Florence Henderson

Actress

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The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About

About this interview

In her four-and-a-half-hour interview, Florence Henderson (1934-2016) discusses her career as an actress, first on Broadway, and later on television. She talks about her appearances on The Tonight Show with Jack Paar and becoming the show's first female guest host. She speaks of her tenure as a "Today Girl" on NBC's Today, and recalls her appearance on Jim Henson's The Muppet Show. She then details her time as "Carol Brady" on the hit sitcom The Brady Bunch, reminisces about later Brady incarnations (made-for-television movies and feature films), and speaks of the place that the show holds in pop culture. She touches on her long-time affiliation with Wesson Oil, and mentions her work on the first EmmyCast (a live interactive webcast accompanying the Emmys telecast), and on NBC's Later Today. Michael Rosen conducted the interview in two parts on October 20 and October 29, 1999 in New York, NY.

All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.

"I think that God does give us all different gifts and sometimes it takes people longer to find what that gift is. I was just lucky that I found it early. I loved to entertain. I loved to make people smile. I loved to make them feel something and I've never lost that desire."

People Talking About ...

Florence Henderson

Highlights

Florence Henderson on how she got cast as "Carol Brady" on The Brady Bunch

03:26

Florence Henderson on becoming the first female guest host on The T onight Show

01:00

Florence Henderson on her commercials for Wesson Oil

03:55

Florence Henderson on starring in "The King and I" with Ricardo Montalban

04:10

Florence Henderson on one of the highlights of her career: being on The Muppet Show

00:43

Full Interview

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Chapter 1

On her childhood and early interests; on living through the Depression years; on loving music and books as a child

On attending the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York; on deciding to become an actress and working on Broadway

Chapter 2

On her work in theater productions of "Wish You Were Here", "Oklahoma!", and "Fanny"

On her early memories of television; on her first TV appearances on The Tex and Jinx Show, The Bell Telephone Hour, and Sing Along; on getting married

Chapter 3

On her appearances on The Tonight Show aka The Jack Paar Show, and becoming a regular and the first female guest host on the show

On co-hosting jobs and appearances on The Big Record; on being a "Today Girl" on Today

On working during her pregnancies

Chapter 4

On her appearances on The Dean Martin Show, The Jackie Gleason Show, The Jonathan Winters Show

On her game show appearances and enjoying being on Password and Hollywood Squares; on touring with "The Sound of Music" and starring in "The King and I" with Ricardo Montalban; on Later Today

On how she got cast as "Carol Brady" on The Brady Bunch

Chapter 5

On the success of The Brady Bunch and why the show appealed to her; on The Brady Bunch creator Sherwood Schwartz

On shooting the pilot and production on the show; on being peacemaker between Robert Reed and Sherwood Schwartz

On the development of "Carol Brady" on The Brady Bunch; on working with Ann B. Davis; on how the children were cast on the show

Chapter 6

On the children and their real-life parents on the set of The Brady Bunch; on her role as "Carol Brady" and her character's look and wardrobe

On memorable episodes of The Brady Bunch - playing her own grandmother, shooting in Hawaii, the song and dance numbers, and her favorite episodes

On the end of The Brady Bunch; on her appearances on The Tom Jones Show, The Muppet Show, and The Love Boat

Chapter 7

On her role on Just Another Kid: an AIDS Story; on her cooking shows

On The Brady Bunch movies; on advice to aspiring actors; on her mentors

Chapter 8

On the cast and guest stars on The Brady Bunch; on shooting at Paramount; on the actors who played her children on The Brady Bunch and her "date" with Barry Williams

On the cancellation of The Brady Bunch; on the reunion specials and spin-off series: The Brady Bunch Hou r, The Brady Girls Get Married, and The Brady Brides

On her commercials for Wesson Oil

Chapter 9

On her work on the Wesson oil commercials

On her appearances on Nashville Now, and Hart to Hart; on hosting the first awards show on the web; on her website

On appearing on Murder She Wrote and A Very Brady Christmas

On working with Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson; on spoofing "Carol Brady" on Day by Day and resuming the role of "Carol Brady" on The Bradys

Chapter 10

On co-authoring a book with children's show creator Sherri Lewis

On her work on Ellen and The Rosie O'Donnell Show; on co-hosting Later Today; on how she'd like to be remembered

Shows

Bell Telephone Hour, The

Florence Henderson on appearing on The Bell Telephone Hour

01:48

Brady Brides, The

Florence Henderson on The Brady Girls Get Married and The Brady Brides

01:39

Brady Bunch Hour, The

Florence Henderson on The Brady Bunch Hour

03:42

Brady Bunch, The

Florence Henderson on how she got cast as "Carol Brady" on The Brady Bunch

03:26

Florence Henderson on the success of The Brady Bunch and why the show appealed to her

02:31

Florence Henderson on The Brady Bunch creator Sherwood Schwartz

00:44

Florence Henderson on auditioning for The Brady Bunch

01:40

Florence Henderson on shooting the pilot of The Brady Bunch and production on the show

04:23

Florence Henderson on working with The Brady Bunch director John Rich

01:25

Florence Henderson on why The Brady Bunch was not filmed in multi-cam in front of an audience

01:09

Florence Henderson on a typical work week on The Brady Bunch

01:36

Florence Henderson on Robert Reed not getting along with show creator Sherwood Schwartz on The Brady Bunch

04:47

Florence Henderson on the development of "Carol Brady" on The Brady Bunch

04:36

Florence Henderson on working with Ann B. Davis ("Alice") on The Brady Bunch

01:25

Florence Henderson on how the kids were cast on The Brady Bunch

02:48

Florence Henderson on "Carol Brady" on The Brady Bunch

00:32

Florence Henderson on the children and their real-life parents on the set of The Brady Bunch

02:39

Florence Henderson on the premise of The Brady Bunch

03:11

Florence Henderson on what she brought to the role of "Carol Brady" on The Brady Bunch; on "Carol's" look

02:20

Florence Henderson on memorable episodes of The Brady Bunch

01:47

Florence Henderson on shooting The Brady Bunch in Hawaii and King's Island

02:51

Florence Henderson on shooting The Brady Bunch at the Grand Canyon

00:57

Florence Henderson on the song and dance numbers on The Brady Bunch

01:00

Florence Henderson on her own children appearing on The Brady Bunch and how they dealt with having a famous TV mom

02:54

Florence Henderson on her favorite episodes of The Brady Bunch

00:59

Florence Henderson on the end of The Brady Bunch

00:56

Florence Henderson on not feeling typecast as "Carol Brady" after the conclusion of The Brady Bunch

01:26

Florence Henderson on a possible spin-off of The Brady Bunch

00:43

Florence Henderson on teaching morality on The Brady Bunch

00:54

Florence Henderson on child stars on The Brady Bunch

02:10

Florence Henderson on her Brady Bunch co-star Robert Reed

00:58

Florence Henderson on guest stars and production of The Brady Bunch on the Paramount lot

06:14

Florence Henderson on working with child actors on The Brady Bunch

11:02

Florence Henderson on the cancellation of The Brady Bunch and the reunion specials

06:06

Brady Girls Get Married, The

Florence Henderson on The Brady Girls Get Married and The Brady Brides

01:39

Bradys, The

Florence Henderson on the series The Bradys

01:12

Coke Time

Florence Henderson on making a guest appearance on Coke Time with Eddie Fisher, while on Broadway in "Fanny"

01:26

Day by Day

Florence Henderson on spoofing "Carol Brady" on Day by Day

00:39

Dean Martin Show, The

Florence Henderson on appearing on The Dean Martin Show

05:37

Ed Sullivan Show, The aka Toast of the Town

Florence Henderson on singing in the off-camera chorus on The Ed Sullivan Show

00:30

Florence Henderson on her second appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show (with John Raitt)

02:02

Ellen

Florence Henderson on appearing on Ellen

02:04

Hart to Hart

Florence Henderson on her appearance on Hart to Hart

01:44

Hollywood Squares, The

Florence Henderson on her appearances on Hollywood Squares

00:26

Jackie Gleason Show, The

Florence Henderson on appearing on The Jackie Gleason Show

01:27

Jonathan Winters Show, The (1956-57)

Florence Henderson on appearing on The Jonathan Winters Show

01:06

Kelly's Kids

Florence Henderson on a possible spin-off of The Brady Bunch

00:43

Love Boat, The

Florence Henderson on appearing on The Love Boat

00:25

Muppet Show, The

Florence Henderson on one of the highlights of her career: being on The Muppet Show

00:43

Murder, She Wrote

Florence Henderson on her appearances on Murder, She Wrote

02:04

Password

Florence Henderson on her appearances on Password and going into labor on the show

01:10

Police Squad!

Florence Henderson on her appearance on Police Squad!

01:38

Rosie O'Donnell Show, The

Florence Henderson on appearing on The Rosie O'Donnell Show

02:45

Tex and Jinx Show, The

Florence Henderson on appearing on The Tex and Jinx Show

00:51

Today

Florence Henderson on being a "Today Girl" on Today

01:16

Florence Henderson on working with host Dave Garroway on Today

02:17

Florence Henderson on working with NBC's Pat Weaver

02:02

Florence Henderson on the hosts during her run as a "Today Girl" on Today

01:33

Florence Henderson on working on Today when Charles Van Doren was a correspondent

01:28

Florence Henderson on working on Later Today

01:17

Florence Henderson on co-hosting Later Today, which airs immediately after Today

04:23

Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, The

Florence Henderson on working with Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

07:04

Tonight Starring Jack Paar aka The Jack Paar Show

Florence Henderson on her first appearances on The Tonight Show aka The Jack Paar Show

04:33

Florence Henderson on becoming a regular on Jack Paar's Tonight Show

02:05

Florence Henderson on Jack Paar walking off The Tonight Show

01:40

Florence Henderson on becoming the first female guest host on The T onight Show

01:00

Florence Henderson on working with Hugh Downs on Jack Paar's Tonight Show

01:57

Florence Henderson on serving as guest host on The T onight Show

02:54

United States Steel Hour, The

Florence Henderson on appearing on The U.S. Steel Hour in 1957

01:58

Topics

Characters & Catchphrases

Florence Henderson on the development of "Carol Brady" on The Brady Bunch

04:36

Florence Henderson on "Carol Brady" and the concept of The Brady Bunch

00:32

Creative Influences and Inspiration

Florence Henderson on her mentors

00:54

Historic Events and Social Change

Florence Henderson on working during her pregnancies

01:42

Florence Henderson on her role in Just Another Kid: an AIDS Story

03:29

Industry Crossroads

Florence Henderson on working on Today when Charles Van Doren was a correspondent

01:28

Pivotal Career Moments

Florence Henderson on her mentors

00:54

Pop Culture

Florence Henderson on the development of "Carol Brady" on The Brady Bunch

04:36

Florence Henderson on "Carol Brady" and the concept of The Brady Bunch

00:32

Quiz Show Scandals

Florence Henderson on working on Today when Charles Van Doren was a correspondent

01:28

Representation on Television

Florence Henderson on working during her pregnancies

01:42

Television Industry

Florence Henderson on working on Today when Charles Van Doren was a correspondent

01:28

Women

Florence Henderson on working during her pregnancies

01:42

Professions

Actress

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Florence Henderson on deciding to become an actress

01:21

Florence Henderson on advice to young actors

01:02

Florence Henderson on making scenes believable

02:32

Performers

View Profession

Florence Henderson on deciding to become an actress

01:21

Florence Henderson on advice to young actors

01:02

Florence Henderson on making scenes believable

02:32

Genres

Comedy Series

Florence Henderson on how she got cast as "Carol Brady" on The Brady Bunch

03:24

Florence Henderson on production and the cast and creator of The Brady Bunch

28:40

Florence Henderson on working with the kids, memorable episodes, and the end of The Brady Bunch

22:10

Florence Henderson on her co-stars, the spin-offs and reunion specials of The Brady Bunch

24:30

Commercials

Florence Henderson on appearing in live television commercials

00:28

Florence Henderson on her commercials for Wesson Oil

03:55

Florence Henderson on the famous Wesson oil jingle

01:53

Game Shows

Florence Henderson on her game show appearances and the popularity of game shows

03:39

Late Night

Florence Henderson on becoming a regular guest and a guest host on The Tonight Show aka The Jack Paar Show

15:10

Talk Shows

Florence Henderson on being a "Today Girl" on Today

08:36

Florence Henderson on becoming a regular guest and a guest host on The Tonight Show aka The Jack Paar Show

15:10

People

Angela Lansbury

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Florence Henderson on her appearances on Murder, She Wrote

02:04

Ann B. Davis

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Florence Henderson on working with Ann B. Davis ("Alice") on The Brady Bunch

01:25

Barry Williams

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Florence Henderson on working with child actors on The Brady Bunch - Barry Williams - and her "date" with him

02:15

Bill Hayes

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Florence Henderson on her act with Bill Hayes, "The Singing Sweethearts" and her appearances on The Tonight Show

01:23

Bob Hope

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Florence Henderson on going to Australia with Bob Hope for his 75th birthday

00:50

Bob Stewart

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Florence Henderson on game show creator Bob Stewart

00:45

Charles Van Doren

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Florence Henderson on working on Today when Charles Van Doren was a correspondent

01:28

Christopher Knight

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Florence Henderson on working with child actors on The Brady Bunch - Christopher Knight

00:32

Dave Garroway

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Florence Henderson on working with host Dave Garroway on Today

02:17

Dean Martin

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Florence Henderson on appearing on The Dean Martin Show

05:32

Desi Arnaz, Jr.

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Florence Henderson on guest stars on The Brady Bunch - Desi Arnaz, Jr.

00:23

Ed Sullivan

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Florence Henderson on singing in the off-camera chorus on The Ed Sullivan Show

00:47

Eddie Murphy

View Person Page

Florence Henderson on introducing Eve Plumb to Eddie Murphy

00:59

Ellen DeGeneres

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Florence Henderson on appearing on Ellen

02:04

Eve Plumb

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Florence Henderson on working with child actors on The Brady Bunch - Eve Plumb

01:10

Fred de Cordova

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Florence Henderson on working with director/producer Fred De Cordova when she guest hosted The T onight Show

01:51

George Burns

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Florence Henderson on working with George Burns and the talent he and Bob Hope had

01:22

Greg Garrison

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Florence Henderson on working with Greg Garrison and Kate Smith on The Dean Martin Show

00:44

Hugh Downs

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Florence Henderson on working with Hugh Downs on Jack Paar's Tonight Show

01:57

Imogene Coca

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Florence Henderson on guest stars on The Brady Bunch - Imogene Coca

01:26

Jack Paar

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Florence Henderson on working with Jack Paar

03:55

Jackie Gleason

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Florence Henderson on appearing on The Jackie Gleason Show

01:27

Jeff Zucker

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Florence Henderson on co-hosting Later Today, which airs immediately after Today

04:23

John Rich

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Florence Henderson on working with The Brady Bunch director John Rich

01:25

Johnny Carson

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Florence Henderson on working with Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

07:04

Jonathan Winters

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Florence Henderson on appearing on The Jonathan Winters Show

01:06

Joshua Logan

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Florence Henderson on auditioning for theater director/writer Joshua Logan

03:14

Florence Henderson on working with theater director Joshua Logan

02:06

Kate Smith

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Florence Henderson on working with Greg Garrison and Kate Smith on The Dean Martin Show

00:44

Mary Martin

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Florence Henderson on meeting Mary Martin

01:17

Maureen McCormick

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Florence Henderson on working with child actors on The Brady Bunch - Maureen McCormick

01:28

Mike Lookinland

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Florence Henderson on working with child actors on The Brady Bunch - Mike Lookinland

00:53

Oscar Hammerstein II

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Florence Henderson on meeting Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein and getting the role of "Laurie" in "Oklahoma!"

01:04

Ricardo Montalban

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Florence Henderson on starring in "The King and I" with Ricardo Montalban

01:22

Richard Rodgers

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Florence Henderson on meeting Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein and getting the role of "Laurie" in "Oklahoma!"

01:04

Robert Reed

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Florence Henderson on Robert Reed not getting along with show creator Sherwood Schwartz and director John Rich on The Brady Bunch

01:48

Florence Henderson on being peacemaker between Robert Reed and The Brady Bunch show creator Sherwood Schwartz

01:57

Florence Henderson on her Brady Bunch co-star Robert Reed

00:58

Florence Henderson on Robert Reed's death (from AIDS)

03:09

Robert Wagner

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Florence Henderson on her appearance on Hart to Hart

01:44

Rosie O'Donnell

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Florence Henderson on appearing on The Rosie O'Donnell Show

02:45

Shari Lewis

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Florence Henderson on co-authoring a book with children's show creator Shari Lewis

01:16

Sherwood Schwartz

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Florence Henderson on The Brady Bunch creator Sherwood Schwartz

00:44

Florence Henderson on Sherwood Schwartz's involvement with daily operations on The Brady Bunch creator

02:50

Florence Henderson on being peacemaker between Robert Reed and The Brady Bunch show creator Sherwood Schwartz

01:57

Susan Olsen

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Florence Henderson on working with child actors on The Brady Bunch - Susan Olsen

01:07

Sylvester L. "Pat" Weaver

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Florence Henderson on working with NBC's Pat Weaver

02:02