"The Brady Bunch," one of the most beloved TV shows of the 1970s, presented an idealized
image of a blended family.
However, as with many Hollywood productions, there were stories behind the scenes that
contrasted with the wholesome image presented on screen.
In this video, we’re taking a look at some of the most interesting behind-the-scenes
tales of the show.
Join us, as Facts Verse presents: Scandalous Secrets You Never Knew About the Brady Bunch.
Barry Williams and Florence Henderson’s date
Barry Williams, of course, portrayed Greg Brady, the eldest of the Brady boys.
Florence Henderson played Carol Brady, and Carol and Greg shared a typical mother-son
relationship.
The relationship was wholesome, reinforcing the show's family-friendly image.
In his autobiography, "Growing Up Brady," Barry Williams wrote about his immense crush
on Florence Henderson.
Given the age difference (he was 15 and she was 36 when the show began), such feelings
might seem unexpected.
But Barry was experiencing adolescence in the unique environment of a TV set, surrounded
by adults, and Florence was a charming, beautiful, and kind figure.
Barry mentioned in various interviews and in his book that he mustered the courage to
ask Florence out, and to his surprise, she agreed.
The "date" was more of a casual dinner, and Florence Henderson, in later interviews, has
often downplayed its romantic aspect.
Instead, she framed it as an act of kindness towards a young co-star, giving him an opportunity
to spend time with her outside of work and discuss his feelings and experiences.
While the dinner was innocent, and both parties have clarified that nothing romantic transpired
beyond that, the very revelation was a shock to fans when Barry's book was released.
Both Barry and Florence maintained a friendly relationship throughout their lives.
Florence, until her passing in 2016, often spoke fondly of her TV family and the special
bond they all shared.
In the grand scheme of things, the "date" was a minor event in both of their lives,
but it has remained an enduring anecdote, a testament to the public's fascination with
the interplay between on-screen stories and off-screen realities.
Barry and Maureen Barry Williams and Maureen McCormick are best
known for their roles as the eldest siblings, Greg and Marcia Brady.
While their on-screen relationship depicted the typical ups and downs of sibling dynamics,
behind the scenes, the two young actors developed a bond that at times blurred the lines between
friendship and romance, especially considering the unique environment in which they were
growing up.
Their closeness in age, combined with the long hours they spent together on set, naturally
fostered a close friendship.
As the series progressed, their camaraderie began to take on a romantic hue.
The two began spending more time together off-set, and, according to accounts shared
in their respective memoirs, they experienced moments of romantic attraction.
A particular event that stands out in the chronicle of their relationship is their trip
to the beach, often described by Barry as a date.
The outing was filled with the typical awkwardness and sweetness that define teenage romances.
Additionally, there were moments on set where their personal feelings for each other influenced
their performances.
One such instance was their on-screen kiss during an episode in Hawaii.
Both actors have remarked on how the real-life chemistry they shared was evident in their
on-screen interactions.
As is common with many youthful romances, their relationship was marked by its fleeting
nature.
While they shared genuine feelings for a time, the romantic aspect of their bond didn't last
beyond the show's production years.
For ears, fans speculated about the nature of their relationship, fueled by tabloid reports
and rumors.
The speculations were confirmed when Barry Williams released his autobiography, "Growing
Up Brady," where he spoke candidly about his feelings and experiences with Maureen.
Maureen McCormick similarly shared her perspective in her memoir, "Here's the Story: Surviving
Marcia Brady and Finding My True Voice."
Robert Reed’s Sexuality Robert Reed, who brilliantly portrayed Mike
Brady, the endearing patriarch of "The Brady Bunch," was a classically trained actor with
a passion for his craft.
While he is fondly remembered for his role as a loving father and husband on one of America's
most beloved sitcoms, off-camera, Reed grappled with a deeply personal secret: his homosexuality.
The 1960s and 1970s were vastly different from today in terms of societal acceptance
of LGBTQ+ identities.
Homosexuality was stigmatized, and coming out could have severe personal and professional
repercussions.
Hollywood, despite its reputation for progressiveness, was not immune to this prejudice.
Actors who were known or suspected to be gay often faced discrimination, typecasting, or
complete ostracization from the industry Aware of the potential ramifications on his career,
Reed kept his sexuality a closely guarded secret from the broader public.
While he never publicly came out during his lifetime, those close to him, including some
cast members, were aware or had inklings about his sexuality.
Florence Henderson (Carol Brady) once mentioned in interviews that she and Reed shared a close
friendship, and he confided in her about his struggles with his sexual orientation.
Reed's need for privacy was so profound that even when he was diagnosed with HIV and later
succumbed to complications related to the virus in 1992, the initial statements about
his death omitted any mention of his HIV status.
The cast of "The Brady Bunch," particularly the younger members, remembered Reed as a
mentor and a deeply caring figure.
His sexuality did not define his relationships with them.
Many, in later years, expressed their love and admiration for Reed, noting that they
either didn't know or didn't care about his sexuality.
To them, he was a family member.
Reed’s Dislike of The Writing Robert Reed's portrayal of Mike Brady on "The
Brady Bunch" is synonymous with the loving, understanding father figure.
Yet, behind the scenes, Reed often found himself at odds with the show's direction, particularly
with its creator and producer, Sherwood Schwartz.
His classical training and his aspirations for a career in serious drama sometimes clashed
with the sitcom's light-hearted and occasionally, slapstick scripts.
Having studied at London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and having had experiences with
Shakespearean roles.
He had an appreciation for drama and realism, which sometimes was at odds with "The Brady
Bunch," a sitcom that often delved into zany and implausible situations.
Reed frequently voiced his displeasure about the show's scripts.
He felt that many episodes were unrealistic and didn't reflect the genuine challenges
and issues that blended families face.
His discontent was so pronounced that he would often send lengthy memos to Schwartz, detailing
his concerns and suggestions for improving the scripts.
These memos were not always well-received.
One of the most notable points of contention between Reed and Schwartz was the show's final
episode, "The Hair-Brained Scheme."
In this episode, Bobby Brady sells hair tonic, which turns Greg's hair orange just days before
his high school graduation.
Reed felt the plot was so ridiculous that he refused to appear in the episode.
Schwartz, unwilling to bend to Reed's demands, wrote him out of the show for that episode.
The tensions between Reed and Schwartz were not limited to memos and script disagreements.
Reed's dissatisfaction reached a point where he occasionally threatened to leave the show
altogether.
His deep care for the young cast members, whom he had mentored and grown close to, however,
played a significant role in his decision to stay.
His sense of commitment to them and the show's fans outweighed his professional frustrations.
Maureen’s Addiction Issues One of the most significant struggles in Maureen’s
life has been her battle with addiction, a topic she has openly discussed in interviews
and her memoir, in hopes of shedding light on the issue and helping others.
McCormick's initial experiences with drugs began at a young age, during the peak of "The
Brady Bunch" fame.
The pressures of the entertainment industry, combined with the typical rebelliousness and
curiosity of adolescence, led her to experiment with drugs.
As she transitioned from a teen star to an adult in Hollywood, her casual drug use turned
more serious.
She developed addictions to cocaine and quaaludes, which had devastating impacts on her personal
and professional life.
McCormick herself has admitted that her drug use became so rampant that she often traded
sex for drugs.
Her addiction had severe repercussions on her career.
McCormick missed auditions, was late to set, and her overall reliability as an actress
was questioned.
This led to a decline in job offers and significantly impacted her ability to maintain a steady
acting career post-"The Brady Bunch."
Recognizing the toll addiction was taking on her life, McCormick sought help.
Through therapy, support from loved ones, and her determination, she embarked on the
difficult journey of recovery.
Her road to sobriety was not without its challenges, but she managed to overcome them and rebuild
her life.
Susan’s Hair!
Susan Olsen, who played the lovable youngest daughter Cindy Brady on "The Brady Bunch,"
went through quite an ordeal concerning her hair during the production of the show.
The iconic "Cindy Brady" look, complete with golden blonde curls, was not naturally sustainable
throughout the series' run, leading to some unforeseen challenges for the young actress.
While Susan was naturally blonde, her hair wasn't the bright, golden blonde the producers
desired for the character of Cindy.
To achieve and maintain this desired shade, her hair underwent frequent bleaching treatments,
which, over time, had adverse effects.
The continuous chemical processing, which was quite harsh, especially by today's hair
care standards, led to significant damage.
As a result, Susan's hair became brittle, weakened, and began breaking off.
There were reports that it reached a point where her hair started falling out in clumps.
The health of her hair was compromised to such an extent that the show's hairstylists
had to resort to alternative solutions.
To address the issue and maintain Cindy's characteristic look, wigs became a necessity.
By the later seasons of "The Brady Bunch," Susan was often wearing a wig to portray Cindy,
ensuring that the character's image remained consistent.
Now it’s time to hear from you.
Which was the most surprising Brady Bunch fact to learn?
Let us know in the comments section below!