Florence Henderson

Florence Henderson (b. Dale, February 14, 1934 - d. Los Angeles, November 24, 2016) – Broadway singer and actress. Born into a share-cropping family of ten children, Henderson graduated from the St. Francis Academy in Owensboro, Kentucky, and then went on to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. After performing in musicals off-Broadway and on tours, she landed her first Broadway role in 1952 in Wish You Were Here. She later had starring roles in Broadway productions of Fanny (1954) and The Girl Who Came to Supper (1963). In 1962, she became the first female to host the Johnny Carson Show. Her real fame came much later when she played Carol Brady on the Brady Bunch (1969-1974). Since then, she has appeared periodically on talk shows, variety shows, game shows, sitcoms, commercials, film, and even reality TV (My Fair Brady and The Surreal Life). A veritable pop icon since her Brady days, Henderson was the spokesperson for Wesson Oil from 1976 to 1996. In terms of Hoosier ties, she still regularly sings “God Bless America” at the Indianapolis 500 and also raises money for the Sisters of St. Benedict in Ferdinand.