Remember When

Remember When . . . Florence Henderson was one of our most beloved entertainers.

Actress and singer Florence Henderson held this light- recently passed away from heart failure. To news position many younger people, she represented the were Maureen ideal mother figure. What role is she most O’Sullivan 17 famous for? (Carol Brady on “The Brady and Barbara Bunch.”) But many of us remember her in Walters. But it wasn’t until 1969 that other roles, and for many other reasons. she found the role that would make her Florence Agnes Henderson was born in famous. What do you remember about Indiana in 1934. She was the youngest of ten “The Brady Bunch”? For five seasons, children born into a tobacco sharecropping Carol Brady got to be the ultimate mom, family. What was sharecropping? (A form solving the problems of six children of agriculture in which a landowner allows without ever breaking a sweat. Did you a tenant to farm his land in return for a like this show? Why or why not? share of the crops the tenant raises.) This Even after “The Brady Bunch” was was a difficult way to make a living, and cancelled, Florence Henderson continued most sharecroppers were very poor. The to make her mark on American culture. Hendersons did not have much money She appeared on many other TV shows, and they had to move a lot. On top and even hosted a few of her own; these of this, Florence’s father was a chronic included a talk show and “Who’s Cooking alcoholic, and her mother left the family With Florence Henderson.” She appeared when Florence was just twelve years old. in Las Vegas for many years, and popped Florence was often sent to sing outside the up in cameos in films and music videos, local market to earn grocery money. How showing a gift for physical and verbal do you think her difficult childhood comedy. She also made many commercials helped to shape her life and career? for Wesson cooking oil. Do you remember By the time she graduated from high the jingle she sang in these ads? (“The school in Owenburg, Kentucky, Florence chicken’s got a certain Wessonality!”) Henderson was well known for her acting Henderson even wowed many people with and singing talent. A well-off friend of her her skills on “Dancing With the Stars” in family helped get her to New York City for 2010, when she was 76 years old. acting and singing lessons. She flourished In real life, Florence Henderson was there, quickly finding her way to Broadway married twice and was the mother of four and the touring company of “Oklahoma!” children. Although her life started out in At the age of 20, Henderson won the lead poverty and neglect, Florence Henderson role in the Broadway musical “Fanny.” She used talent, hard work, and a little luck is shown here with one of her co-stars, to become one of our favorite entertainers. Ezio Pinza. Do you remember him? This What do you think of her quote here? musical did not get great reviews at first, Do you agree with her? END and was just limping along in the theater. But it became a huge hit after the cast appeared on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” Soon, Florence Henderson was a nationally CONNECTION IDEAS: known star. What do you remember Between the Internet and DVD about “The Ed Sullivan Show”? Why sets, there are many ways to watch was it important for performers to Florence Henderson’s work in “The appear on this show? Brady Bunch” and other shows. Over the next few years, Florence Here is a very good interview from Henderson was a regular presence on the Owensboro, Kentucky, where she stage and on television. She even had a grew up: https://www.youtube.com/ regular spot as the Today Girl on “The Today watch?v=VncqAJt4iFU Show.” Other up-and-coming stars who