When fans think of The Brady Bunch, they often remember the charm and innocence of the Brady family.
However, one of the show’s stars, Susan Olsen, who played the beloved Cindy Brady, recently opened up about a serious accident she experienced while filming the pilot episode in the late 1960s.
This near-fatal event, which could have ended her life, left her with a swollen face and lasting memories of how close she came to tragedy.
A Swollen Face and a Lucky Escape
Olsen, now 63, recalled the terrifying moment that occurred just one day before filming began in 1969.
At just seven years old, she was getting her makeup done for the pilot when a piece of lighting equipment fell directly onto her.
The impact was severe, leaving her with two black eyes, a swollen nose, and a bruised face.
She described the aftermath of the accident on The Real Brady Bros podcast, saying, “My eyes were black.
I mean, I had two black eyes. My nose was swollen. My face was swollen.”
This incident, which could have been much worse, occurred at a critical time when the cast was about to gather for the first day of filming.
Olsen explained how she went to work the next day despite her injuries, and it wasn’t long before her fellow cast members, including Florence Henderson, noticed the extent of the damage.
A Missed Opportunity for Legal Action
Looking back, Olsen shared her regret about not suing the studio after the accident.
She candidly admitted, “The saddest news is that we didn’t sue Paramount, because I would have made more off of that than the show.”
Although the accident could have had significant legal and financial implications, Olsen expressed how she had to continue with her role regardless of the pain she was in.
“But I came to work the next day,” she said, noting that her mom made sure everyone saw the damage to her face.
“I looked like I was in a horror film. And then everybody knew, yes, I had gotten hurt, and I had gotten hurt very badly.”
Creative Solutions and Covering Up the Bruises
To help cover up her injuries for the pilot, Brady Bunch creator Sherwood Schwartz enlisted the help of makeup artist Hal King, who had worked with stars like Lucille Ball.
King became Susan’s hero in those days, expertly covering her bruises with makeup so she could appear on camera.
“He was the specialist to cover up my black eyes. I loved Lucy.
She was my idol,” Olsen shared. “Every day, my bruises would be a different color, and I’d say, ‘My bruises are purple today, Hal.'”
The Brady Bunch and Life After the Show
Susan Olsen’s portrayal of Cindy Brady made her a household name during the show’s run from 1969 to 1974.
She remained a part of the Brady Bunch legacy throughout the entire series, becoming an icon of American television.
In recent years, Olsen has also become known for her outspoken political views, which have sparked controversy.
In 2024, she revealed that a Brady Bunch reboot, which would have included black and transgender characters, was canceled after CBS discovered her conservative stance on issues like the COVID-19 vaccine and vaccine mandates.
The reboot, which would have had her character Cindy Brady as a Libertarian podcaster, was put to rest when the network conducted a deep dive into her social media and found her vocal opposition to vaccines and other mandates.
Susan Olsen’s Personal Life
Outside of her career, Olsen has had two marriages.
Her first marriage to Steve Ventimiglia lasted from 1988 to 1990.
She later married Mitch Markwell in 1995, and they were together until 2004.
The couple shares a son named Michael.