Barry Williams, the actor famed for portraying Greg Brady in the classic 1970s sitcom The Brady Bunch, has drawn a surprising parallel between his time on the show and the raunchy reality dating series Love Island. The 71-year-old made this wild confession during a recent episode of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! Australia, while chatting with campmate Matthew Zukowski, who gained fame on the Australian version of Love Island.
Cast Romances Mirrored On-Screen Sibling Dynamics
Williams disclosed that he dated his on-screen step-sister, Maureen McCormick, who played Marcia Brady, describing their relationship as on-and-off over different periods. He emphasised that the romantic entanglements extended across the entire young cast, creating a dynamic reminiscent of a reality TV dating show.
'We all hooked up with each other at some point,' Williams stated, clarifying that not all these relationships occurred during the filming of the iconic series, which aired from 1969 to 1974. He detailed how the pairings naturally aligned with the characters' ages: Greg and Marcia as the oldest, Peter and Jan as the middle children, and Bobby and Cindy as the youngest.
Specific Cast Relationships Revealed
Williams elaborated on the specific off-screen romances among the cast members. Mike Lookinland, who played youngest son Bobby, dated his on-screen stepsister Susan Olsen (Cindy), while Christopher Knight, portraying middle sibling Peter, was involved with co-star Eve Plumb (Jan). Williams himself had his relationship with McCormick, and he noted that Lookinland and Olsen even had a mock wedding at one point.
'We were together as a television family more than with our own families at times of the year,' Williams explained. 'We knew each other, we trusted each other, and, you know, we liked each other. So, it was bound to happen.'
Love Island Comparison and Flirtations Beyond the Kids
In a cheeky exchange with Zukowski, Williams asked, 'Have you ever been to Love Island? Well, it's kind of like that, you know? You look around and you take in the environment and you start chatting, and suddenly things are happening.' This analogy highlights the spontaneous and interconnected dating scene within the cast.
The flirtations were not limited to the younger actors. Williams also revealed he had a teenage crush on his on-screen mother, Carol Brady, played by Florence Henderson. He described her as having a lively personality and great sense of humour, and he once invited her on what he considered a date to see a singer at a venue near Beverly Hills.
A Memorable Night with Florence Henderson
Recalling the evening, Williams said they were recognised by fans, leading to whispers, but they discussed music and touring life. 'I did go in for a little kiss and she was nice enough to return it,' he fondly remembered, calling it a highlight and a nice little peck. This anecdote is also chronicled in his book, adding a personal touch to the behind-the-scenes stories.
Williams' revelations offer a fascinating glimpse into the off-screen lives of the Brady Bunch cast, blending nostalgia with candid confessions about romance and camaraderie that echo the dynamics of modern reality TV.
