But she soon realized she had something that the now iconic role — and the show overall — needed: Henderson was the only real-life parent in the bunch, as well as the product of a 10-child family.

"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 said in 1999.

The Brady Bunch cast at the 5th Annual TV Land Awards in 2007. Left to right: Susan Olsen, Florence Henderson, Barry Williams, Maureen McCormick and Christopher Knight. (Credit: Getty Images) ...