Florence Agnes Henderson (born February 14, 1934) is an American actress and singer, best known for playing the role of Carol Brady in the television program The Brady Bunch, which ran from 1969 to 1974.

.Henderson, the youngest of ten children, was born in Dale, Indiana, the daughter of Elizabeth (née Elder), a homemaker, and Joseph Henderson, a tobacco sharecropper.^ Florence was born in Dale, Indiana on February 14, 1934 - an Aquarius .

• Florence Henderson Celebrity Pictures and Posters 22 September 2009 18:26 UTC www.ncbuy.com [Source type: General]

^ Arts and Entertainment > Entertainment Biographies > H Florence Henderson actress, singer Born: 2/14/1934 Birthplace: Dale, Indiana Perky and petite actress known best for anchoring the The Brady Bunch (1969–74).

• http://www.infoplease.com/ipea/A0762105.html 22 September 2009 18:26 UTC www.infoplease.com [Source type: General]

^ Born one of ten children to a poor tobacco farmer, she was determined to go on the stage and went to New York at 17 to study acting.

• http://www.infoplease.com/ipea/A0762105.html 22 September 2009 18:26 UTC www.infoplease.com [Source type: General]

^[1] Raised a Roman Catholic, she graduated from St. Francis Academy in Owensboro, Kentucky in 1951; shortly thereafter, she went to New York City, enrolling in the prestigious American Academy of Dramatic Arts. .She is an Alumna Initiate of the Alpha Chi chapter of Delta Zeta Sorority.^ Are you really a member of the Delta Zeta Sorority?

• Florence Henderson FAQs 22 September 2009 18:26 UTC flohome.com [Source type: General]

Henderson started her career on the stage, performing in musicals, such as the touring production of Oklahoma! and South Pacific at Lincoln Center. .She debuted on Broadway in the musical Wish You Were Here in 1952 and later starred on Broadway in the long-running 1954 musical, Fanny (888 performances) in which she originated the title role and whose opening night cast also included Gary Wright who played her son later in the show's run and who is perhaps best known for his 1976 top ten hit "Dream Weaver". Henderson also appeared on Broadway in The Girl Who Came to Supper (1963).^ "Wish You Were Here" (1st Broadway role).

• Indiana Hollywood Hall of Fame: Florence Henderson 22 September 2009 18:26 UTC www.hoosierwoodindiana.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ She made her Broadway debut in 1952 in Wish You Were Here, and appeared in many live 1950s TV dramas.

• It's not too late for Florence Henderson 22 September 2009 18:26 UTC enquirer.com [Source type: News]

^ Theater credits include leading roles in the Broadway productions of Fanny (1954) and The Girl Who Came to Supper (1963-64).

• Florence Henderson TV Listings - find Florence Henderson on TV | TV-Now.com 22 September 2009 18:26 UTC www.tv-now.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

.In 1962, she won the Sarah Siddons Award for her work in Chicago Theatre, and the same year became the first woman to guest host The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.^ In fact, Florence was the first woman ever to guest host "The Tonight Show."

• Florence Henderson Biography 22 September 2009 18:26 UTC flohome.com [Source type: General]

^ She was also the first woman ever to host "The Tonight Show" while starring in numerous Broadway hits including the lead role in Fanny, Maria in The Sound of Music, Nellie Forbush in South Pacific , and the starring role of Anna opposite Ricardo Montalban in the production of The King and I. She received the Pop Culture Award from TV Land and the Wall Street Journal rated her #5 out of 10 top television endorsers.

• Florence Henderson Comes To The Rrazz Room With Her New Cabaret Act 10/20 22 September 2009 18:26 UTC broadwayworld.com [Source type: General]

^ And this isn’t just a script for the Gracie Allen Award-winning host of RLTV’s The Florence Henderson Show .

• CableFAX: The Magazine's Community Service Award: Florence Henderson :: Cable360 22 September 2009 18:26 UTC www.cable360.net [Source type: General]

.She also joined the ranks of what was then called "The Today Girl" on NBC's long running morning show, doing weather and light news, a position also once held by Barbara Walters.^ Florence was most recently seen as the former co-host of NBC's "Later Today" and is currently a contributor on the "Today" show, also on NBC. .

• Florence Henderson Biography 22 September 2009 18:26 UTC flohome.com [Source type: General]
• Corporate Entertainment - Florence Henderson is available for your next special event! 22 September 2009 18:26 UTC www.corporateartists.com [Source type: General]

^ Henderson's familiar face, after years of Brady reruns and Wesson Oil commercials, helped land her current job as cohost of NBC's Later Today morning show.

• The Family Still Matters - The Brady Bunch, Where Are They Now?, Ann B. Davis, Barry Williams, Christopher Knight, Eve Plumb, Florence Henderson, Maureen McCormick, Mike Lookinland, Susan Olsen : People.com 22 September 2009 18:26 UTC www.people.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^[2] .Talented at skit comedy as well as song and dance, she was ideal for the Dean Martin Variety Show, on which she was a frequent guest.^ The Brady Bunch Variety Hour: Complete Set [DVD] (1977) DVD In 1977 the "Brady Bunch" cast (minus Eve Plumb, replaced by a doppelganger Jan) reunited for a short-lived variety series complete with songs and dances, comedy skits, swimming showgirls and such guest stars as Donny and Marie Osmond, Vincent Price, Tony Randall and Rip Taylor.

• Indiana Hollywood Hall of Fame: Florence Henderson 22 September 2009 18:26 UTC www.hoosierwoodindiana.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ Though this showbiz vet has never been nominated for any major kudo, she could well pull off an Emmy nod in the guest actress in a comedy series category.

• Can Florence Henderson finally win over Emmy by guesting on 'Samantha Who?' | Gold Derby | Los Angeles Times 22 September 2009 18:26 UTC goldderby.latimes.com [Source type: General]

^ She is a frequent guest on both "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," and "Politically Incorrect" with Bill Mahrer, and has appeared on the "Late Show with David Letterman."

• Florence Henderson Biography 22 September 2009 18:26 UTC flohome.com [Source type: General]

.Her most widely seen role was as Carol Brady in The Brady Bunch which was produced from 1969 until 1974, a role that Shirley Jones had turned down.^ The Brady Bunch Aired: 1969 to 1974 .

• TV Tidbits Shows We Love: The Brady Bunch 22 September 2009 18:26 UTC www.sitcomboy.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ Brady Bunch Complete Series (1969) .

• Brady Bunch Complete Series : DVD : Christopher Knight : Eve Plumb : Susan Olsen : : Paramount - Buy.com 22 September 2009 18:26 UTC www.buy.com [Source type: General]

^ Although she is known around the world for her role as "Carol Brady" on television's " The Brady Bunch ," her performing career before and since the popular series has flourished because of her talent, professionalism and universal appeal.

• Corporate Entertainment - Florence Henderson is available for your next special event! 22 September 2009 18:26 UTC www.corporateartists.com [Source type: General]

.A worldwide success, it continues to be screened in many countries through syndication.^ Whether on stage, screen, television or the printed page, her many devoted fans can count on her to continue sharing the many talents she possesses and the warmth and exhuberance with which she does so.

• Florence Henderson Biography 22 September 2009 18:26 UTC flohome.com [Source type: General]

.Primarily owing to her role in the Brady Bunch, Henderson was ranked by TV Land and Entertainment Weekly as one of the 100 Greatest TV Icons.^ Entertainment Weekly "THE BRADY BUNCH holds up fabulously..."

• Brady Bunch Complete Series : DVD : Christopher Knight : Eve Plumb : Susan Olsen : : Paramount - Buy.com 22 September 2009 18:26 UTC www.buy.com [Source type: General]

^ The following is adapted from a message I posted to the alt.tv.brady-bunch newsgroup on June 1, 1998.

• Top 10 Questions About The Brady Bunch 22 September 2009 18:26 UTC www.davidbrady.com [Source type: General]

^ If you watch one of the 'Brady Bunch' episodes backwards, you can hear Greg saying, 'I buried Cindy.'"

• Top 10 Questions About The Brady Bunch 22 September 2009 18:26 UTC www.davidbrady.com [Source type: General]

.Henderson's ability to effortlessly transmit warmth and affection was an essential element to the long enduring success of the Brady Bunch.^ Mike Ausiello of EW reports that TV's favorite mom Florence Henderson (" The Brady Bunch ") will be guesting in the new year on " Samantha Who?

• Can Florence Henderson finally win over Emmy by guesting on 'Samantha Who?' | Gold Derby | Los Angeles Times 22 September 2009 18:26 UTC goldderby.latimes.com [Source type: General]

^ Before Florence Henderson's comparatively jagged-edged portrayal of Carol Brady on the Brady Bunch, she was the junior half of a singing duo called "The Singing Sweethearts."

• Florence Henderson and Bill Hayes at Maisonette - 1958 22 September 2009 18:26 UTC www.bigbandsandbignames.com [Source type: General]

^ By: Justin Ravitz Filed Under: chat room , florence henderson , the brady bunch , theater , tv Share Delicious Email Print .

• Florence Henderson on Her New One-Woman Show and Why She Was No Fan of Cousin Oliver -- Vulture -- Entertainment & Culture Blog -- New York Magazine 22 September 2009 18:26 UTC nymag.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

.Henderson was a frequent panelist on the original version of the television game show Hollywood Squares and made occasional appearances on The $25,000 Pyramid.^ The Florence Henderson Show is an in-depth and insider's look at Hollywood -- past and present.

• Retirement Living TV Presents The Florence Henderson Show - Entertainment News - redOrbit 22 September 2009 18:26 UTC www.redorbit.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

.Henderson was also the spokeswoman for Wesson cooking oil, from 1976 to 1996. During that time, she hosted a cooking show on TNN called Country Kitchen, and also did ads for Prange's, a former Wisconsin department store chain.^ She hosted TNN's Country Kitchen for nine years.

• It's not too late for Florence Henderson 22 September 2009 18:26 UTC enquirer.com [Source type: News]

^ Florence was most recently seen as the former co-host of NBC's "Later Today" and is currently a contributor on the "Today" show, also on NBC. .

• Corporate Entertainment - Florence Henderson is available for your next special event! 22 September 2009 18:26 UTC www.corporateartists.com [Source type: General]

^ She also hosted a cooking show on TNN from 1985–92, has written a cookbook, and co-authored a Bible story book with puppeteer Shari Lewis .

• http://www.infoplease.com/ipea/A0762105.html 22 September 2009 18:26 UTC www.infoplease.com [Source type: General]

.Henderson co-hosted the talk show Later Today on NBC (1999-2000) with co-hosts Jodi Applegate and Asha Blake.^ She was a cast member of The Today Show in 1959/60, and then a host of Later Today in 1999/2000.

• TV Tidbits Shows We Love: The Brady Bunch 22 September 2009 18:26 UTC www.sitcomboy.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ She was a co-host of NBC's "Later Today," and was recently seen in the film "Venus and Vegas."

• Florence Henderson Comes To The Rrazz Room With Her New Cabaret Act 10/20 22 September 2009 18:26 UTC broadwayworld.com [Source type: General]

^ Best known for her work on The Brady Bunch, Henderson previously hosted RLTV's Living Live with co-host Meshach Taylor.

• Retirement Living TV Presents The Florence Henderson Show - Entertainment News - redOrbit 22 September 2009 18:26 UTC www.redorbit.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

Today, she is the spokeswoman for Polident denture cleanser (although she does not wear dentures herself). In 2003, Henderson seemed to poke fun at her wholesome image by appearing in a Pepsi Twist television commercial with Ozzy Osbourne.

Henderson regularly tours as a singer on the condominium circuit with other performers such as magician/comedian Jamie Porter. .Henderson has also appeared with her TV children whenever the opportunity comes about.^ Florence Henderson did a TV commercial for the wholesome softdrink Tang along with two of her real children.

• TV Tidbits Shows We Love: The Brady Bunch 22 September 2009 18:26 UTC www.sitcomboy.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

.For instance, she appeared on the reality-television series My Fair Brady starring Christopher Knight.^ The actor who played Peter, Christopher Knight, starred on the VH1 reality show "The Surreal Life," where he met "America's Next Top Model" winner Adrian Curry.

• A Very Brady Lesbian Affair? - The Early Show - CBS News 22 September 2009 18:26 UTC www.cbsnews.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ "He asked me to counsel them – I am a certified hypnotherapist – but I didn't really want to do reality TV." Henderson appeared on the couple's VH1 show My Fair Brady , which she says seemed to steer the couple into an engagement.

• Florence Henderson: Christopher Knight 'Didn't Take My Advice' - Christopher Knight, Florence Henderson : People.com 22 September 2009 18:26 UTC www.people.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ "Christopher Knight is like my son and he was very involved with this person on The Surreal Life ," she says referring to model Adrianne Curry.

• Florence Henderson: Christopher Knight 'Didn't Take My Advice' - Christopher Knight, Florence Henderson : People.com 22 September 2009 18:26 UTC www.people.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

She is also in the sixth season of VH1's Surreal Life.

.In most years since the mid-1990s, the song "God Bless America" has been performed by Henderson at the Indianapolis 500 accommpanied by the Purdue All-American Marching Band.^ We tend to think of Ms. Henderson as being of another generation than most of the artist's featured on this site but she was an established performer before The Brady's debut.

• Florence Henderson and Bill Hayes at Maisonette - 1958 22 September 2009 18:26 UTC www.bigbandsandbignames.com [Source type: General]

Henderson is a friend of the Hulman-George family, the owners of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Her performance is followed by "The Star-Spangled Banner," performed by a notable artist each year.

.She appeared in the "Weird Al" Yankovic video for "Amish Paradise" and co-hosted the daily talk show "Living Live" with former Designing Women star Meshach Taylor on Retirement Living TV. The show was reworked to focus on her and was renamed "The Florence Henderson Show". In 2002 she made a memorable guest appearance on comedy improv show Whose Line Is It Anyway?, participating in an on-screen kiss with Ryan Stiles and Colin Mochrie.^ Best known for her work on The Brady Bunch, Henderson previously hosted RLTV's Living Live with co-host Meshach Taylor.

• Retirement Living TV Presents The Florence Henderson Show - Entertainment News - redOrbit 22 September 2009 18:26 UTC www.redorbit.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ In her role as spokesperson for Retirement Living TV’s "Digital Transition Education Campaign," Henderson hosts a series of PSAs, and her image adorns a digital transition toolkit that tells the 55+ crowd how to prepare for the new age of television.

• CableFAX: The Magazine's Community Service Award: Florence Henderson :: Cable360 22 September 2009 18:26 UTC www.cable360.net [Source type: General]

^ Was the first woman to guest host NBC's The Tonight Show .

• Florence Henderson TV Listings - find Florence Henderson on TV | TV-Now.com 22 September 2009 18:26 UTC www.tv-now.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^[3]

In the mid-1950s, Henderson was diagnosed with a bone deformation of the inner ear, and she had to have surgery to prevent deafness. .Henderson married Ira Bernstein in January 1956, and the couple had four children.^ Yes, I have 4 children with my ex-husband Ira Bernstein.

• Florence Henderson FAQs 22 September 2009 18:26 UTC flohome.com [Source type: General]

^ (She has four grown children with producer Ira Bernstein, from whom she was divorced in 1987.

• The Family Still Matters - The Brady Bunch, Where Are They Now?, Ann B. Davis, Barry Williams, Christopher Knight, Eve Plumb, Florence Henderson, Maureen McCormick, Mike Lookinland, Susan Olsen : People.com 22 September 2009 18:26 UTC www.people.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

.During the filming of The Brady Bunch in Los Angeles, Henderson returned to the family's New York home each weekend to spend time with her children.^ I interviewed the home's occupant for a 1994 story in the Los Angeles Times, "Chateau Brady."

• Top 10 Questions About The Brady Bunch 22 September 2009 18:26 UTC www.davidbrady.com [Source type: General]

^ Before Florence Henderson's comparatively jagged-edged portrayal of Carol Brady on the Brady Bunch, she was the junior half of a singing duo called "The Singing Sweethearts."

• Florence Henderson and Bill Hayes at Maisonette - 1958 22 September 2009 18:26 UTC www.bigbandsandbignames.com [Source type: General]

^ In the first episode of The Brady Bunch , Carol and Mike got married and blended their families (her three girls, his three boys and sassy housekeeper).

• TV Tidbits Shows We Love: The Brady Bunch 22 September 2009 18:26 UTC www.sitcomboy.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

.In 1985, she divorced him after almost 29 years of marriage.^ Still, Plumb, who wed lighting technician Rick Mansfield in 1979 but was divorced from him a few years later, has carved out a career of her own.

• The Family Still Matters - The Brady Bunch, Where Are They Now?, Ann B. Davis, Barry Williams, Christopher Knight, Eve Plumb, Florence Henderson, Maureen McCormick, Mike Lookinland, Susan Olsen : People.com 22 September 2009 18:26 UTC www.people.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

She later married Dr. John Kappas, a hypnotherapist and founder of the Hypnosis Motivation Institute she met when battling depression in the mid 1980s. Henderson studied hypnotherapy and is a licensed therapist.[[1]] Kappas died in 2002.

In recent years she has been a supporter of the Sisters of St. Benedict in Ferdinand, Indiana; one of the Sisters was her teacher when she was young. She has appeared in a number of their promotional videos and has helped in fund-raising efforts. .She has won money for the Sisters on the game show The Weakest Link and on a classic-television-themed episode of Who Wants To Be a Millionaire in 2001, winning $32,000 in their name.^ All six kids, plus Florence Henderson and Robbie Rist, competed on the gameshow The Weakest Link in 2001.

• TV Tidbits Shows We Love: The Brady Bunch 22 September 2009 18:26 UTC www.sitcomboy.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ Alan Melvin, who played Alice's butcher boyfriend, Sam, also played a character named Sam in a 1963 episode of The Dick Van Dyke Show .

• TV Tidbits Shows We Love: The Brady Bunch 22 September 2009 18:26 UTC www.sitcomboy.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ Category Keywords:   Brothers   Campy   Classic Television   Families   Family Interaction   Family Life   Family Relations   Series   Sitcoms   Television Shows   Television/TV Series   .

• Brady Bunch First Season (Episodes 1-7) : DVD : Florence Henderson : Barry Williams : Maureen McCormick : : Paramount - Buy.com 22 September 2009 18:26 UTC www.buy.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

On the show, Florence used her son Joseph as a Phone-a-Friend lifeline for the $64,000 question on a question about laser colors and answered correctly; however, she then got the $125,000 question wrong and lost $32,000. When Florence appeared on the VH1 show The Surreal Life, she made a point of showing respect to the Catholic Church and the Sisters of St. Benedict by refusing to dress in a nun's costume for a comedy skit.

General Foods 25th Anniversary Show: A Salute to Rodgers and Hammerstein (1954) Sing Along (1958 – 1959) Little Women (1958) The Jack Paar Show (regular guest from 1958-1962) Oldsmobile Music Theatre (1959) (canceled after a few months) The Today Show (Today Girl from 1959-1960)[2] The Brady Bunch (1969 – 1974) A World Of Love - Celebrating UNICEF (CBS Special Broadcast) (1970) The Love Boat (1976) (pilot for series) The Muppet Show (1976) guest star The Paul Lynde Halloween Special (1976) guest star The Brady Bunch Variety Hour (1976-1977) The Brady Girls Get Married (1981) The Brady Brides (1981) (canceled after 10 episodes)

. Country Kitchen (1985-1993) Just a Regular Kid: An AIDS Story (1987) A Very Brady Christmas (1988) The Bradys (1990) (canceled after 6 episodes) Roseanne (1994) Guest star Fudge-A-Mania (1995) " The King of Queens as Lilly, Carrie Heffernan's mother (1998) Short Cut Cooking (1998 – 2000) Later Today (1999-2000) Legend of the Candy Cane (2001) Moms On Strike (2002) Whose Line Is It Anyway? (2002) (Guest appearance) Speaking of Women's Health (2003-????^ Barry Williams, who played the oldest Brady kid, Greg, confessed that he dated on-screen mom Florence Henderson in his book "Growing up Brady." A Very Brady Lesbian Affair? - The Early Show - CBS News 22 September 2009 18:26 UTC www.cbsnews.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES] ^ Jennifer Runyon played Cindy Brady only in the 1988 CBS TV movie A Very Brady Christmas. Top 10 Questions About The Brady Bunch 22 September 2009 18:26 UTC www.davidbrady.com [Source type: General] ^ The subject of Reed's homosexuality was addressed openly (though a bit delicately) on the "E! True Hollywood Story" about The Brady Bunch, which premiered on June 6, 1999. Top 10 Questions About The Brady Bunch 22 September 2009 18:26 UTC www.davidbrady.com [Source type: General] ) The Surreal Life (cast member in 2006) The Ellen DeGeneres Show (2007) Living Live (2007) Loonatics Unleashed (2007) (voice) Ladies of the House (TV movie) (2008)

Song of Norway (1970) Shakes the Clown (1992) Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult (1994) (Cameo)

The Brady Bunch Movie (1995) Holy Man (1998) (Cameo) Get Bruce (1999) (documentary)

Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star (2003) For Heaven's Sake (2008) Venus & Vegas (2009)