Florence Henderson, a veteran actress best known and forever loved for her role on The Brady Bunch, died on Thursday in Los Angeles.
She was 82 years old.
The Hollywood star reportedly passed away while surrounded by family and friends after suffering heart failure, her manager said in a statement late last night.
According to Henderson’s publicist, The Brady Bunch matriarch had been hospitalized on Wednesday and left this world at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
Henderson portrayed Carol Brady on the original Brady Bunch, which concluded in 1974, along with various forms and remakes such as The Brady Bunch Hour in 1977, The Brady Brides in 1981 and The Bradys in 1990.
Of the series, which was also turned into multiple movies, Henderson said in 1999:
“It represents what people always wanted: a loving family. It’s such a gentle, innocent, sweet show, and I guess it proved there’s always an audience for that.”
Henderson competed on Dancing with the Stars Season 11 and remained a pretty famous and popular presence up until the year she died.
Born in Dale, Indiana Henderson was the youngest of 10 children.
She studied American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City after graduating high school and had four children with husband Ira Bernstein. The two got divorced in 1985.
In 1987, the actress got married Dr. John George Kappas, whom she remained married to up until his death in September of 2002.
Other notable roles for Henderson included The Love Boat; Murder, She Wrote; and her hosting of Retirement Living TV’s The Florence Henderson Show from 2008 until her passing.
She garnered a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1996
Shortly after the news of her death went viral, celebrities began to react on social media.
Here are a few examples of what they said about Henderson…
Maureen McCormick: “Florence Henderson was a dear friend for so very many years & in my [heart] forever. Love & hugs to her family. I’ll miss u dearly #RIPFlorence.”
Tom Bergeron:“Heartbroken. I’ll miss you, my friend. #RIP @ItsFloHenderson.”
Debra Messing: “RIP Florence Henderson. ‘The Brady Bunch’ was everything.”
Arsenio Hall: “Thankful that I knew Florence Henderson. #Thanksgiving #rip #greatlady #brightlight.”
Carl Reiner: Sad to read about the passing of Florence Henderson, one of the lovliest, most lovable and beloved people in our business.
Carrie Ann Inaba: “Broken hearted. She was like a mom to us all. I’m grateful I had the chance to get to know you these past few years. RIP #FlorenceHenderson.”
Please join us in sending our condolences to Florence Henderson’s friends, family members and loved ones.