Susan Olsen’s Near-Fatal Incident While Filming ‘The Brady Bunch’

Susan Olsen, recognized for her role as Cindy Brady in the beloved television series The Brady Bunch, recently revealed a shocking experience from the show’s pilot episode that nearly cost her life.

Recollection During Podcast

During a podcast episode of The Real Brady Bros., Olsen, along with her co-stars Mike Lookinland, Barry Williams, and Christopher Knight, reflected on their memories from filming the iconic pilot that was first aired in 1969. Olsen disclosed that she endured a life-threatening injury during a particular scene.

The Incident Explained

Olsen recounted, “It was the last time there was a close-up shot of Cindy because I got injured.” She explained that while receiving body makeup, a piece of equipment fell from the catwalk above her. “It hit the makeup man first, bounced off the body makeup woman, and hit me in the face,” she added.

Visible Injuries

Olsen’s injuries were severe enough that her appearance was noticeably altered during subsequent scenes. “If you were to zoom in really tight [during the wedding ceremony], you can see my face is quite swollen,” she stated. Despite a painful experience, her determination to perform led her to conceal her discomfort. “I thought, ‘I don’t want to be brave. In fact, I want to sob because this hurts.'” Yet, she managed to put on a brave face for the cameras.

Support from Co-stars and Aftermath

Throughout the ordeal, Florence Henderson, who played Carol Brady, provided support to Olsen, ensuring everyone acknowledged her injuries. However, many on set insisted she was fine. Olsen humorously noted, “The saddest news is that we didn’t sue Paramount, because I would have made more off of that than the show.” Despite the trauma, she returned to work the next day and demonstrated her resilience when her swollen face became visible to the crew.

Professional Handling of the Situation

To manage her injuries, Paramount brought in Hal King, the makeup artist famed for his work with Lucille Ball. “My eyes were black… I loved it because I looked like I was in a horror film,” Olsen said. Surprisingly, her male co-stars were unaware of her injuries, as evidenced by Knight’s remarks during the podcast.

A Legacy of ‘The Brady Bunch’

The Brady Bunch aired from 1969 to 1974, capturing the dynamics of a blended family with three boys and three girls from previous marriages. The series remains a significant part of television history, inspiring numerous spin-offs and reunion specials.

Conclusion

Susan Olsen’s candid recollection serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by young actors in the entertainment industry. While she dodged a serious injury, her story adds a unique perspective to the legacy of The Brady Bunch.