The Brady Bunch, a beloved family sitcom that aired from 1968 to 1974, has been a staple
of American television for decades.
However, behind the scenes, the show was not as innocent as it appeared.
From rumored affairs to drug use, the cast members had their fair share of secrets and
scandals.
Recently, Susan Olsen, who played the youngest Brady child, Cindy, set the record straight
on some of the most persistent rumors.
Join FactsVerse as we delve into the secrets and scandals that lurked behind the scenes
of this beloved show.
Drug issues During the cultural revolution of the 1970s,
even the seemingly wholesome world of "The Brady Bunch" was not untouched by the era's
widespread experimentation with drugs.
Barry Williams, who portrayed the eldest Brady son, Greg, admitted to partaking in this societal
trend.
He confessed to experimenting with marijuana during the show's run, even showing up to
work under the influence during the filming of the episode "Law and Disorder."
This incident, which he later reflected on during a Brady Bunch convention talk in 2014,
highlighted his realization that he was a much better actor when completely sober.
Parallel to Williams' experiences, Maureen McCormick, who played the eldest Brady daughter,
Marcia, faced her own struggles with substance abuse.
Despite being just 14 years old when the series first aired, McCormick faced a challenging
battle with anxiety and personal insecurities as a result of portraying the beloved and
virtuous character of Marcia.
During her teenage years, she found solace in the flawless persona of Marcia Brady, but
the constant fear of being exposed for who she truly was consumed her.
Even after the series ended, McCormick's fear lingered, leading to a downward spiral of
drug abuse, as well as depression.
McCormick's wild tales of drug-fueled nights at the Playboy Mansion are not for the faint
of heart.
She even admits to being so intoxicated that she missed out on a chance to audition for
a coveted role in Steven Spielberg's "Raiders of the Lost Ark."
Having overcome her struggles with addiction in the mid-80s, she now embraces and finds
solace in her iconic Brady persona.
McCormick candidly discussed these personal challenges in her memoir, "Here's the Story:
Surviving Marcia Brady and Finding My True Voice."
Secret identity In an era when societal norms and expectations
were rigid and often unyielding, Robert Reed, who portrayed the quintessential family man
Mike Brady on "The Brady Bunch," was privately grappling with his own identity.
Reed was gay, a fact he had to conceal from the public eye due to the prevailing attitudes
of the time toward that identity.
Reed's portrayal of Mike Brady was a paragon of the traditional family man, a loving husband,
and a caring father.
Yet, off-screen, he was forced to live a double life, concealing his true sexuality.
Reed had internal struggles and sadness as a result of the contrast between his public
persona and private life.
Florence Henderson, who played Reed's on-screen wife, Carol Brady, shed light on Reed's struggles
in an interview with ABC News.
She revealed that Reed was unhappy, largely due to the strain of hiding his true self.
Henderson expressed her belief that the societal norms of the time would not have allowed "The
Brady Bunch" to exist if the public had known that Robert Reed was gay.
Reed's unwavering dedication to his work in the face of societal pressures highlights
his remarkable courage and resilience.
The Cast Making Out Behind the facade of the idyllic family life
depicted on "The Brady Bunch," the young actors were not immune to the natural inquisitiveness
and explorations that come with adolescence.
While the cameras were off, the Brady bunch were just regular kids who experienced their
fair share of innocent off-screen love.
In a revealing interview, Susan Olsen spilled the beans on some behind-the-scenes antics
of the Brady Bunch cast.
According to Olsen, the cast members frequently engaged in playful kissing sessions, sparking
curiosity among fans about what really went on when the cameras stopped rolling.
It's hard to swallow, but the truth is that even child stars have their secrets.
She revealed that she and her on-screen brother used to sneak away to the doghouse on set
to share some innocent kisses.
It may sound scandalous, but they were just nine years old at the time!
As per her account, they lead a secluded life for a certain period, leaving them with no
option but to develop a fondness for their peers.
Hence, if there's anyone to have a crush on or pursue romantically, it would be their
counterparts.
Interestingly enough, the eldest Brady siblings, Greg and Marcia, played by Barry Williams
and Maureen McCormick, respectively, also had a romantic connection.
Beyond mere childhood games, their off-screen love story was a true bond that blossomed
between two young stars navigating the limelight.
In his memoir "Growing Up Brady," Williams spilled the beans on his infatuation with
McCormick, shedding light on the intricate relationships that existed off-camera among
the Brady Bunch cast.
Alleged Affair
Throughout the years, Susan Olsen, the former child star renowned for her role as Cindy
Brady in "The Brady Bunch," has been confronted with various peculiar rumors about the popular
1970s sitcom.
However, one rumor, specifically concerning her on-screen sibling Greg Brady and TV mom
Carol Brady, has been a particular source of concern for her.
According to her, there is a need to address the alleged on-set relationship involving
her TV family.
In a candid interview with Fox News Digital, Olsen expressed her discomfort with the rumors
suggesting an affair between Florence Henderson and Barry Williams.
She pointed out the significant age difference at the time of the alleged incident, with
Williams being 15 and Henderson 36.
Olsen went on to clarify that while Williams did harbor feelings for Henderson, he had
no intention of acting on them.
She strongly emphasizes that there was nothing more to their relationship than mutual respect
and love, refuting any insinuations that something more was transpiring between them.
Florence Henderson, the beloved matriarch who passed away in 2016 at the age of 82,
had previously commented on the matter.
In a 1991 interview with People magazine, she shared that he had had a crush on her
and had asked her out for a date, which she said she would never forget.
Henderson reminisced about the sweet nature of the occasion, mentioning that Barry's father
had accompanied them since he was too young to drive.
They went to the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles and enjoyed the performance of a singer, after
which Barry's father picked him up.
Henderson stressed the seriousness of the crash, asserting that she treated him with
respect and never condescended to him.
She also clarified that, while she liked him, the relationship was not as significant as
some rumors implied.
Barry Williams, in his book "Growing Up Brady," addressed the story of his date with Henderson
and insisted that the date was merely a memorable dinner.
In a 2016 interview with PEOPLE, Williams also spoke about his relationship with Henderson,
stating that he hadn't sought to bed her but simply wanted to spend time with her.
Following Henderson's passing, Williams expressed his admiration, calling her "a mom, a friend,
a coworker, an inspiration, and a mentor."
Producer speaks Lloyd Schwartz, son of "The Brady Bunch" producer
Sherwood Schwartz, has also taken it upon himself to dispel a long-standing rumor that
has been associated with the iconic family sitcom.
Having worked closely with his father on the show during his youth, the 75-year-old writer
and producer recently reflected on cherished memories and addressed the long-standing speculation
surrounding an alleged affair between Florence Henderson and Barry Williams.
Lloyd disclosed to Fox News that over the years, there have been rumors circulating
about Barry and Florence, with different versions suggesting either a date or an affair, depending
on the source.
However, he clarified that it was all mere illusion and deception.
According to Lloyd, Barry had a genuine passion for music, while Florence was happily married
to a family of four children.
He elaborated that on one specific occasion, Barry's father acted as their chauffeur, driving
them to watch a singer perform.
Following the event, Barry's father also drove them back home, and Florence bid Barry farewell
with a friendly kiss on the cheek.
Lloyd firmly stated that the alleged affair between Barry and Florence was limited to
that date.
He also disclosed that the rumor gained traction once again following the release of Barry's
book.
Lloyd vividly remembered Florence contacting him, sharing her worries regarding the situation.
He reassured her, saying nobody would give it much attention.
Regrettably, his reassurances proved to be incorrect as the rumor continued to persist.
Being on of the producers of the show, Lloyd Schwartz had a unique vision for the future
of "The Brady Bunch."
Following the death of Robert Reed, who played the Brady patriarch, Mike, Schwartz developed
a concept where Florence Henderson's character, Carol Brady, would start to date one of Greg's
friends seriously.
This idea presented an intriguing twist to the Brady narrative, offering a potential
exploration of Carol's life and relationships beyond her role as a mother and wife.
It also hinted at a more mature direction for the show, focusing on adult relationships
and the complexities of dating after the loss of a spouse.
Unfortunately, this concept never materialized, leaving fans to only imagine the potential
directions the Brady story could have taken.
Contentions and Conflicts
Robert Reed, who passed away in 1992, was known to have had disagreements with the show's
producer, Schwartz, particularly over the storylines and visual gags incorporated into
each episode.
Reed, who had a background in Shakespearean theatre, was inclined towards a more serious
approach to the narratives, as per Schwartz's account to ABC News.
Schwartz acknowledged Reed's abilities as a "good actor" but also noted that Reed found
himself in a show he didn't initially want to be a part of, leading to increasing difficulties
for him.
Reed's dissatisfaction with the scripts was a recurring issue throughout the series.
This culminated in his character being excluded from the final episode of the original five-season
run.
The episode revolved around Greg's upcoming high school graduation and a prank that turned
his hair orange just before the significant event.
Reed was of the opinion that the storyline was subpar and reportedly insisted on a rewrite
of the episode, threatening not to appear otherwise.
Unfortunately, the show's decision-makers took him at his word, and the lines intended
for Mike were distributed between Carol and Alice.
Consequently, Reed was entirely absent from the series finale.
There you have it.
It's now time to hear from you.
Please share your thoughts on the rumors and scandals that surrounded this wonderful television
series.