Susan Olsen, who portrayed Cindy Brady on the iconic sitcom ‘The Brady Bunch,’ has spoken openly about her childhood feelings toward the character. During a recent interview with People magazine, Olsen revealed that she disliked her role as Cindy, describing the character as ‘stupid’ and a ‘tattletale.’ She explained that the traits assigned to Cindy, such as the lisp and tendency to tattle, led to bullying at school, making her uncomfortable with the character’s portrayal.
Olsen, who was just 7 when she began playing Cindy in 1969, admitted that she didn’t understand the appeal of the character back then. While many viewers found Cindy endearing, Olsen felt the character was not bright and made her a target for teasing. She recalled how some of Cindy’s lines on the show would lead to her being mocked by classmates, with the second-season episode ‘A Fistful of Reasons’ being a particularly tough moment.
Despite the challenges, Olsen has acknowledged the lasting impact of the show on her life. She recounted that playing Cindy taught her a lot about the entertainment industry and shaped her early career. She also mentioned that while the character was ‘lovable’ in the eyes of the audience, she felt it was more of a ‘dumping ground’ for the producers’ jokes. However, she expressed understanding of the show’s popularity, even if she personally found Cindy’s traits unappealing.
In addition to her role on the sitcom, Olsen has reprised her character in various media, including the variety show ‘The Brady Bunch Hour’ and the TV movies ‘The Brady Girls Get Married’ and ‘The Bradys.’ She has also voiced the character in the animated series ‘The Brady Kids.’ Currently, she works as a children’s acting coach at Vibes Performing Arts in Santa Clarita, California, offering her insights and experience to the next generation of actors.
Despite the challenges of her time on the show, Olsen has grown to appreciate the role in the broader context of television history. While she may not have enjoyed playing Cindy as a child, she recognizes the cultural significance of the character. Her reflections offer a rare glimpse into the personal experiences of a child star and the complexities of portraying a character that was beloved by audiences.