In an exclusive interview with Closer Weekly, Eve Plumb opens up about being the iconic character of middle child Jan Brady from the hit 1969 until 1974 sitcom The Brady Bunch — and how she turned her childhood stardom into a four-decade-long career!
Eve admits she wasn’t planning on becoming a child star. “It just happened,” she explains to Closer. “A children’s agent moved next door to me when I was a kid and I got a commercial, then I kept getting more. I shot TV pilots, appeared on The Big Valley, then Lassie, then The Brady Bunch came.”
Eve as Jan in The Brady Bunch.
“I had so much success as a child,” she tells Closer. “But once you age out of being the cute kid, then what? If you’re not ready for it, it can be very difficult.”
MORE: Maureen McCormick Shares Her Last Words With Florence Henderson Before Her Death (EXCLUSIVE)
Eve explains to Closer that her upbringing helped her avoid the pitfalls of being a child star. “My father ran my career and invested my money very well. My mother was with me on set every day. They never took a cent from me!”
After the iconic sitcom ended in 1974, she admits she auditioned for many parts that she didn’t get but says she kept trying. “I will audition for anything!” Eve, 59, tells Closer with a laugh. “Whatever comes my way!”
And although she has had a very successful career after the Brady Bunch, Eve tells Closer that she is still recognized as Jan Brady but says she doesn’t mind — especially because it has helped her career. “If it gets me in the door [for jobs], then fine! If you’re surprised to learn I can do other things, then great!” she says.
MORE: Susan Olsen Reveals Behind-the-Scenes Secrets From ‘The Brady Bunch’
Eve has gone on to play many roles, like most recently Mrs. Murdock in Fox’s Grease Live!, but tells Closer she accepts her legacy. “I’ll always be Jan Brady to so many people. I can’t escape it, but I can do other things,” she tells Closer, before mischievously joking: “Isn’t [Jan] dead yet?”
For the full interview from Eve Plumb, including details of her 22-year marriage to Ken Pace, pick up the latest issue of Closer Weekly, on newsstands now!
For more exclusive news from Closer Weekly, be sure to sign up for our newsletter!
Click through the gallery below to see the cast of The Brady Bunch then and now!
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pLjOrJyrr5WauK3FjZympmegpMC1v46erZ5loKHCrq6Mo5inZZKnrqXFjK2fnmWSp66vr8dmma6mk516cn%2BSa2dwZw%3D%3D