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EMMY-WINNING ACTRESS Ann B. Davis, who became America’s favourite and most famous housekeeper as the devoted Alice Nelson of “The Brady Bunch,” died on Sunday at a San Antonio hospital. She was 88.
Bexar County, Texas, medical examiner’s investigator Sara Horne said Davis died Sunday morning at University Hospital. Horne said no cause of death was available and that an autopsy was planned Monday.
Bill Frey, a retired Episcopal bishop and a longtime friend of Davis, said she suffered a fall Saturday at her San Antonio home. Frey said Davis had lived with him and his wife, Barbara, since 1976.
More than a decade before scoring as the Bradys’ loyal Alice, Davis was the razor-tongued secretary on another stalwart TV sitcom, “The Bob Cummings Show,” which brought her two Emmys. Over the years, she also appeared on Broadway and in occasional movies.
Frey said Davis became part of his and his wife’s “household community” after she re-embraced her Christian faith and left Hollywood behind.
“The public image of her that people have is an accurate image of a strong, wonderful, lively human being,” he said. “The only part that’s inaccurate about that is she had trouble relating to small children, and she doesn’t cook.”
Asked if the friend he called “Ann B” ever missed her life as an actor, he replied: “Not once.”
In a blunt self-appraisal early in her career, Davis called her ordinary look an asset.
“I know at least a couple hundred glamour gals who are starving in this town,” she told the Los Angeles Times in 1955, the year the Cummings show began its four-year run. “I’d rather be myself and eating.”
She said she told NBC photographers not to retouch their pictures of her, but they ignored her request and “gave me eyebrows.”
Producer Sherwood Schwartz’s “The Brady Bunch” debuted in 1969 and aired for five years. But like Schwartz’s other hit, “Gilligan’s Island,” it has lived on in reruns and sequels.
As “The Brady Bunch” theme song reminded viewers each week, the Bradys combined two families into one. Florence Henderson played a widow raising three daughters when she met her TV husband, Robert Reed, a widower with three boys.
In her blue and white maid’s uniform, Davis’ character, Alice Nelson, was constantly cleaning up messes large and small, and she was a mainstay of stability for the family.
“I think I’m lovable. That’s the gift God gave me,” Davis told The Associated Press in a 1993 interview. “I don’t do anything to be lovable. I have no control.”
Davis’ face occupied the centre square during the show’s opening credits. Her love interest was Sam the Butcher, played by Allan Melvin.
“The Brady Bunch” had a successful run until 1974, but it didn’t fade away then. It returned as “The Brady Bunch Hour” (1977), “The Brady Brides” (1981), “The Bradys” (1990). It even appeared as a Saturday morning spinoff (1972-1974).
“The Brady Bunch Movie,” with Shelley Long and Gary Cole as the parents, was a surprise box-office hit in 1995. It had another actress as Alice, but Davis appeared in a bit part as a trucker. It was followed the next year — without Davis — by a less successful “A Very Brady Sequel.”
Older TV viewers remember Davis for another non-glamorous role, on “The Bob Cummings Show,” also known as “Love That Bob.” She played Schultzy, the assistant to Cummings’ character, a handsome, swinging bachelor photographer always chasing beautiful women.
It brought Davis supporting actress Emmy Awards in 1958 and 1959.
After the series ended in 1959, Davis appeared in such movies as “A Man Called Peter,” ”Lover Come Back” and “All Hands on Deck.” During layoffs she played in summer stock.
Between her two better-known shows, she played a gym teacher at an exclusive girls’ school in 1965-66 in “The John Forsythe Show.”
During her stints in “The Bob Cummings Show” and “The Brady Bunch,” she used the layoffs to appear in summer theatre with such shows as “Three on a Honeymoon.” She also toured with the USO to entertain U.S. troops in Korea and elsewhere.
For many years after “The Brady Bunch” wound up, Davis led a quiet religious life, affiliating herself with a group led by Frey.
“I was born again,” she told the AP in 1993. “It happens to Episcopalians. Sometimes it doesn’t hit you till you’re 47 years old.”It changed my whole life for the better. … I spent a lot of time giving Christian witness all over the country to church groups and stuff.”
She took a long sabbatical from the theatre, largely limiting her performances to “Brady Bunch” specials and TV commercials.
In 1993, Davis returned to the theatre, joining the touring cast of “Crazy for You,” a musical featuring the songs of George and Ira Gershwin.
Davis never married, saying she never found a man who was more interesting than her career.
“By the time I started to get interested (in finding someone),” she told the Chicago Sun-Times, “all the good ones were taken.”
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How long has he had the job and he’s already ruffling feathers and leaving parents not knowing what is happening?
Same sh!t different minister
I think he’s bitten off more than he can chew on this one . He’s a great one for soundbites on matters that don’t concern his portfolio so to say this and walk into the sunset for a few months is unforgivable and shows his true colours.
About time someone ruffled a few feathers
Varadaker if he was a lollypop he would lick himself.
Can’t help but think Varadkar was given that job to do what Reilly couldn’t, he’ll be a hatchet man. His only qualification is that he’s a qualified doctor, but then so was his predecessor, and he wasn’t exactly exceptional.
Kenny doesn’t fancy him much. Thinks he’s getting too big for his boots. Sticks him in Health knowing he’ll mess up. Good plan except for the fact that it’s the public who will suffer and sick children especially.
Can u explain that please Ray
Don’t like the whole idea of discretionary medical cards. At who’s discretion? Thought the system was means tested. It appears that it is not and that there is slot of discretion in the system which is open to abuse. If medical cards are being made available to wealthy people on the basis of discretion then maybe Varadcar is right that obesity is also a serious medical issue and t those people need a medical card on an equal basis and that the system will be overwhelmed. Alternatively we can all pay more tax and have a system like in the UK where medicine is free to all. That appears to be the best solution?
In other words, he’s taking a much-needed different approach. What do you want him to do: lie down and agree to every request he gets? Cop-on. He’s an educated and balanced individual who will listen and make informed and rational decisions. There will always be people not happy about every decision.
Whelo, you made me laugh there, well done.
lol Enda has done a job on varadkar, welcome to the big boys table Leo.
Same minister, same shit, different department. Microphone junkie
I wish they would stop using defenceless innocent children as pawns. Seriously sick children should have full medical cards regardless of what their parents might or might not have.
Under certain ,regardless of what they say, there is not more to life than money …..
They should do away with the 1.8 million automatic medical cards and give out only discretionary ones. And remove the financial benefits such as lower USC which u presumably only pay when u go back to work
The entire health system is a manual form filling joke at a time when Ireland is tripping up over software engineers. Why can’t a GP book a consultant initial appointment like I book an NCT for my car? Seriously, why?
Because it’s run by the HSE.
No but seriously, because of the shortage of hospital consultants, and the shortage of space and staff for patients to be seen, all referrals are read, and then graded for urgency. (Potential cancer above stomach ulcer above heartburn for example). This doesn’t happen in other countries where there are lots of specialists.
That’s a reasonable point for follow ups but for initial 15-30 min consultation to figure out what is wrong the NCT style booking? GPs + admin staff do not determine who has cancer + who does not
I have to life threating genetic conditions I was born with them will have them for the rest of my life and will die from them. I will still protest for the people who’s cards are been taking off them even though I am lucky to still have mine. What we need is for everybody to stand together young and old rich and poor and those with card those without make a stand but sadly most people reading this will just write a comment but will never take action
Didn’t take this utter clown long. .
A party of clowns.
I can’t really understand why people get so upset when a member of fine Gael says something like this, and do they not get it etc etc. Fine Gael and Leo are right wing neocons, look at their manifesto, they believe in an American system of health care. So really they’re just pushing their ideology on to us. Every party has a different agenda. So why would people expect them to go beyond their beliefs.
Why are people so shocked its a FG Minister – people voted for this Party.
And the people suffer.
Councillor Quinn
Maybe the health service would be better if it had not been for the middle-managers who were appointed under Fianna Fáil-led governments and who still have their jobs because the Labour party is the lapdog of both Impact and Siptu.
Same thing again. The pds were in with fianna fail last time. Remember Mary Harney. Wasn’t she off in the states all the time getting her toenails done at our expense ie fas. The party’s that we elect have as an underlying theme the plan to privatize the health system and leave a bare shell for anyone that doesn’t have insurance. That includes anyone born with a serious illness. We are not headed for a Scandinavian model by any stretch of the imagination. The proof is right in front of us on a daily basis
@sol
The universal health insurance system includes State provision of insurance for people who cannot afford to pay for it.
Cllr. Quinn I have to say I find your people suffer comment a bit disturbing. Also do you believe it’s helpful to state you get what you deserve attitude rather then provide possible solution. For example an NHS model?
I didn’t and never did
the thing is that they spin out this line about universal health insurance but have yet to actually produce it. this is indeed to just try to quieten down any complainers. i thought we were to have free gp care for under six’s last January. i have two kids under six. i can tell you that this promise has not been kept. why would i believe anything they say about universal health insurance. other countries have had it for years. i myself lived in Holland 20 years ago and availed of universal health insurance and it was fine for me. you say for people that cant afford to pay it. who decides whats enough to live on or who cant afford to pay for it. is it the same people who take medical cards from cancer suffers or kids with downs syndrome. id rather not be at the behest and mercy of officials like those. i don’t believe a word they say. the proof is in the pudding.
CEO of J&J earns almost 100,000 a year. All of these charities are frauds. They don’t target the bone idle when it but those who are genuinely in need. Shame.
-when it* red thumbs
He is also a buddy of FG
He also does a lot more for healthcare in the country than the government and deserves his income – €100000 is actually quite modest for a CEO in fairness.
Same as the Union leaders that preach ‘Socialism’ I suppose. Charity workers should not be paid like CEO’s of enterprising companies. Where does Jack & Jill’s revenue come from? Have personal experience of dealing with J&J collection programmes. Del Trotter like characters.
Our country is in such a bad state that the government can’t guarantee medical cards for sick children, yet we can send millions to war torn countries, where is the logic in that?
Oh God Elaine, not you again
Oh look it’s Bridget retired old fart with nothing better to do…
Hello, Elaine. Have we met?
Brilliant comment Sinead. Target waste, grossly overpaid health workers and undeserving medical card holders first.
Garth Brooks……
HODOR
Cop yourself on there ,James
Havent the parents enough on their plates with the pressure of a sick child without the worry of whether theyll retain their medical cards. Its sick.
My young lad was in hospital last wk having an operation. If we went public the waiting list is ONE YEAR just to see the consultant. So we went private even though we cannot afford it. As i was waiting for him to wake up from the op he looked so vulnerable it broke my heart. And i couldnt help but think of all the parents of sick children who feel this on a daily basis and the added financial worry from a Minister and a Government who couldnt care less.
Leo, go and visit a childrens ward during your summer hols and have a chat with the parents of a terminally sick child or a disabled child. And try and justify removing their medical card cos they are earning €5 a month too much.
I cannot understand why your post is called Minister for Health when the health of people is not your priority. But saving €€€€ is. Cop on.
Typical of this country. “Let’s crack an auld Garth brooks joke sure. You know, for the craic like”
Here’s a question somebody maybe able to answer. Is the current system of a financial hardship model condemning people born with or acquire a serious life long medical condition a life of poverty and state dependence? If that can be established would there be a legal option to change the system?
It’s hard to understand what your saying but I think no. I don’t think there’s a legal obligation on the part of the state to insure that a disabled or sick person has the right to all up to date medicine’s and aids such as the latest physio appliances. It’s at their discretion as to provide these or not. I think that’s where a lot of the problems start in that its not legistated for adequately. I could be wrong but it appears this way to me. I’m as confused as most people when it comes to this topic.
In brief if your born with an issue that’s expensive to maintain work without help is not an option is your rights being removed from you.
Are you saying that if you are born with or acquire an illness that won’t allow you to participate fully in society without serious help from the state an obligation of the state to address then I’d say off the top of my head. No it isn’t. And that’s why we have these distressing scenes of parents of sick kids and adults on a daily basis in our media finding out how easily it is for the govt to take away any supports they have.
Varadkar has a better grasp of the situation then most but i don’t know why he’s coming out with the comments now when she’s just in the door. Perhaps he’s trying to manage expectations.
I cannot understand how these impisils are given ministerial positions in the 1st place without having experience of working with the long-term ill. If I applied for a job, I would certainly need experience in the field that job was in and we’re supposed to be a democratic state. Wake up people.
Get a high court order to stop him from playing monkey in the cage politics with peoples lives. Take him in front of a judge under the equality laws and discrimination. He has a right puffed up neck to place this unfair row back at these very sick vunerable people and children. Remember there is more of you and one of him in front of the Fine Gael and Labour government. Get a high court injunction and slap him so hard with it his fairy fingers will leave you alone with the cards.
Keep in mind two years ago people with disabilities protested outside the Dail because their allowance was cut. This minister and others like him in office walked past. Ignored them . Imagine the world image if Fine Gael was hauled into the courts for discrimination disregards of the equality laws and the states manifesto to treat all citizens of Ireland as equal. Fine Gael would be destroyed at the hands of big headed leo.
Children, the disabled, the immigrants and the elderly are the best cared for on Ireland.It is the average worker that is seriously let down. Sorry if this comment may offend but it is the truth.
In Ireland not on Ireland.Autospell mistake.
A fully qualified doctor and he himself doesn’t get how vital this is for the people of Ireland! What a waste of free education
He is a good man for appearing in photos for the papers and TV if he is as good at being a health minister he will do good,but he won’t be left do anything because Enda will slap him down fairly fast.
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