That's the way they became the Brady Brunch! The Brady Bunch is a beloved sitcom from the '70s, centered around a large blended family. Even years after the show has gone off the air, it is still loved and known to this day.
The show starred Robert Reed, Florence Henderson, Ann B. Davis, Maureen McCormick, Eve Plumb, Susan Olsen, Barry Williams, Christopher Knight and Mike Lookinland as the main cast. The former three have passed away, but all the children are still living and carrying on the legacy of the show.
Now, the house from the show was bought by HGTV, after they outbid many celebrities, including Lance Bass, and they remodeled it to its former glory.
Everyone seemed to enjoy their time on the show and have fond memories, but do we really know what is was like behind the scenes? Here's everything The Brady Bunch kids recently revealed about the show.
6 'A Very Brady Renovation'
Back in 2019, The Brady Bunch kids reunited for a special few epsiodes where HGTV was renovating the original Brady house called A Very Brady Reunion. All of the kids reunited to renovate their home with the help of the Property Brothers. The house was purchased by HGTV in 2018 for $3.5 million. The miniseries had seven episodes in total and was even nominated for an Emmy Award. The show garnered millions of viewers and showed how much the sitcom is still loved to this day.
5 Some Of The Original Cast Members Were Changed
On Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen, all six siblings reunited in December 2019. Olsen revealed before she was cast that Jodie Foster was up for the role of Cindy. Lookinland said that Mike Brady was originally supposed to be played by Gene Hackman. Joyce Bulifant was cast as Carol Brady before Florence Henderson. She even shot the pilot episode before she was let go, according to McCormick. The cast was confused when Bulifant was switched with Henderson, but it all worked out in the end.
4 Would They Do A 'Big Brother' Type Show In The Brady House?
In a speed round of questions asked by fans on Watch What Happens Live, Cohen asked the cast if they would live in the Brady house for six weeks all together, as like a Big Brother type thing. Olsen and Williams raised their hands right away. McCormick and Plumb were hard passes, both shaking their heads 'no.' Knight siad he might do one night with the cast. And Lookinland said he wants the place to himself. They all get along well, but they wouldn't want to do that for an extended period of time.
3 Barry Williams Spills Some Secrets
Barry Williams talked with Closer Weekly this month about the show and who is still close to who. He also revealed that the pilot episode will always be his favorite. “I like the pilot for its genuine quality. There was an innocence about it. We were getting to know each other. It tells the story and sets the tone for the humor and everything that was to follow.” Williams also revealed that he never gets tired of talking about The Brady Bunch. Even though being an actor had always been his dream, Williams revealed that if he wasn't in show biz he would want to be a lawyer.
2 Who Is Still Close To Who?
Sometimes when a major sitcom happens, the cast forms a forever bond and sometimes cast members don't talk to each other for a long time. For The Brady Bunch cast, they have all remained close, but some are closer than others. Knight said, “It was Mike [Lookinland]. I’m a little Huck Finn-ish and was looking to explore, and he was my little explorer buddy, although he always fashioned himself to be an adult. Only later in the show or even after did we the show we become closer and closer friends. He always cracked me up and was always great company. I would consider him my closest buddy. He also revealed he was close to his on-screen parents as well.
Mike Lookinland told Closer Weekly, that he and Knight are still very close, and they used to have sleepovers at each other's houses. He also revealed him and Susan were close and were always laughing together.
Olsen had such a close bond with Mike Lookinland that she named her son after him. She said that she was very close to her on-screen sisters as well and looked up to them.
1 How The Show Affected Their Real Life
Without the Brady Bunch, none of these actors would be as famous as they are. In an interview with The New York Post, Olsen said, “I think first time I realized ‘The Brady Bunch’ was cool was when I met the singer from the Black Crowes, who came running up to me and said, ‘Oh my gosh, our drummer would be crying if he was here because he has an ‘I Saw The Brady Bunch Live in Concert’ picture on his wall.’ Suddenly being cool with rock stars made a whole difference to me."
Knight felt that his role as a solid family member carried into his real life. Williams was very grateful for playing a part that gave him a long-lasting career.