Brady Bunch Star Reflects on the Post-Sitcom Role She Wishes More Fans Remembered

Eve Plumb, best known for playing Jan Brady on The Brady Bunch, says she hopes fans remember her for more than the iconic 1970s sitcom. In a recent interview with Houston Public Media, the 68-year-old actress said she especially wished more people knew her from Fudge, a short-lived children’s series she starred in during the 1990s. Plumb said she loved working on the show and regretted that it only lasted two seasons on ABC’s Saturday morning lineup in 1995.

Fudge was based on Judy Blume’s popular children’s book series. Plumb played Anne Hatcher, the mother of the young character at the center of the story. She recalled that she had not read the books before auditioning and learned the basic premise only moments before her screen test. Calling herself a strong cold reader, Plumb said she quickly figured out the role and went with it. She also joked about her confusion over the title character before learning that Fudge was not a fantasy figure but a three-year-old boy.

Plumb said one reason the role was especially enjoyable was that she had dyed her hair dark brown, which helped her avoid being instantly recognized in public. Unlike her famous blonde appearance on The Brady Bunch, the darker hair helped her feel more relaxed and allowed her to be cast in a different kind of role. She described the experience as refreshing and said she was happy to play a brunette on the series.

Judy Blume, however, has spoken about the television adaptation in much less positive terms. In a past interview, the celebrated author said the production was emotionally difficult and frustrating because she had been told her input would be important but was later kept away from the process. Blume said she was disappointed by being sidelined after being invited to participate, calling the experience degrading and humiliating.

Even so, Blume said she appreciated the cast and the work that went into the show. She praised the children, the set design, and the creativity behind the production, noting that many elements were impressive. Her main disappointment, she said, was that the series did not become the kind of project she had hoped for. She described the experience as a reminder that television production often moves too quickly for the kind of careful involvement she wanted.

Plumb’s comments highlight the contrast between her fond memories of the series and Blume’s more conflicted reaction. While Fudge did not become a long-running hit, it remains a notable part of Plumb’s career beyond The Brady Bunch, showing her range as an actress and her willingness to embrace roles that gave her a fresh public identity.