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Florence Henderson Death: Tributes Flow In From ‘Brady Bunch’ Kids

By Stacey Cole
Published on: 04:19 PST, Nov 29, 2016

Florence Henderson died last week, but the Brady Bunch cast members are still struggling to cope with the loss, according to the New York Times. The actress died last Thursday in Los Angeles at the age of 82.

While many are calling Florence Henderson America’s favorite TV mom, the actress didn’t begin her career on TV. Henderson made her debut as an ingenue soprano in stage musicals in the 1950s, but it was her passion for and commitment to the arts that won her a role on The Brady Bunch in the 70s.

David Brokaw, her publicist, confirmed Florence Henderson’s death last Thursday. Brokaw revealed that the iconic actress died of heart failure at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, adding that she had been “quite active” until she started not feeling well a few days before her death.

“It was felt that she would just bounce back from it.”

Although Florence Henderson’s four kids from her marriage with Ira Bernstein, who passed away more than three decades ago, are struggling to cope with the loss, Henderson’s TV kids from The Brady Bunch also couldn’t hold back the tears, according to ET Online.

In his exclusive interview with ET, Christopher Knight, who played Peter Brady on the iconic ABC sitcom, revealed his special bond with Florence Henderson. Knight admitted that he could have spent “more time” with the late actress.

“There was one show where we were in the backyard with our mitts and throwing the ball around, and she was dressed like she was ready to play with us, and I think it was at that point I thought she was really cool.”

Knight also added that she could be a playmate and a loving mom at the same time. The actor describes Florence Henderson as “a mom you’d want to have,” adding that America felt the same way about the actress after her iconic role on the sitcom.

Knight also revealed that Florence Henderson was “a wonderful kind of warm and stern mothering figure” and added that he admired Henderson so much he “never wanted” to disappoint her in any way.

Knight said that he has lived with nothing but sheer respect and admiration for Florence Henderson even after the sitcom aired its final episode in 1974.

“I admired her so much and respected her as a child… and I’ve lived like that ever since.”

The Brady Bunch actor also admitted that “a good deal” of who he is now is because of Florence Henderson and her beautiful influence.

Barry Williams, who played Greg Brady on iconic sitcom, revealed that he had a different kind of attraction to Florence Henderson. In his interview with KOLR/KOZL, the actor said that Henderson’s death came out of the blue and “stunned” him because she looked “vibrant and alive” during her appearance on Dancing with the Stars just days before her death.

Williams opened up about his teenage crush on Florence Henderson even though she was 20 years his senior. The actor revealed that he had “a great affinity” for Henderson even since he met her.

Although Williams admits that he and Florence Henderson never actually dated, the actor reveals that he did actually kiss her! Both he and Henderson were always enthusiastic about performing in Vegas showrooms and also on Broadway, so he used it as an excuse to pick her up in the car.

“I used that as an excuse to pick her up in the car and take her out and try and steal a kiss. Which I did!”

Even though it’s been more than four decades since the sitcom ended its run, Williams said the cast has remained close and revealed that they are “leaning on each other” following Florence Henderson’s death.

[Featured Image by Paramount Television/Getty Images]

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