The Brady Brunch’s Carol Brady, Florence Henderson dies at 82

The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences said that “Florence was not only America’s favorite TV mom, but television royalty”.

Henderson will be remembered for her role as Carol Brady, the sitcom about a widow with three daughters who marries a widower with three sons. Welcome to the program, and I’m so sorry for the loss of your co-star and friend. FILE – In this October 29, 2014 file photo, Florence Henderson arrives at the 2014 amfAR Inspiration Gala at Milk Studios in Los Angeles. “I did have a crush on her – I was also, like, 16”, he told the News with a laugh. She starred in “Fanny” on Broadway in the mid-1950s, when she was in her early 20s; “The King and I” at the Los Angeles Music Center; “South Pacific” at Lincoln Center; national tours of “Oklahoma!” and “The Sound of Music”; and “The Girl Who Came to Supper” (1963), Noel Coward’s last original Broadway musical.

“She’s been there when things have been hard or needed answering and she was in a unique position to be able to answer those things because she was so experienced, so professional and really understood the world that I was in”, Williams said. “I can’t say enough about the remarkable person she is”. “I always felt we stole the limelight from them”. But you did actually ask her out once, is that right? Williams said she liked the theme song, but didn’t sing it.

“She would sign every autograph, she would stay for hours, sign every 8 x 10 glossy, answer every fan letter because to her it was a real – to be a celebrity”. They are the reason I’m still around.’ And it was an awesome sight. She was surrounded by loved ones.

The show went on to return in various forms, among them a 1995 film in which she played the mother of her former character.

“What is the one thing that, I guess, is the most different about you from Carol Brady?”.

MARIE DENN: (As Mrs. Johnson) Mrs. Brady, I can understand your wanting to believe your own son.

Williams took to Twitter on Friday morning after hearing the news of her death. And that is – let me – I could nearly use Florence’s words.

“I created the kind of mother that I wished I’d had, and I think everyone longs for”, she said. Numerous memoirs also kept interest in the show alive as cast members revealed they were more than just siblings off camera.

Henderson, who herself was once a contestant on DWTS, and who as recently as this year had been shooting an action-comedy (due to be released in 2017) with Judge Reinhold and Pam Grier, was taken to the nation’s hearts as Carol Brady, the mom from The Brady Bunch. Florence hooked her ankles under a seat and reached over the boat to pull the young actress out of the water. According to her manager Kayla Pressman, her death is really shocking news for us as she was absolutely fit and fine and was not suffering from any health issues. Privileged to have known her and the kindness of her heart.

SHAPIRO: How would she do that?