‘Brady Bunch’ Star Susan Olsen Says This Comedy Legend Was Her Favorite Guest Star

Lauren Novak June 10, 12:00 pm

THE BRADY BUNCH, Susan Olsen, 1969-1974. — Everett Collection

What To Know

Susan Olsen’s favorite guest star on The Brady Bunch was in the Season 3 episode “Jan’s Aunt Jenny.”
Other notable guest stars mentioned by Olsen included Davy Jones, Desi Arnaz Jr., and Joe Namath, whom she recalled as friendly and memorable.

The Brady Bunch had plenty of famous guest stars over the years, but one made a very different impression on Susan Olsen. In an exclusive interview with ReMIND at The Hollywood Show, Olsen was asked about her favorite guest star from the classic sitcom. Her answer was Imogene Coca, the legendary comic actress who played Aunt Jenny in the Season 3 episode “Jan’s Aunt Jenny.”

It makes sense that Coca stood out because by the time she appeared on The Brady Bunch, she was already a television comedy legend.

Who Did Imogene Coca Play on The Brady Bunch?

THE BRADY BUNCH, Florence Henderson, Eve Plumb, Imogene Coca, 'Jan's Aunt Jenny', (Season 3, aired January 21, 1972), 1969-74

Everett Collection

Coca appeared in “Jan’s Aunt Jenny,” an episode centered around Jan Brady, played by Eve Plumb. In the episode, Jan sees a photo of her great-aunt Jenny when she was younger and notices that Jenny looked a lot like her. At first, Jan is excited by the connection. Then she sees what Aunt Jenny looks like as an older woman and starts worrying that she will grow up to look just like her.

Of course, when Aunt Jenny actually shows up, Jan learns there is more to her than a photograph. Jenny is funny, lively, and confident, and the episode becomes less about looks and more about seeing someone for who they really are.

Why Susan Olsen Remembered Imogene Coca

Courtesy of ReMIND Magazine/Karen Ruud

Olsen said Coca was “really shy,” which surprised her at the time. “I knew a lot of classic TV stuff,” Olsen said, “I wasn’t that familiar with her, but it was really amazing to me that she was so shy, and then she had a hard time rehearsing. Then once the cameras were on, just changed, went right into the performance,” Olsen said. “I was fascinated with her.”

Coca also made an impression in a more personal way. Olsen said Coca was “sweet enough” to send everyone Christmas cards that year. “So she was special,” Olsen added.

Other Famous Brady Bunch Guest Stars

Olsen also brought up a few other major names who appeared on The Brady Bunch, including Davy Jones, Desi Arnaz Jr. and Joe Namath.

Jones, of course, appeared in the famous episode “Getting Davy Jones,” while Arnaz played himself in “The Possible Dream.” Namath also appeared as himself in “Mail Order Hero.” Olsen said Namath was “surprisingly fun and friendly and nice,” adding that he is still that way. She said she has run into him a couple of times over the years and remembered him as “so sweet.”