Oh My God, They Almost Killed Cindy Brady! Susan Olsen Reveals Near-Death Experience on The Brady Bunch Pilot
The Brady Bunch is one of the most iconic TV sitcoms of all time, but behind the sunny façade and catchy theme song, danger almost struck the youngest Brady.
In a jaw-dropping revelation to The Hollywood Reporter, Susan Olsen, the beloved Cindy Brady, shared how she narrowly escaped disaster while filming the 1969 pilot episode of The Brady Bunch. Olsen recounted a terrifying moment when a piece of equipment—possibly from the catwalk where lights are stored—came crashing down as she stood on a makeup chair, getting body makeup applied for the show’s iconic backyard wedding scene.
The falling object struck a makeup man, then a body makeup woman, before smacking Olsen square in the face, leaving her with two black eyes, a swollen nose, and excruciating pain. 'I almost died,' Olsen declared on The Real Brady Bros podcast, reflecting on the trauma of that day. The incident, which happened just before shooting key scenes, left her injuries visible on camera, nearly derailing the wholesome Brady vibe before the show even premiered.
The Brady Bunch: America's Favorite TV Family
Debuting in 1969 on ABC, The Brady Bunch was created by Sherwood Schwartz and centered around the blended Brady family: Mike Brady, a widowed architect with three sons, marries Carol, who has three daughters of her own. The show initially struggled with critics but found massive popularity through reruns, becoming a beloved cultural touchstone and spawning spin-offs, TV movies, and endless parodies.
Susan Olsen, playing the lisping, pigtailed Cindy, became an instant fan favorite. Her adorable naivety and signature pigtails were a defining part of the show's wholesome image.
Not the First Time Susan Olsen Has Stirred Headlines
While Olsen’s near-death experience was news to many fans, this isn’t the first time she's made headlines.
In 2016, Olsen was fired from her hosting job at LA Talk Radio after reportedly engaging in a heated online argument, during which she allegedly used a “homophobic slur” against actor Leon Acord-Whiting. Olsen denied the accusations, claiming she was the target of a smear campaign, but the controversy still led to her dismissal.
Despite the incident, Olsen has remained a frequent presence at Brady Bunch reunions and pop culture conventions, often embracing her Cindy Brady roots with a healthy dose of humor.
The Brady Legacy: Sunshine With a Shadow
Learning that the "youngest one in curls" narrowly avoided disaster adds a whole new layer to the “Brady Bunch” mythology.
Behind the scenes, the show had its share of drama: Robert Reed’s tensions with the producers, Maureen McCormick’s personal struggles, and now—thanks to Olsen’s revelation—a reminder that even the most squeaky-clean shows have dark corners.
Still, The Brady Bunch endures as a symbol of late-'60s optimism. And thankfully, Cindy Brady lived to tell the tale—because without her, the Brady family just wouldn’t have been complete.
News compiled by Derek Gibbs and Edgar B. | Published on April 23, 2025
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