LOS ANGELES (CelebrityAccess) — Florence Henderson, a singer, and actor best known for her turn as the upbeat mom on the classic 1970s sitcom The Brady Bunch, died on Thursday in Los Angeles. She was 82.
According to the New York Times, Henderson's family said she died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center of complications of heart failure.
Henderson, a native of Dale, Indiana, began her career as a soprano in stage musicals, with an impressive resume built on roles in productions such as "The King and I" at the Los Angeles Music Center; “South Pacific” at Lincoln Center; national tours of “Oklahoma!” and “The Sound of Music”.
Her stage career led to appearances on television and in 1969, she was cast in the role of Carol Brady on the highly successful sitcom "The Brady Bunch." While the show only ran for 5 years, ending in 1974, it spawned multiple movies; numerous television specials and spin-off series; and went on to a long life in syndication.
Following her stint on The Brady Bunch, Henderson became a 'guest star' with frequent roles on shows such as "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson and as a part of the ensemble cast show "The Love Boat."
As well, she participated in the big screen revival of the Brady Bunch Movie (1995) and other films, including "Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star" (2003) and "50 Shades of Black" which was released earlier this year.
According to the New York Times, Henderson in 1956 married Ira Bernstein, a broadway casting director and manager with whom she had four children before they divorced in 1985. She later married Dr. John Kappas. He died in 2002.
She is survived by two daughters, Barbara and Elizabeth; two sons, Joseph and Robert; and five grandchildren, the Times said. – Staff Writers
