Florence Henderson Genealogy
(aka, Florence Agnes Henderson)Are You Related?

Arguably one of the most famous TV moms of all time, Florence Agnes Henderson was born February 14, 1934, in Dale, Indiana, the youngest of ten children. After high school, she moved to New York City to attend the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Henderson's career began on stage, including South Pacific, Fanny, and the American tour of Oklahoma! She was the first woman to guest host on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and did weather and light news on The Today Show (then called "The Today Girl"). In 1969, Henderson's best friend, actress Shirley Jones, turned down the role of Carol Brady on The Brady Bunch but encouraged Henderson to audition. The show was a great success and ran until 1974, and continues to be one of the main pop culture icons of the '70s. Henderson appeared regularly on Hollywood Squares and The $25,000 Pyramid and co-hosted Later Today. She was spokesperson for Wesson cooking oil, Polident denture cleaner, and Pepsi Twist. Henderson continues to appear regularly as a guest star and guest host on various shows and talk shows, usually as herself, and parodied her role as Carol Brady in The Brady Bunch Movie in 1995.

Florence Henderson's last name, 'Henderson,' is a Scottish name from the personal name Henry, possibly referencing descendants from the Great King Henry. It was first used in the Shetland Islands. Other spellings include "Henreyson," "Henryson," and "MacKendrick." The first Henderson of note to come to America was Alex Henderson in Virginia in 1650.