Best TV Moms of the 1970s Who Defined the Decade
The 1970s offered some of the most unforgettable moms in TV history. There was just something extra special about TV moms in the 1970s. As viewers moved past the sweet homemaker-type moms like Barbara Billingsley‘s June Cleaver, Donna Reed, or Harriet Nelson in the 1950s and 1960s, they were introduced to a wider range of personalities.
The 1970s offered sweet, enduring moms like Florence Henderson‘s Carol Brady and Marion Ross‘ Marion Cunningham, who nurtured every need, but also had the hard-working, single moms balancing careers and family needs, from Diahann Carroll in Julia or Shirley Jones in The Partridge Family to the divorced Bonnie Franklin‘s Ann Romano in One Day at a Time.
This Mother’s Day, celebrate some favorite TV Moms from the 1970s.
Julia Baker, Julia
20th Century Fox Film Corp./Everett Collection
Julia Baker (Diahann Carroll) called her son “my little man.” Corey (Marc Copage) called her “ma’am” (Dad was in the military — he died in Vietnam). New to Los Angeles and finding her footing, the widowed nurse may have stumbled a bit on the 1968-71 sitcom Julia (leaving a 6-year-old alone to go on a job interview?). Still, she taught Corey to be honest and kind and was especially perceptive in matters of race. When he was upset about a fight over whether Santa was Black, she soothed him by saying, “Santa Claus is really the spirit of Christmas giving. He can be any color.”
Carol Brady, The Brady Bunch
Everett Collection
Here’s the story of upbeat Carol Brady (Henderson) — a single woman with three daughters who marries a widowed man raising three sons — who made it all look easy on ABC for five seasons (1969-74) as well as multiple spinoffs. With help from her understanding architect husband, Mike (Robert Reed), and family maid, Alice (Ann B. Davis), whether she was doling out punishments to the Brady kids or joining in the fun, Carol’s love was the glue that kept this bunch together.
Shirley Partridge, The Partridge Family
Everett Collection
When her brood of five ambitious children decides to start a pop group, who better to watch over them (and lend her impressive pipes) than their widowed mother, Shirley Partridge (Jones), in this ABC sitcom that aired for four seasons (1970-74). Besides touring and recording albums (with real top-charting hits like “I Think I Love You”), Shirley also managed to have a (gasp!) love life, but she never let those romantic relationships get in the way of being the best musical mom ever. Bonus: Jones’ real-life stepson, David Cassidy, played her teen heartthrob son, Keith.
Louise Jefferson, The Jeffersons
CBS/Everett Collection
Kindhearted and wise Louise Jefferson (Emmy-winner Isabel Sanford) was affectionately nicknamed “Weezy” by her ambitious, temper-tantrum-prone husband, George (Sherman Hemsley), with whom she had a son, opinionated Lionel (played in different seasons by Mike Evans and Damon Evans, no relation). The trio first appeared on the CBS sitcom All in the Family (1971-79) and then got their own hilarious spinoff, The Jeffersons (1975-85). Louise was supportive of Lionel as he grew up and grappled with love, marriage, and divorce; she tolerated her critical mother-in-law, “Mother” Jefferson (Zara Cully), and was amused by George’s ongoing feud with their wisecracking maid, Florence (Marla Gibbs).
Olivia Walton, The Waltons
Everett Collection
An earth mother of the Depression who never lost faith, Olivia Walton managed a brood of seven children atop Walton’s Mountain in Virginia on the hit drama The Waltons (1972-81). Replacing Patricia Neal from the 1971 movie pilot The Homecoming, Michael Learned won multiple Emmys as the stern but loving Olivia, surviving polio and tuberculosis during those rough years. Life for the Waltons wasn’t easy, but Olivia was there when it mattered, wishing all her kids a “good night.”
Caroline Ingalls, Little House on the Prairie
Charles “Pa” Ingalls (Michael Landon) was the indulgent parent of the Walnut Grove homesteaders at the heart of Little House on the Prairie. But fiercely fair-minded “Ma” (Karen Grassle), aka Caroline, was the one who made sure necks were scrubbed, manners were minded, and (mild) punishments were meted out to daughters Mary (Melissa Sue Anderson), Laura (Melissa Gilbert), and the littlest, Carrie (Lindsay and Sidney Greenbush). The family’s numbers grew over the popular drama’s 1974-83 run, as did Ma’s domestic duties. “I reckon there’s times she gets bone tired,” said Laura, “but you’d never know it.”
Florida Evans, Good Times
Everett Collection
On the CBS sitcom Good Times (1974-79), stern but loving stay-at-home mom Florida Evans (Esther Rolle) and her husband, proud, hardworking James (John Amos), lived in a Chicago public-housing project high-rise, where they were raising three children: charismatic artist J.J. (Jimmie Walker), aspiring actress/dancer Thelma (Bern Nadette Stanis) and activist Michael (Ralph Carter). Florida was the glue in TV’s first two-parent Black sitcom family. She would act as referee to J.J. and Thelma’s constant bickering and was often flummoxed by Michael’s revolutionary spirit. She was sustained by her devout Christianity and strong community bonds, including with gossipy neighbor Willona Woods (Ja’net Dubois).
Marion Cunningham, Happy Days
Everett Collection
As the loving mother of three (rambunctious tween Joanie, girl-happy teen Richie and little-seen eldest son Chuck), the Milwaukee matriarch commanded laughs and respect in the 1950s-set comedy Happy Days. Marion Ross, who earned two Emmy nominations for her work on the classic sitcom (1974-84), gave Mrs. C a voice — both as a vibrant wife, who still loved when husband Howard (Tom Bosley) got “frisky,” and as a parental figure, even to Fonzie (Henry Winkler). She was the only one who could put him in his place and, with a caring kiss on the cheek, melt him into a grinning boy.
Ann Romano, One Day at a Time
Everett Collection
Tough love was how divorcée Ann Romano (Bonnie Franklin) rolled in this 1975-84 CBS sitcom from super producer Norman Lear. In the comedy (which also spawned the 2017-20 Latinx reboot), Ann single-handedly raised two teenage daughters, defiant Julie (Mackenzie Phillips) and sweet Barbara (Valerie Bertinelli), but as with other Lear series like All in the Family and Maude, topics like substance abuse, religion, sex, and women’s equality were at the forefront. Over the years, Julie and Barbara grew up and had their own families, but whenever they needed their mother, Ann was always there.
These are excerpts from the Best of TV Moms Issue of TV Guide Puzzler Magazine. You can purchase the full issue at the link below.
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PUZZLER: TV Moms
Vol 1, Issue 9
Be it June Cleaver or Caroline Ingalls who wouldn't want to be soothed by their guidance and wisdom? Puzzles, trivia and word searches for TV's top moms are featured.
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