Florence Henderson played Carol Brady, the matriarch of family TV show The Brady Bunch, for its entire run (and then some), so it’s not a surprise that many celebrities in Hollywood were saddened to hear of her passing Thursday night.
She didn’t only touch the hearts of those who watched the feel-good show, but stars from all across the entertainment spectrum were sharing their condolences Friday morning.
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Henderson passed away at age 82 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles after being hospitalized the day before, said her publicist David Brokaw. Henderson had suffered heart failure, her manager Kayla Pressman said in a statement.
Maureen McCormick, who played eldest daughter Marcia Brady on The Brady Bunch, remembered her TV mom fondly. The actor who played oldest son Greg Brady, Barry Williams, also offered his condolences.
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Actors outside the immediate Brady Bunch family were also impacted, since many of them grew up watching Henderson. Celebrities from all walks of life, including musicians, comedians and hosts, posted their thoughts to Twitter. Former Star Trek actor George Takei called Henderson a “America’s mom,” and judging by the wide-ranging sentiment, he’s not far off with that description.
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Henderson married theatre executive Ira Bernstein and the couple had four children before the union ended in divorce after 29 years.
Her second husband, John Kappas, died in 2002.
Pressman said she is survived by her children; Barbara, Joseph, Robert and Lizzie, their respective spouses, and five grandchildren.
With files from The Associated Press