Former Disney Child Star is Back- as a Real Housewife of Beverly Hills

Back in the 1970's, child star Kim Richards was a hot commodity. Besides nabbing the role of Prudence on the television series Nanny and the Professor, she starred in classic Disney movies like Escape to Witch Mountain and No Deposit No Return. She made a cameo on just about every popular TV series of the era - from Little House on the Prairie to Diff'rent Strokes to the obligatory Love Boat episode - and she even did two ABC Afterschool Specials (remember those?).

Now, after a looooooong hiatus that included raising her four kids, Kim Richards is back on TV. But it's not in an acting role- or is it?

According to Entertainment Weekly, Richards is one of the cast members slated for the upcoming season of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Joining her on the Real Housewives cast is her sister, Kyle Richards (also a child actress) , as well as Kelsey Grammer's ex- wife Camille and Adrienne Maloof (one of the Palms Resort owners). The rest of the cast includes Taylor Armstrong, who likes to throw $50,000 parties for her kid, and Lisa Vanderpump (the name alone could have garnered her a slot on this show).

The promo for The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills shows plenty of cat fighting and a big dose of animosity between the Richards sisters. In one segment Kyle Richards explains that big sister Kim is "too dependent on her kids" and she alludes to "underlying issues" that she and her sister haven't dealt with over the years.

But with over 50 acting credits to her name, it's a shame Kim Richards' acting career is only a footnote on her Real Housewives profile. Instead she's being touted for being Paris Hilton's aunt. Bummer.

For a look at the crazy trailer for this show, go here.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills premieres on October 14, 2010 on Bravo.

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Sources:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001668/

http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/08/31/the-real-housewives-of-beverly-hills-meet-the-cast/