Veteran Actor Reflects on Iconic Brady Bunch Role

In a recent interview, veteran actor Gary Cole, now 69 years old, looked back on his role as Mike Brady in the 1995 comedy film The Brady Bunch Movie. Cole starred as the patriarch of the beloved TV family, a part originally made famous by Robert Reed in the 1960s sitcom.

The 1995 film and its 1996 sequel, A Very Brady Sequel, brought the Bradys into the 1990s, though the family remained stuck in their groovy, retro ways. Cole reminisced about the experience, recalling the "bad hair, polyester, and high platform shoes" that defined the era. However, he felt the movies struck the right balance, "a send-up with some sweetness attached to it" that paid homage to the original show.

Interestingly, Cole revealed that Marcia Brady actress Maureen McCormick, who appeared in the films, complimented his portrayal of her on-screen father. This stamp of approval from an original Brady cast member clearly meant a lot to Cole. The films also featured cameos from other beloved Brady actors, further connecting the new version to the classic TV series.

As for Cole's own memories of the original Brady Bunch, he recalled being a teenager when the show first aired in 1969. Even though he and his friends felt "too cool" to watch it on Friday nights, the character of Marcia made an impression, as she did on many young viewers at the time.