Susan Olsen Reveals Near-Death Experience Filming ‘The Brady Bunch’

Susan Olsen, recognized for her role as Cindy Brady on the classic television series The Brady Bunch, recently recounted a traumatic experience from the show’s very first episode that nearly cost her life. This revelation emerged during a podcast reunion with her castmates Mike Lookinland, Christopher Knight, and Barry Williams while revisiting the iconic pilot episode.

A Shocking Incident on Set

Olsen disclosed that while working on the pilot episode, she suffered significant injuries during a scene where she was receiving body makeup. Standing on a makeup chair, a heavy object fell from the catwalk above, hitting her directly.

“It hit the makeup man first, [bounced] off the body makeup woman, and hit me in the face,” said Olsen.

The Aftermath of the Accident

Following the incident, Olsen’s face was visibly swollen, resulting in notable changes in her appearance during a wedding scene later filmed. She noted:

“You can even see it in some of the early publicity shots. You can tell my face is a little swollen,” she explained.

Despite her injuries, Olsen remembered feeling the pressure to appear brave on set, suppressing her urge to cry in front of her colleagues.

Support from Co-Stars

Florence Henderson, who played Carol Brady, immediately recognized the severity of Olsen’s injuries and sought to ensure that everyone on set was aware that she needed medical assistance. However, many other cast and crew members downplayed her condition, leading to some confusion about the incident.

Olsen recounted:

“My mom was like, ‘Oh, yes, I will.’ Because everybody was trying to say, ‘It didn’t really hit her. She’s fine.’

She elaborated on her appearance, saying, “I had two black eyes. My nose was swollen. My face was swollen,” humorously adding, “I remember loving it, because I looked like I was in a horror film.”

A Missed Opportunity for Legal Action

After the incident, Olsen’s family chose not to pursue legal action against the studio, a decision she light-heartedly lamented, stating:

“The saddest news is that we didn’t sue Paramount, because I would have made more off of that than the show.”

Recovery and Makeup Magic

Paramount Pictures arranged for Hal King, a renowned makeup artist known for his work with Lucille Ball, to help cover up Olsen’s bruises. Remarkably, her male co-stars did not even notice the effects of the incident, highlighting the success of the makeup work done for the show.

The Legacy of ‘The Brady Bunch’

The Brady Bunch originally aired from 1969 to 1974, capturing the lives of a blended family led by parents Carol and Mike Brady, played by Henderson and Robert Reed. The series not only enjoyed a five-season run but also spawned numerous spin-offs and reunion specials, solidifying its place in television history.

For further details, you can listen to the podcast episode of The Real Brady Bros.