The Surprising Journey Of Cindy Brady: Susan Olsen's Life Beyond Fame

Susan Olsen, the beloved Cindy Brady from The Brady Bunch, became a household name at the tender age of eight. As the youngest member of the iconic TV family, Susan’s portrayal of Cindy captivated audiences across the nation. But what happened to the pint-sized star after the cameras stopped rolling in 1974? Let’s dive into her story and uncover how she transitioned from Hollywood spotlight to real life.

Childhood Stardom: Susan Olsen's Early Days on 'The Brady Bunch'

For millions of fans, Susan Olsen will always be Cindy Brady, the youngest Brady sibling who brought charm and humor to every scene. But behind the scenes, Susan faced challenges that many child actors can relate to. One of the most memorable aspects of her character was her lisp, which turned out to be all too real. “That episode got me more teased at my real school because the lisp was real,” Susan once shared with The Age. “I had extensive oral surgery as a child. My tongue is too big for my mouth.”

Despite the difficulties, Susan cherished her time on set. In interviews, she opened up about the camaraderie among the cast members, revealing that friendships often blossomed off-screen. “We led a sheltered life for part of the year, so if there was anyone to get a crush on or try to date, it would be our counterparts,” she joked. However, not all relationships were smooth sailing. Susan also spoke candidly about the long-standing feud between Maureen McCormick (Marcia Brady) and Eve Plumb (Jan Brady). “From day one with these two, I’ve always been in the middle,” she admitted. “Now, it’s reached a point where there isn’t even a desire to communicate through me.”

Read also:

Jenna Bush Hager The Inspiring Journey Of A Former First Daughter

Fame at a Young Age: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Susan Olsen’s journey into the world of fame wasn’t all glitz and glamour. Being thrust into the limelight at such a young age came with its own set of challenges. “Fame was the one part I didn’t like,” she confessed during an interview with Fox News in May 2023. “I loved the work. I loved my castmates. I really loved the industry. I was a kid who wanted a job. But fame to me was silly. It felt like fool’s gold.”

One particularly frightening moment occurred shortly after the show premiered. Susan recounted visiting her uncle, a drama teacher in Palo Alto, for one of his extravagant high school productions. “I got recognized in the audience and was mobbed. They had to call the police to get me out. It was this huge crowd of people. I remember someone saying, ‘Oh look, her little face is red. She can’t breathe – here, sign one more autograph.’ It was very, very frightening. I didn’t like it. I was ready to quit the show,” she recalled.

Susan Olsen Today: Life Beyond the Spotlight

After the original run of The Brady Bunch from 1969 to 1974, Susan appeared in several Brady sequels before deciding to pursue passions outside of acting. “In my early 20s, I became a graphic artist,” she explained. “I also started teaching acting for children at Vibe Performing Arts in Santa Clarita, California. I’ve been doing that for a couple of years now.”

Teaching has given Susan a unique perspective on fame and the entertainment industry. “When I teach acting for children, I ask them, ‘What do you want?’ And they say, ‘I wanna be famous!’ And I’m like, ‘No, no, no—that’s not what you want. You want to do good work. Fame is just the byproduct of good work.’”