The Brady Bunch Stars Reflect on Their Unique Connections
“The Brady Bunch” stars Barry Williams and Christopher Knight are feeling reflective about the past, having recently celebrated the show’s 55th anniversary.
But Williams wants to clarify one piece of history.
In a recent interview with Us Weekly, the 70-year-old mentioned, “We all hooked up with each other at some point, not necessarily while we were filming.”
“We all grew up together. We’re the people that we knew, we trusted,” he explained. “We spent more time together as a ‘Brady’ family during times of the year and most of the year than with our own families. And we genuinely liked each other, and it seemed kind of a normal extension of affection.”
“So what I meant by that was that Bobby and Cindy had a fake marriage in Tiger’s doghouse, literally. I dated Maureen and we went out and I was her first kiss. So that’s kind of what I meant by hooking up.”
Knight reminisced about his relationships during the show, saying, “I was a late bloomer and very slow. And I was being chased by Eve [Plumb] for a number of years.”
“You know, looking back on it, it’s kind of embarrassing,” he added.
“What does that have to do with hooking up?” Williams inquired.
“Well, I tripped,” Knight playfully replied, eliciting laughter from his co-star.
“The Brady Bunch” graced television screens on ABC for five seasons, between 1969 and 1974, earning its place as a cherished pop culture icon, beloved for its endearing themes and countless spin-offs.
Beyond the humor and heartwarming tales, the “Brady Bunch” set was a backdrop for budding friendships and life-long connections.
“We all grew up together. We’re the people that we knew, we trusted.”
Knight, reflecting on those formative years, noted that he was around 12 when the series began, embracing “a very warm and inviting environment.” He shared the complexity of his home life and how the set became a sanctuary. “It was a struggle to feel validated and not a burden… the contrast is now significant.”
“There was authenticity in doing that pilot because the show was about meeting one another, sharing experiences. We were literally meeting and learning about one another,” Williams stated.
He recalled shooting the emotional wedding scene for their onscreen parents, Mike and Carol, played by Robert Reed and Florence Henderson, noting, “It was special in its own way.”
“It felt like we were coming together as a family. We had no idea what the future held, but I do remember how special that moment felt,” he added.
Williams also expressed nostalgia for the drives to the iconic Paramount Studios lot, where they filmed the interiors of the Brady home as well as other classics like “Star Trek” and “Mission: Impossible.”
“It was a fantastic place. There was such vibrant energy. Movies like ‘The Godfather’ were shot there. I couldn’t help but sneak onto the sets between takes, immersing myself in the excitement of that era. It was a magical place,” he reminisced.
The physical Brady house, located in Studio City, California, was crafted by architect Harry M. Londelius Jr. in 1959, becoming a symbol of familial warmth.
Fans have flocked to the home, often claiming it to be the second-most photographed residence in America, just behind the White House.
Though the interior didn’t resemble what viewers saw until 2018, when HGTV acquired the property for its acclaimed show “A Very Brady Renovation,” major updates were made to bring the beloved series to life, including a second floor.
“It was a set, just a façade. Through the renovation, we merged the essence of our childhood home with reality,” Knight remarked during the renovation.
Recently, dedicated fan Tina Trahan purchased the iconic residence, further beautifying it to reflect even more elements from the series.
Williams praised HGTV’s efforts, stating, “They astutely recreated the atmosphere of the show. Tina has added personal touches, those little Easter eggs we couldn’t implement back then.”
Knight added, “She’s preserved the house and embraced it as a living memory of our collective childhood,” highlighting how every corner offers a reminder of the cherished series.
Trahan has designed a unique experience called The Brady Experience, allowing fans to live out their own “Brady Bunch” dreams through a sweepstakes. Five lucky winners will receive the opportunity to visit Los Angeles and stay in the iconic house.
“For the 55th anniversary, we wanted to integrate fans into this celebration, collaborating with No Kid Hungry to combat childhood hunger in America,” she expressed. Winners will gather with the cast over a meal featuring “pork chops and applesauce,” echoing a line from the show.
“Whereas previously people could view only the exterior, now the inside echoes what they saw on television,” Knight mentioned, lamenting the years when access to the interior was forbidden.
“Tina has curated a way to offer audiences a slice of life behind the scenes,” he noted.
“It’s a legacy gifted for a good cause, allowing fans to step inside and support a charity,” Williams added.
The emotional bond between the cast has persisted over the decades, creating a unique camaraderie.
“Outside of my own kin, Barry and the rest of the cast are my oldest friends, and we regularly reconnect. It’s akin to being in the trenches together,” Knight reflected thoughtfully. “Though I lack real war experience, I imagine the closeness that comes from sharing something so profound.”
Williams highlighted their ongoing discoveries about each other with projects like the “Real Brady Bros” podcast, where they explore episodes of the series.
“It has presented us with an opportunity for deeper connection,” he added.
Knight observed, “We’ve fielded the same questions for 55 years, yet our responses evolve, shaped by our growth and the legacy we’ve built.”
“We constantly cycle back to get back in touch with one another. And it’s sort of like being foxhole buddies.”
While the cherished memories stay bright, occasional frustration remains with their experiences in the industry.
Knight shared that during the first two years, they had to pay for parking and trek “an extra 20 minutes” just to reach the set.
He recounted the inequities from the “10 out of 13 deal” with showrunners, where he and his younger co-stars earned less since they were occasionally written out of episodes to save costs.
“In our second year, the five of us were cut from an episode, and the production team never tried that again; audiences noticed,” Knight shared with a hint of mirth. “They realized that it was more challenging to exclude us than to keep us on screen.”
As light-hearted teasing ensued, Knight joked that Williams was “too prominent” to write out, to which Williams likened it to “avoiding the draft.”
Yet, bright memories overshadow the few grievances, and that nostalgia continues to resonate with a new generation.
Recently, Williams took his daughter, Samantha, on a nostalgic tour of the Paramount lot, reminiscing fondly about where he and his co-stars spent significant time.
He shared, “A friend recorded our experience, and as I watched it, I noticed how engaged she was. It struck me—she absorbed so much. She was able to grasp a piece of my childhood, her age mirroring my own when the show began at 12.”
Nevertheless, Williams acknowledged that they rarely discuss the series or watch it together.
“I’ve asked her if she’s seen the show, and she responds, ‘Yeah,’ as if she’s familiar enough. She’s also met Chris, which makes it real for her. I’m unsure how many episodes she follows. She’s a young girl. I don’t want to pressure her; if she enjoys it, that’s wonderful, but if not, that’s okay too.”
To participate in The Brady Experience sweepstakes, fans can visit the website at www.thebradyexperience.com/.
