Meet Trump-loving Susan Olsen, who claims the Brady Bunch revival was axed over her politics: she quit acting at 23, illegally farmed marijuana with her ex, and was fired for homophobia

Oct 29, 2024

The actress was fired from the Two Chicks Talkin’ Politics radio show for sending a ‘homophobic rant’ to a gay guest; her son is named after Mike Lookinland, aka Bobby Brady, her TV brother

Susan Olsen, who delighted fans as baby Cindy of The Brady Bunch, is no stranger to controversy. On a recent episode of the WalkAway Campaign podcast, the 63-year-old claimed that a revival of the beloved series, in which Cindy would have grown up to be a libertarian podcaster, was put on halt because of Olsen’s support for Donald Trump. Contrary to her claim, a show source clarified to People, it was actually Olsen’s hate speech that caused the reboot to be axed.

The actress further alleged that CBS Studios had compiled 50 pages of statements she made that they deemed “dangerous”. Ultimately, Olsen decided she wanted no part of a “woke Brady Bunch”.

So what else do we know about Susan Olsen?

Why did she quit acting at 23?

Susan Olsen played Cindy Brady in The Brady Bunch. Photo: @thesusanolsen/Instagram

Olsen’s memorable stint as Cindy Brady may have shot her to fame (although she reportedly didn’t enjoy the attention) but it also held her back. She studied at the renowned American Academy of Dramatic Arts in hopes of continuing her acting career, but was typecast and, at 23, decided to quit acting, per Remind magazine.

Over 10 years, she worked as a graphic designer, was briefly in a rock band, dabbled in DJing, and landed gigs as a radio show host. She now teaches acting.

She grew marijuana

Susan Olsen admitted to growing marijuana with her ex-husband. Photo: @thesusanolsen/Instagram

Olsen revealed in a 2015 interview with News.com.au that she illegally grew marijuana with one of her ex-husbands (she didn’t say which one). “I have never really enjoyed smoking it; it makes me paranoid … but it was my husband’s idea,” she said. “I’ve always been into ‘gardening’ and it’s such a complicated, wonderfully fascinating plant.” Olsen also shared that it was the burden of breaking the law that led her to divorce that particular ex-husband.

Is Susan Olsen currently married?

Susan Olsen has a son, Michael, with her ex Mitch Markwell. Photo: @thesusanolsen/Instagram

Olsen has been married three times. She was married to Steve Ventimiglia from 1988 to 1990, and to Mitch Markwell from 1995 to 2004, per IMDB. Her second marriage produced a son, Michael, named for Mike Lookinland, aka Bobby Brady, Olsen’s brother on The Brady Bunch. Michael is on the autism spectrum. Olsen is now married to comedian Chris Fonseca.