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Eve Plumb has a piece of advice for Hollywood teenagers.
The “Brady Bunch” star, best known as America’s most memorable middle child Jan Brady, said one rule helped her avoid the pitfalls that have led many child actors astray — and it started by refusing to conform to everything.
“I think the ability to say no is very important as a player,” Plumb told Fox News Digital exclusively. “And as a person, we always talk about setting boundaries. And my parents always made sure I had time off and did the right things. You don’t have to agree to everything. And I still do today.”
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“The Brady Bunch” Season Five (1973) features the full cast, including Christopher Knight, Barry Williams, Ann B. Davis, Eve Plumb, Florence Henderson, Robert Reed, Maureen McCormick, Susan Olsen, and Mike Lookinland. (ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images; CBS via Getty Images)
The author of “Happy, Together: Jan Brady and Beyond” was just 10 years old when she played “The Brady Bunch,” a role that locked her into one of television’s most recognizable families and transformed her into a pop culture icon for generations.
But while the show portrayed a healthy family life, Plumb said her real-life background behind it is what drew her in.
His parents’ support was vital in an industry where stress, exploitation and burnout are constant risks.
“I would hope for all child actors that they have good protective parents, like me, who save their money and protect themselves from anything that seems suspicious,” he said. “And again, just knowing that once you’re famous you can’t go back. So be careful if you really want to choose.”
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Despite her modest upbringing, Plumb said the child star’s transformation isn’t slowing down.
“It took me a long time to realize that I’m not a pretty kid anymore,” she said. “It probably happened in my late 20s, when I finally stopped getting everything I was auditioning for. I had so much confidence going forward and walking into all my roles, that it took me a while to feel the disappointment of being a Hollywood actor.”
“The Brady Bunch” cast members Susan Olsen, Mike Lookinland, Eve Plumb, Christopher Knight, Maureen McCormick, Barry Williams, Ann B. Davis, Florence Henderson and Robert Reed stand on a staircase in Los Angeles in 1969. (CBS via Getty Images)
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In his new memoir, Plumb offers a rare, unfiltered look at both his long professional life in Hollywood and his personal struggles.
When Fox News Digital asked her why she decided to share her story now, she said the time finally felt right.
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“I decided to do this now because over the years many people have asked me to tell them my stories in their book and I decided to keep them to myself until one day I felt like, ‘You know, I’m ready,'” said Plumb.
But his going back wasn’t just longing.
“Happiness Covered: Jan Brady and Beyond” by Eve Plumb and Marcia Wilkie, covers different phases of Plumb’s life and work. (Kensington / Citadel Press)
“And the hardest thing to write about was death. The death of my dogs, spoiler alert, dogs dying. And of course, all my family members,” he said. “It’s not like it was a Shakespeare play and all my family members died, but we lose family members, we lose dear friends. And you never get over grief; it’s ever-changing. And it will hit you when you least expect it.”
Eve Plumb, better known as Jan Brady, says that learning to say no helped her avoid the pitfalls that have plagued many child actresses in Hollywood. (Chia Messina)
From her 6-year-old debut booking national commercials — including Barbie — Plumb quickly became a familiar face on television, landing roles on “Gunsmoke,” “Lassie” and “Here’s Lucy” before her breakout role as Jan Brady on “The Brady Bunch.” After five seasons on the iconic sitcom, she embarked on a more dramatic career, starring in “Dawn: Portrait of a Teenage Runaway” and its sequels.
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She went on to build a steady career appearing in fan favorites like “The Love Boat,” “Fantasy Island,” “Wonder Woman” and “The Facts of Life,” later adding credits to “Law & Order: SVU,” “Blue Bloods” and “The Way.” He has also taken the stage in New York and worked as a visual artist, with his work exhibited in galleries throughout the US and Europe.
“Happiness Included: Jan Brady and Beyond” is available now.
