"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!
