Barry Williams Reveals Childhood Crush on Co-Star Maureen McCormick

Barry Williams, known for his role as Greg Brady in “The Brady Bunch,” recently shared some intriguing personal feelings during a segment of The CW’s documentary series, “The TV We Love.” He opened up about developing a crush on co-star Maureen McCormick, who played Marcia Brady.

The episode featured producer Lloyd Schwartz, who is the son of the show’s creator, Sherwood Schwartz. He recalled directing the memorable 1973 episode titled “Room at the Top,” where Greg and Marcia fight for the attic space in their home, hoping for a bit of privacy away from their younger siblings.

Looking back, Williams mentioned, “I remember that day quite well. There was definitely some chemistry between Maureen and me.” He admitted that he was smitten, and it was evident during their scenes together.

“I was a bit too close and, well, perhaps a bit too ‘tilted’ in our interactions,” Williams recalled, reflecting on how their connection made it tough to maintain their on-screen sibling dynamic. Schwartz even noted that managing such feelings among the young actors was a challenge.

Christopher Knight, who portrayed Peter Brady, chimed in, saying that it seemed likely many fans might have had their hearts set on Marcia. He stated, “If you grew up watching this show, chances are Marcia Brady was your first crush.”

The chemistry between Williams and McCormick wasn’t just surface-level. They had a unique bond that, at least on some level, went beyond mere friendship. During a recent episode of a podcast, Knight pointed out that the two seemed closer than typical siblings.

Williams nodded in agreement, suggesting their relationship was marked by a certain admiration and affection. “There’s always been a bit of a dance between us,” he remarked, noting that while there were flirty moments, they often got interrupted by their busy schedules.

Interestingly, in an interview, Williams also disclosed that he had a teenage crush on Florence Henderson, who played their mother, Carol Brady. “I remember enjoying our conversations and feeling charmed by her lively personality,” he mentioned. He even shared a sweet memory about asking her out for a date one night, which she graciously accepted.

However, Susan Olsen, who portrayed Cindy Brady, expressed her discomfort with the lingering speculation about romantic relationships among the cast. “I disliked the rumors about Barry and Florence,” she revealed, clarifying that their relationship was more about respect than anything else.

In McCormick’s memoir, she reminisced about a trip to Hawaii where feelings between her and Williams started to emerge, including their first kiss. “After years of working closely together, we couldn’t ignore our attraction any longer,” she wrote. The romantic tension was palpable, especially during performances where they often found themselves in choreographed moments designed to highlight their connection.

As McCormick has often noted, despite the ups and downs, the friendships formed during the show have been invaluable. “The Brady Bunch will forever have a warm place in my heart,” she shared during an anniversary celebration.

The iconic show originally aired for five seasons from 1969 to 1974 and continues to resonate with fans around the world.

“TV We Love” airs Mondays at 8 p.m.