Eve Plumb Recalls 'Door-Slamming' Tensions Between Robert Reed and Sherwood Schwartz on 'The Brady Bunch' Set
Photo Credit: Paramount
by Chris Tremblay Apr 2
2 MIN READ
Eve Plumb, the actress who portrayed middle daughter Jan Brady on the classic sitcom "The Brady Bunch", has opened up about tensions she witnessed on set between co-star Robert Reed and series creator Sherwood Schwartz. In a new interview tied to the promotion of her memoir "Happiness Included: Jan Brady and Beyond", Plumb reflected on the clashes, noting they were evident during filming of the show, which aired from 1969 to 1974 on ABC.
Plumb, who was just 11 years old when cast as Jan, described the discord as noticeable and often marked by dramatic gestures. “You’d hear the door slam, and then we’d go on and do something else. It’s like it is in any family. When there’s discord, you figure out a way to get through it,” she said, comparing the situation to typical family dynamics. The tensions reportedly stemmed from disagreements over the show's tone and creative direction, with Reed, who played patriarch Mike Brady, frequently at odds with Schwartz.
Despite the friction at the top, Plumb emphasized a sense of unity among the cast, particularly how adult actors guided the younger performers. Her personal interactions with Reed remained positive and professional. She recalled him as “kind, thoughtful and highly talented,” describing him as sophisticated with a love for opera and a beautiful home in Pasadena. Plumb noted their relationship was not deeply personal—“I didn’t know him on a ‘let’s have lunch’ level”—but all dealings were pleasant.
One standout memory involved Reed's generosity: he once treated the entire cast to a trip to New York City, including a stay at the Plaza Hotel and a cruise. “Who does that?” Plumb remarked, underscoring his thoughtfulness.
"The Brady Bunch", created and produced by Sherwood Schwartz, centered on a blended family of six children led by Mike Brady and Carol Brady . Though it faced brutal reviews during its original run—such as a TV Guide critique quoted by Plumb: "We hope they never come down again"—and mediocre ratings, the series has endured in syndication and become a symbol of wholesome family values. Adults at the time expressed negative views toward the show, Plumb recalled, yet its legacy persists.
These reflections come amid broader discussions of "The Brady Bunch"'s cultural impact, including its portrayal of an idealized blended family that resonated across generations. While the show predates widespread mainstream visibility for LGBTQ+ families, its emphasis on unity amid discord offers a timeless parallel to real-life family experiences, including those of transgender people and other LGBTQ+ individuals navigating blended households today. No specific LGBTQ+ community responses to Plumb's recent comments were identified in available coverage. The interview provides a rare child actor's perspective on the professional pressures behind a family-oriented production that continues to air without interruption.
Plumb's memoir delves deeper into her experiences, framing the set as a microcosm of family life where conflicts were resolved to keep production moving. This account adds nuance to the nostalgia surrounding the series, revealing the efforts required to maintain its polished on-screen harmony.
Despite the friction at the top, Plumb emphasized a sense of unity among the cast, particularly how adult actors guided the younger performers. Her personal interactions with Reed remained positive and professional. She recalled him as “kind, thoughtful and highly talented,” describing him as sophisticated with a love for opera and a beautiful home in Pasadena. Plumb noted their relationship was not deeply personal—“I didn’t know him on a ‘let’s have lunch’ level”—but all dealings were pleasant.
One standout memory involved Reed's generosity: he once treated the entire cast to a trip to New York City, including a stay at the Plaza Hotel and a cruise. “Who does that?” Plumb remarked, underscoring his thoughtfulness.
"The Brady Bunch", created and produced by Sherwood Schwartz, centered on a blended family of six children led by Mike Brady and Carol Brady . Though it faced brutal reviews during its original run—such as a TV Guide critique quoted by Plumb: "We hope they never come down again"—and mediocre ratings, the series has endured in syndication and become a symbol of wholesome family values. Adults at the time expressed negative views toward the show, Plumb recalled, yet its legacy persists.
These reflections come amid broader discussions of "The Brady Bunch"'s cultural impact, including its portrayal of an idealized blended family that resonated across generations. While the show predates widespread mainstream visibility for LGBTQ+ families, its emphasis on unity amid discord offers a timeless parallel to real-life family experiences, including those of transgender people and other LGBTQ+ individuals navigating blended households today. No specific LGBTQ+ community responses to Plumb's recent comments were identified in available coverage. The interview provides a rare child actor's perspective on the professional pressures behind a family-oriented production that continues to air without interruption.
Plumb's memoir delves deeper into her experiences, framing the set as a microcosm of family life where conflicts were resolved to keep production moving. This account adds nuance to the nostalgia surrounding the series, revealing the efforts required to maintain its polished on-screen harmony.
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