The Tragic And Triumphant Lives Of The Stars Of 'My Three Sons': Who Is Still Alive Today?

The beloved family sitcom My Three Sons, which graced television screens for 12 seasons from 1960 to 1972, remains a cornerstone of classic Americana, chronicling the life of widower Steve Douglas and his boys. The show’s enduring legacy continues to spark curiosity about the actors who played the Douglas family and their friends, especially given the show's long run and the decades that have passed since its finale. As of late 2025, the lives of the cast have seen both triumphs and heartbreaking losses, with major updates concerning the health of one of its later, but most memorable, child stars.

The question "What happened to the cast of My Three Sons?" is frequently asked by fans of the classic 60s sitcom, and the answer is a mix of continued Hollywood careers and the sad reality of passing time. Three core cast members—Stanley Livingston, Barry Livingston, and Tina Cole—are still alive and active in the industry, while another, Dawn Lyn, has faced a severe, ongoing health crisis that has rallied the surviving Douglas family together. This article provides a definitive, current look at the stars, their careers, and their final years.

The Complete Douglas Family: From Steve to Dodie (Biography & Final Years)

The long-running nature of My Three Sons meant the cast evolved over its 380 episodes, requiring several key replacements. Here is a complete profile of the central stars, including their roles, birth/death dates, and notable career highlights.

• The Unseen Story Jessica Simpsons Battle For Privacy And Body Image In A Digital Age Mlvqa

• Fred MacMurray (Steve Douglas)
  • Role: Steven "Steve" Douglas, the widowed aeronautical engineer and patriarch.
  • Life Span: August 30, 1908 – November 5, 1991 (Age 83).
  • Details: MacMurray was a major film star before the show and famously negotiated a contract that allowed him to film all his scenes in two months, giving him time for other projects. He suffered from throat cancer in the late 1970s and leukemia for over a decade before his death in Santa Monica, California.
• Tim Considine (Mike Douglas)
  • Role: Mike Douglas, the original eldest son.
  • Life Span: December 31, 1940 – March 3, 2022 (Age 81).
  • Details: Considine left the show after the fifth season when his character, Mike, married and moved away. He later became a respected photographer and automotive historian, though he did appear in the film *Patton*. His death in 2022 was a significant loss for classic TV fans.
• Don Grady (Robbie Douglas)
  • Role: Robbie Douglas, the middle son (and later, the eldest after Mike left).
  • Life Span: June 8, 1944 – June 27, 2012 (Age 68).
  • Details: Grady was a former Mouseketeer and, after the show, pursued a successful career in music, composing the theme song for *The Phil Donahue Show* and other scores. He died from cancer.
• Stanley Livingston (Richard "Chip" Douglas)
  • Role: Chip Douglas, the youngest of the original three sons.
  • Life Span: Born November 24, 1950 (Age 74 as of late 2025).
  • Details: One of the few original cast members still alive, Stanley transitioned to working behind the camera as a producer and director. He is the older brother of co-star Barry Livingston.
• Barry Livingston (Ernie Thompson-Douglas)
  • Role: Ernie Thompson-Douglas, the adopted son who replaced Mike.
  • Life Span: Born December 17, 1953 (Age 71 as of late 2025).
  • Details: Barry remains an active and recognizable character actor in Hollywood. His career has continued steadily in recent years.
• William Frawley (William "Bub" Michael Francis O'Casey)
  • Role: Steve's father-in-law and the family's housekeeper (1960–1965).
  • Life Span: February 26, 1887 – March 3, 1966 (Age 79).
  • Details: Frawley was famously known as Fred Mertz on *I Love Lucy*. He was written out of *My Three Sons* due to declining health, as the studio could no longer secure insurance for him. He died shortly thereafter.
• William Demarest (Uncle Charley O'Casey)
  • Role: Bub's brother and replacement family caretaker (1965–1972).
  • Life Span: February 27, 1892 – December 28, 1983 (Age 91).
  • Details: Demarest stepped in to fill the "Bub O'Casey replacement" role for the remainder of the series. He was a prolific character actor known for his Oscar-nominated role in *The Jolson Story*.

The Surviving Douglas Family: Active Careers and Recent Projects

The three main surviving cast members—Stanley Livingston, Barry Livingston, and Tina Cole—have all found ways to maintain a connection to Hollywood and the arts, proving that the Douglas family spirit remains strong decades after the show ended. Their current activities offer a fresh perspective on the stars of this classic show.

Stanley and Barry Livingston: The Real-Life Brothers

The adoption of Ernie Douglas (Barry Livingston) into the family was a creative solution to keep the show's title relevant after Mike (Tim Considine) departed. In a rare occurrence for a sitcom, the actors playing the brothers, Chip and Ernie, were real-life siblings. This unique dynamic, the "Stanley and Barry Livingston brothers" connection, has lasted throughout their lives and careers.

Stanley Livingston (Chip Douglas), now in his mid-70s, has shifted his focus from acting to the creative side of the business. He operates his own production company and has worked as an actor, producer, and director. While he took a hiatus from acting, his official website promotes his ongoing work in Hollywood, including recent appearances and projects that highlight his versatility beyond the role of Chip. He frequently participates in classic TV conventions and reunions, keeping the legacy of the show alive for fans.

• Shania Twains Bold Statement Why The Star Chose Nude Photoshoots At 57 Qf9cg

Barry Livingston (Ernie Douglas) has maintained a robust and steady acting career, successfully transitioning from child star to a respected character actor. His recent acting credits showcase his ability to adapt to modern television. Fans of contemporary crime dramas and sci-fi have seen him in roles in recent years, including the Amazon Freevee series *Bosch: Legacy* (2022) and the ABC police drama *The Rookie* (2021). He has also worked in theater, including a stage production of *Cyrano de Bergerac*. Barry Livingston's work in shows like *Mad Men* and the film *Zodiac* further cement his status as a working actor who survived the challenges of child stardom.

Tina Cole: From Katie Douglas to Children’s Theatre Director

Tina Cole (Katie Miller Douglas), who played Robbie Douglas’s wife and the mother of triplets, is the most prominent female star still alive from the show’s later seasons. She turned 81 in 2024 and has dedicated her post-television career to the arts and education. Cole previously served as the director of the Sacramento Children's Theatre, where she helped mentor the next generation of performers. She also works as an acting coach, demonstrating her commitment to passing on her knowledge of the entertainment industry. Cole remains a vital link to the show’s "color era," which began when the series moved to CBS.

The Health Battle of Dawn Lyn: The Latest and Most Urgent Update

The most compelling and recent news regarding the *My Three Sons* cast centers on Dawn Lyn (Dodie Harper Douglas), the adopted daughter who joined the family in the later seasons. While not one of the original three sons, her character, Dodie, became an integral part of the Douglas family unit.

• The One Where They Tanked Jokes 15 Shocking New Secrets From The Friends Tv Show Behind The Scenes G9zdh

In late 2022, Dawn Lyn, who is also the sister of 1970s teen idol Leif Garrett, suffered a severe health crisis. She was diagnosed with a non-malignant brain tumor and subsequently fell into a coma after undergoing brain surgery in October 2022. The news of the "Dodie Douglas health update" quickly spread among the classic TV community, prompting an outpouring of support from fans and her former co-stars.

The recovery for Lyn has been a long and arduous process, with her husband, John Reese, providing frequent updates on her ongoing health battle. Her former co-star, Tina Cole, was one of the first to share hopeful news after Lyn woke from the coma, calling it a "miracle." Despite the initial recovery, Lyn has faced subsequent health setbacks, including multiple recent emergency room visits and additional surgeries. The community of surviving *My Three Sons* cast members, particularly Tina Cole and the Livingston brothers, have remained close and supportive throughout her ordeal, providing a heartwarming real-life parallel to the close-knit Douglas family.

The fact that Dawn Lyn’s medical struggles and the subsequent support from her former castmates are still being reported on in late 2025 highlights the enduring topical authority of the series. Fans remain deeply curious about the personal lives of the actors who brought the Douglas family to life. While many of the original stars, including Fred MacMurray and Don Grady (Robbie Douglas), have passed away, the surviving cast members continue to honor their legacy through their own active careers and their public support for one another, proving that the bonds of the classic sitcom family are unbreakable.

The tragic fate of the earlier cast members, such as the relatively young deaths of Tim Considine and Don Grady, serve as a reminder of the time that has passed since the show’s debut. However, the continued activity of Stanley Livingston, Barry Livingston, and Tina Cole, coupled with the hopeful, though challenging, journey of Dawn Lyn, ensures that the stars of *My Three Sons* remain a relevant and compelling topic for classic television enthusiasts today.