Florence Henderson, the beloved matriarch of The Brady Bunch, passed away on November 24, 2016, at the age of 82. She left behind a legacy that resonated with audiences across generations.
Her career spanned over six decades, showcasing her talents not only as an actress but also as a singer and television host.
Florence Henderson biography
Florence Agnes Henderson (February 14, 1934 – November 24, 2016) was the youngest of 10 children. Born in Dale, in the U.S. state of Indiana, her parents were Joseph Henderson, a tobacco sharecropper, and Elizabeth. Growing up during the Great Depression, Henderson began singing at the age of two, taught by her mother who had a repertoire of 50 songs. By age 12, she was singing at local grocery stores.
Henderson graduated from St. Francis Academy in Owensboro, Kentucky in 1951. Shortly after, she moved to New York City and enrolled at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. She was an Alumna Initiate of the Alpha Chi chapter of Delta Zeta sorority.
Henderson came from a large family, being the youngest of 10 children. She was raised Roman Catholic. During her childhood in Dale, Indiana, a small town in the southwestern part of the state, Henderson started singing at a very young age due to her mother’s influence and repertoire of songs.
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Florence Henderson career
Henderson had a prolific career in entertainment that spanned over six decades. She started performing in musicals on stage, such as the touring production of “Oklahoma!” and “South Pacific” at Lincoln Center.
Henderson made her Broadway debut in the musical “Wish You Were Here” in 1952, with just one spoken line in the chorus. However, she soon landed the leading ingenue role in the touring production of “Oklahoma!” after impressing with her performance. In 1954, at age 19, she starred on Broadway in the title role of the musical “Fanny”, which ran for over two years.
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Henderson appeared on various TV shows, including “I Spy”, “The United States Steel Hour” and “The Patti Page Show”. She sang “Don’t Let a Be-Back Get Away” in the 1959 industrial musical, “Good News About Olds”, for Oldsmobile and also performed on “Tonight Starring Jack Paar” in 1960.
In 1961, Henderson returned to the stage as Maria in the national touring company “The Sound of Music”. She spent some time working in the Chicago Theatre, winning a Sarah Siddons Award for her efforts and was the first woman to host “The Johnny Carson Show”.
Henderson’s most famous role was as “Carol Brady” on the sitcom “The Brady Bunch”, which aired from 1969 to 1974. She reprised this role in various Brady Bunch spin-offs and reunions over the years. During the show’s run, she would fly back to New York every weekend to spend time with her family.
After “The Brady Bunch”, Henderson continued acting, appearing in shows like “Roseanne”, “Ally McBeal”, “Samantha Who?” and “30 Rock”. In the mid-1980s, she divorced her husband of 29 years, Ira Bernstein, and sought help for depression through hypnotherapy. Henderson herself later became a licenced therapist in that field.
In the 2000s, Henderson appeared in films like “Venus and Vegas” and voiced the evil “Mastermind” on the animated series, “Loonatics Unleashed”. She also toured regularly as a singer and made numerous TV appearances on game shows and talk shows. Henderson continued acting, appearing in shows like “Roseanne”, “Ally McBeal”, “Samantha Who?” and “30 Rock”.
Henderson was the spokeswoman for the Polident denture cleanser in the 2000s. In 2002, Henderson made a memorable guest appearance on the improvisational comedy show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”, participating in on-screen kisses with Ryan Stiles and Colin Mochrie.
In 2003, she appeared in a Pepsi Twist commercial with Ozzy Osbourne, poking fun at her wholesome image. She also appeared with her TV children from “The Brady Bunch” on the reality series, “My Fair Brady”. She was a contestant on the sixth season of VH1’s “The Surreal Life” in the 2000s.
From 2007 to 2009, Henderson co-hosted the daily talk show, “Living Live”, with Meshach Taylor on Retirement Living TV. The show was reworked to focus on her and renamed “The Florence Henderson Show”. It was nominated for an Emmy award in 2010.
So, while she continued acting and making TV appearances, Henderson’s career in the 2000s was marked by her work as a spokeswoman, reality show participant and talk show host. She remained active in the entertainment industry well into her later years.
Throughout her career, Henderson was an accomplished singer and hosted her cooking show, “Who’s Cooking with Florence Henderson”, in 2013. She was actively involved in charity work, helping to raise millions of dollars for various organisations over the years.
Awards
Henderson received numerous awards and honours throughout her illustrious career, reflecting her contributions to television, theatre and philanthropy. Her awards include:
- 1. Sarah Siddons Award (1962): This award recognised her outstanding work in Chicago theatre, highlighting her significant impact on the performing arts.
- 2. Hollywood Walk of Fame (1960): Henderson was honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, celebrating her contributions to the television industry.
- 3. Gracie Awards: She won multiple Gracie Awards, including:
- – Individual Achievement Award (2008): For her work on The Florence Henderson Show.
- – Outstanding Host (Information or Entertainment) (2008): For The Florence Henderson Show.
- – Outstanding Host (Information or Entertainment) (2012): For co-hosting Good Food, Good Deeds.
- 4. City of Hope’s Woman of the Year (2008): Henderson was honoured for her dedication to women’s health issues and her philanthropic efforts, particularly in cancer awareness and research.
- 5. TV Land Pop Culture Award: Recognised for her iconic role as Carol Brady on *The Brady Bunch*, solidifying her status as a television legend.
Philanthropy
Henderson was deeply committed to philanthropy throughout her life, supporting numerous charitable causes and organisations. Her charity work encompassed various issues, including health, women’s rights, and education.
She was a long-time supporter of the City of Hope, a leading research and treatment centre for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. Henderson was honoured as City of Hope’s “Woman of the Year” for her dedication, particularly after helping a friend through breast cancer. Her involvement included raising awareness and funds for women’s healthcare issues through the Women’s Council of Orange County, which supports treatment and research programs at City of Hope Medical Center.
Henderson also supported the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial, focusing on human rights and social justice. She worked with the House Ear Institute, advocating for hearing health and education. Her charitable efforts extended to various organisations addressing HIV/AIDS, cancer and unemployment support. Known for her generosity, Henderson helped raise millions for various causes, earning her recognition as one of the most generous stars in Hollywood.
Florence Henderson movies
Here are some of the movies Henderson has featured in:
Song of Norway (1970): Henderson portrayed the character Nina Craig. The movie is a musical biography based on the life of the famous Norwegian composer, Edvard Grieg. It explores his early life, his love for music, and his relationship with his wife, Nina, who was a significant influence on his work.
“For Heaven’s Sake”(2008): Henderson portrayed the character Sarah Miller. The film is a comedy-drama that follows the story of a young woman named Megan who, after a near-death experience, begins to see and talk to the ghost of Sarah, her boyfriend’s grandmother.
Fifty Shades of Black (2016)In this film, Henderson plays the role of Mrs. Robinson. This movie is a slapstick romantic comedy that parodies the popular film Fifty Shades of Grey.
Florence Henderson’s net worth
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Henderson had an estimated net worth of $10 million before her demise.
Florence Henderson family
Photo: Getty Images
Henderson’s first marriage was to Ira Bernstein in 1956. The couple had four children before divorcing in 1985.
In 1987, she married Dr. John George Kappas, a hypnotherapist who helped her with depression and stage fright in the early 1980s. Their marriage lasted until his passing in 2002. Henderson also had five grandchildren.
Florence Henderson age
Henderson was born on February 14, 1934. She died at the age of 82.
Florence Henderson death
Henderson passed away on November 24, 2016, at the age of 82, due to heart failure at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. She had a history of heart disease, including coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation, which she had battled for over a decade.
Henderson had been active just days before her passing, attending the finale of Dancing with the Stars to support her former co-star, Maureen McCormick. Her family was by her side when she died and her publicist confirmed that she had been feeling unwell in the days leading up to her death.
Throughout her life, Henderson was vocal about her heart health, participating in campaigns to raise awareness about heart disease, particularly among women.
