. It was one of the longest-running sitcoms of its era, spanning 12 seasons and 380 episodes, a feat rarely achieved today. The series is credited with being one of the most influential domestic comedies of its time, presenting a stable, moral center during a decade of tremendous social and political upheaval in America.

The show’s success lay in its simplicity and its focus on relatable family issues, from dating and school to career choices and marriage. It was a show that evolved with its characters, seeing the boys grow from childhood to adulthood, marry, and start their own families, such as Robbie's marriage to Katie and the birth of their triplets.

The current excitement surrounding the September 2025 reunion, which promises to bring together several surviving cast members for a special event, is a testament to the show's enduring appeal. For a new generation, the show offers a nostalgic look at a bygone era, while for longtime fans, it remains a comforting and beloved piece of classic American television. The legacy of Steve Douglas and his boys is not just about the episodes, but about the timeless portrayal of a loving, if unconventional, family unit.

The availability of the series on various streaming platforms and cable networks ensures that the wholesome, enduring stories of the Douglas family—Steve, Mike, Robbie, Chip, Ernie, Bub, and Uncle Charley—will continue to resonate with audiences for decades to come, proving that the bond between a father and his sons is truly timeless.