Susan Olsen Reflects on Her Time as Cindy Brady

Susan Olsen, known for her role as Cindy Brady in “The Brady Bunch,” has shared some surprising thoughts about her character. The actress, who started playing Cindy at just seven years old and is now 64, admitted she wasn’t particularly fond of the character. Despite Cindy’s popularity among fans, Olsen confessed in a recent interview that, as a child, she found Cindy to be a bit of a nuisance.

“Honestly, I didn’t like Cindy,” Olsen said during the interview. “She was kind of a goody-two-shoes.” It seems, perhaps, that Cindy’s innocence didn’t sit well with her then. She went on to describe how, growing up, she felt there was a clear difference between her personality and that of her character.

“I really shouldn’t bash this adorable character entirely, but being portrayed as silly just wasn’t cute when I was a kid,” she reflected. “I didn’t understand why everyone found it charming.”

Olsen’s understanding of Cindy’s quirks evolved over time, but she recognized that playing the character came with challenges, especially as a young star. She noted that some of Cindy’s lines made her a target for teasing at school. “I think I got it when I was older, but as a nine-year-old, I was worried about how my classmates would respond to my acting,” she recalled.

Particularly, Olsen had a tough time after an episode featured Cindy being teased for her lisp. “In that episode, Cindy says silly things, and when I went back to school, I could hear kids mocking me.” She recalled that specific episode, “A Fistful of Reasons,” where Cindy faced bullying from a character named Buddy Hinson.

Olsen mentioned that while she had some supportive friends at school, many kids were—not exactly welcoming. “I was lucky not to be ridiculed for anything too harsh, I think. It was just the jealousy, really. They probably wished they could have the fun I was having,” she explained.

After “The Brady Bunch” wrapped up in 1974, Olsen reprised her role in various spin-offs and adaptations, including “The Brady Bunch Hour” in the late ’70s and even as part of animated series. Now, she’s channeling her experience into coaching young actors at Vibes Performing Arts in Santa Clarita, California. It seems her time as Cindy Brady, with all its ups and downs, continues to influence her life in unexpected ways.