Biography

Florence Henderson

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Florence Henderson was considered by protocol executive Jerold Franks, CSA to be "...one of the most generous stars I have ever worked with." Los Angeles, New York and all parts of the country, Florence has helped raise millions of dollars for various charitable organizations.

Jerold Franks, friend and confidante to actress Mary Martin as well as producer of Ms. Martin's Celebration of Life moved the date of the tribute at the Majestic Theatre in New York out of respect to Mary and Florence's personal friendship as well as having played the role of "Maria" for hundreds of performances. Any Mary Martin tribute can never not include Florence Henderson. I love her as a performer and very proud to call her a friend. Franks was introduced to her late and second husband, John Kappas. Franks' credits his friend Florence for introducing him to certified hypnotist John Kappas to deal with the death of Franks' only son.
- IMDb mini biography by: Lora L Hart, Roanoke, Virginia

She flew to New York City every weekend during the run of The Brady Bunch (1969) (which filmed in Los Angeles) in order to be with her family.
In the mid-1950s, she was diagnosed with a bone deformation of the inner ear, and she had to have surgery to prevent deafness.
Could sing 50 songs by heart by the age of 2.
In a 2006 TV Guide/Bravo poll, her Carol Brady character was named the TV mom that most shaped viewers perceptions of a housewife with 45% of the vote. She topped both June Cleaver (Barbara Billingsley from Leave It to Beaver (1957)), and Shirley Partridge (Shirley Jones from The Partridge Family (1970)) for the honor.
Was the first woman to be a guest host of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962).

On her late television husband, Robert Reed: He was so close to all six of the Brady kids. When he called and asked me to tell them he wasn't going to live much longer, they were devastated. He was a good friend.
I begged them [the producers] to give Carol Brady a job. They wouldn't do that. I mean, those clothes, for God's sake, take a look at them! I didn't choose those, please...But I said, "Can I just hit the kids every now and then? I mean, real life!" They wouldn't let me.
I don't remember ever not singing. My mother loved music and she taught me songs, country music, spirituals. I would sing for people and pass the hat when I was 4.
[on the time of making The Brady Bunch (1969)] I had four children. And my youngest when we started was like, oh gosh, two or a little less. And sometimes my kids would say to me, you know, "How come you don't scream at those kids on television like you do us?" I said, "Because they're not my real kids and you are, and I want you to turn out to be wonderful human beings" -- and they have. I have four of the most incredible children. And I have five grandchildren.

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