Where Are They Now? Catching Up With The Stars Of 'An American Family'

The Original Reality TV Trailblazers

Before the glitz of the Kardashian clan dazzled our screens, there was the Loud family – pioneers of reality TV. Their series, "An American Family," aired in 1973, following parents Bill and Pat Loud and their five children as they navigated life in sunny SoCal. The show was a slice of Americana, capturing the everyday drama and joys of a seemingly average family with a revolutionary twist.

The show wasn't just about typical family squabbles; it brought the concept of divorce to the forefront of American living rooms. Bill and Pat Loud's marriage breakdown was a precursor to the countless televised splits that would follow in the decades ahead.

“We were just going along with what our lives were," said Delilah Loud in a 2019 interview, reflecting on the unique experience of being reality TV's first family.

Bill and Pat: A Complex Legacy

Bill Loud, the family patriarch, famously separated from Pat during the series, challenging the idyllic image of American family life. After the show wrapped, Bill briefly returned to public life when he remarried in 1975, but he and Pat eventually found common ground as "housemates" later in life. Bill passed away in 2018 at the ripe age of 97.

Pat, after her on-screen divorce, embraced her newfound celebrity. She penned two books and moved to New York, continuing her career in publishing. Pat passed away in 2021, remembered by her family as a "fierce, inflexible, forthright matriarch."

Lance Loud: A Queer Icon

Lance Loud, the eldest son, broke barriers by coming out on national TV. His visibility was groundbreaking, paving the way for future queer representation. Post-show, he made waves in journalism and with his band, The Mumps. Tragically, Lance passed away in 2001 from HIV/AIDS, but not before inviting the original filmmakers to document his journey, raising awareness and revisiting his legacy.

Quiet Lives and New Ventures

Kevin Loud chose a quieter path, shying away from the limelight after the show. Still, he made a brief appearance in a follow-up special and reportedly dabbled in the tech space with a virtual reality start-up.

Grant Loud also opted for a life away from the cameras, though his ties to the industry remained strong as a producer on "Jeopardy!" Delilah Loud, meanwhile, pursued a career behind the scenes in TV and advertising, cherishing the candid spontaneity of their family's reality debut.

"An American Family" might have wrapped decades ago, but the influence of the Loud family endures, echoing through the hills of Hollywood and beyond, reminding us of the reality pioneers who bravely laid the groundwork.