Susan Olsen’s Commitment as Cindy Brady

Susan Olsen recently shared some behind-the-scenes details about her time as Cindy Brady on “The Brady Bunch.” During a panel at the Chocolate Expo, where she was joined by fellow cast members Christopher Knight and Barry Williams, she talked about the demands of maintaining her character’s iconic look.

Olsen revealed that she dyed her hair every three weeks to achieve Cindy’s signature style. “You bet. I had to dye my hair every three weeks. If I watch the third season, my hair is like a blonde shade every episode,” she noted. Starting at just seven years old, this maintenance took quite the toll on her hair. She explained that the frequent dyeing led to hair loss, prompting her to go back to her mother for help with her hair every week.

Interestingly, the look wasn’t solely about the hair dye. Olsen had to work with curls that didn’t come naturally to her. “My hair was straight so I had to hold the rollers. I couldn’t hold the curls unless I slept inside them,” she said, reminiscing about the lengths she went to for that signature bounce.

Reflecting on her experiences with her co-stars, Olsen mentioned that many of the relationships formed were genuine. “Love is real,” she asserted, indicating that their bonds extended beyond the set. Knight added that they all genuinely wanted to fulfill their roles well, largely due to respect for the show’s parental figures, represented by Robert Reed and Florence Henderson.

The beloved show, which aired from 1969 to 1974, captured the joys and challenges of a blended family, continuing to resonate with audiences even decades later.