Susan Olsen Reflects on Her Role as Cindy Brady
Susan Olsen shared some personal insights regarding her time as Cindy Brady in “The Brady Bunch,” a role she has held for nearly 50 years.
While attending the Chocolate Expo, Olsen spoke alongside her co-stars Christopher Knight, Mie Crook, and Barry Williams. She revealed that to keep up with Cindy’s iconic look, she had to dye her hair blonde every three weeks.
A fan inquired about the hair coloring process, prompting Olsen to recount how she began this routine at just seven years old. “Absolutely, I had to dye my hair every three weeks. By the time we hit the third season, my hair seemed to change shades of blonde with each episode,” she mentioned.
Olsen’s frequent hair treatments took a toll, causing some hair loss. “They were experimenting with different products, and before long, my hair started falling out. Eventually, I went back to having my mom do my hair every Friday night,” she said.
Getting Cindy’s signature curls wasn’t easy either. “My hair was straight, so I had to use rollers. I couldn’t really keep those curls unless I slept in them. But it was my mom who worked her magic to create those adorable ringlets,” she continued.
Olsen humorously recalled her haircare products from that era, saying, “In 1970, using different products meant a mix of weird chemicals, right? I distinctly remember using Miss Clayroll in Jet Black number 23. Just the name alone—’Jet Black’—stuck with me.” She described her character’s hair color as “classic blonde.”
Olsen and her co-stars candidly reflected on their experiences from the show. She emphasized that genuine affection existed among the cast. “I think I speak for many of us when I say there was a real emotional bond,” she noted.
Christopher Knight added his perspective, highlighting how much they wanted to please their on-screen parents, played by Robert Reed and Florence Henderson. “There was this innate respect; we didn’t want to let them down,” he explained.
Originally airing from 1969 to 1974, “The Brady Bunch” highlighted the adventures of a mixed family, with Henderson and Reed portraying the Brady parents, raising three boys and three girls together.
