Susan Olsen Reveals She 'Almost Died' Filming First 'Brady Bunch' Episode

Susan Olsen—known to millions as Cindy Brady—recently dropped a bombshell about her time filming the first episode of "The Brady Bunch": she almost didn't make it out in one piece. During a podcast reunion with her co-stars Mike Lookinland, Christopher Knight, and Barry Williams, Olsen recalled a harrowing accident that happened on the very first day of shooting the iconic show's pilot in 1969.

Olsen revealed that during filming, while she was getting body makeup applied on set at the Culver lot, a piece of equipment fell from the catwalk above. It struck the makeup man first, ricocheted off the body makeup artist, and then landed squarely on her face. Talk about dodging a bullet—except in this case, the bullet was a rogue studio light.

The incident was so bad that if you look closely at the wedding ceremony scene, Olsen says you can spot the swelling on her face. Early publicity shots apparently show it, too. Not exactly the look you want when your big TV debut is supposed to introduce you as America's sweetheart.

Florence Henderson, the show's iconic matriarch, was the first to rally around Olsen, making sure everyone on set knew the young actress was seriously hurt—even if everyone else seemed determined to downplay it. Olsen, just a kid at the time, admitted all she wanted was to cry her eyes out. Instead, she put on a brave face and pushed through.

Her mother took her to the doctor, but the family decided not to take legal action. Olsen later joked that skipping the lawsuit was her biggest financial regret, quipping, "I would have made more off of that than the show." She showed up to work the very next day, sporting two black eyes, a swollen nose, and a face that she likened to a horror movie extra. If nothing else, that's one way to get out of gym class.

Paramount called in makeup legend Hal King—who worked with Lucille Ball—to cover the bruises for filming. The cover-up job was so successful that even her fellow Brady kids didn't notice anything was wrong. Now that's Hollywood magic.

"The Brady Bunch" went on to become one of America's most beloved sitcoms, airing from 1969 to 1974 and chronicling the adventures of the blended Brady family. But for Susan Olsen, it all started with a close call—and a reminder that TV magic sometimes comes with some real-life bumps and bruises.