R.I.P. Florence Henderson, beloved mom of 'The Brady Bunch'

The actress died on Thanksgiving at the age of 82.

Top image: AP Photo

Before becoming Carol Brady, the all-American mother of six, Florence Henderson had accomplished much. The Broadway star became the first woman to guest host The Tonight Show in 1962, in the transition period between Paar and Carson.

On the theatrical stage, the Indiana native headlined as the original lead in the musical Fanny. In 1969, after appearing in a handful of Oldsmobile commercials, Henderson landed her first major TV role, portraying the mother of three girls — Marcia, Jan and Cindy — who marries a widowed father of three boys. The role of Carol Brady had originally been offered to her best friend, Shirley Jones, who turned down the job. Of course, Jones would soon become an iconic small screen mom herself on The Partridge Family.

On Thursday, November 24, the longtime actress passed away. She was 82. Her sudden death was confirmed by her publicist, according to The New York Times.

Mere weeks earlier, Henderson had attended a taping of Dancing with the Stars, to support her former onscreen daughter, Maureen McCormick. Henderson herself had appeared on the dance competition series in 2010.

On Twitter, McCormick wrote: "Florence Henderson was a dear friend for so very many years & in my

She will be missed by all. What is your favorite Carol Brady moment?

MeTV will pay tribute to the late, great actress on Sunday, December 4, at 12PM | 11C by highlighting some of her best episodes of The Brady Bunch.

People we have lost in 2016

BOBBY VEE, TEEN IDOL OF THE 1960S

The "Run to Him" singer died at 73. READ MORE

EDDIE APPLEGATE OF 'THE PATTY DUKE SHOW'

Patty Lane's onscreen boyfriend died at 81. READ MORE

GARRY MARSHALL

The creator of Happy Days and Laverne & Shirley passed away at 81. READ MORE

Top image: AP Photo / Nick Ut

PATTY DUKE

Patty Duke, the award-winning actress best known for playing cousins on her eponymous TV show in the 1960s, passed away at the age of 69. READ MORE

Image: Everett Collection

BETH HOWLAND FROM 'ALICE'

Beth Howland, best known as the klutzy waitress Vera Louise Gorman on the hit '70s sitcom Alice, passed away on New Year's Eve at the age of 74. Her death was reported months later. READ MORE

Image: The Everett Collection

MIKE MINOR OF 'PETTICOAT JUNCTION'

The character of Steve Elliott crashed into Petticoat Junction at the start of season four — literally. The pilot played by Mike Minor wrecked his biplane next to the train tracks as the three girls were bathing in their water tower. READ MORE

WILLIAM SCHALLERT OF 'THE PATTY DUKE SHOW'

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Image: The Everett Collection

ROBERT HORTON OF 'WAGON TRAIN'

Robert Horton, who played Flint McCullough in the popular Western series Wagon Train, passed away at the age of 91. READ MORE

Image: AP Photo

JACK RILEY OF 'THE BOB NEWHART SHOW' AND 'RUGRATS'

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ANN MORGAN GUILBERT OF 'THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW'

Ann Morgan Guilbert, known for her memorable roles on The Dick Van Dyke Show and The Nanny, and seen recently on CBS' Life in Pieces, died at age 87. READ MORE

Image: The Everett Collection

RONNIE CLAIRE EDWARDS OF 'THE WALTONS'

Ronnie Claire Edwards, best known as Corabeth Walton on The Waltons, died at the age of 83. READ MORE

Image: Warner Bros. Television

THERESA SALDANA FROM 'THE COMMISH'

Theresa Saldana, best known for playing the commissioner's wife on the '90s cop drama The Commish, passed away at the age of 61. READ MORE

Image: The Everett Collection

FRANK SINATRA, JR.

The son of Ol' Blue Eyes passed away at 72. READ MORE

Image: AP Photo

EARL HAMNER, JR., CREATOR OF 'THE WALTONS' AND 'FALCON CREST'

Earl Hamner, Jr., best known for creating the popular television series The Waltons, passed away at the age of 92. READ MORE

Image: The Everett Collection

ALAN YOUNG OF 'MR. ED'

Wilbur from Mr. Ed was the voice behind some of our favorite animated characters. READ MORE

Image: Associated Press

BUCK KARTALIAN FROM 'PLANET OF THE APES'

Buck Kartalian, best known for his role as Julius in the original Planet of the Apes film, passed away at the age of 93. READ MORE

Images: 20th Century Fox, MGM

MICHU MESZAROS OF 'ALF'

Michu Meszaro, the 2-foot-9-inch man who once portrayed ALF, died at the age of 76. READ MORE

Image: Warner Bros. Television

JOE SANTOS OF 'THE ROCKFORD FILES'

Joe Santos, best known as Sergeant Dennis Becker on the drama series The Rockford Files, passed away at the age of 84. READ MORE

DORIS ROBERTS, 'RAYMOND' MOM AND 'REMINGTON STEELE' STAR

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Image: AP Photo/Laura Rauch

JANET WALDO, VOICE OF JUDY JETSON ON 'THE JETSONS'

Janet Waldo, who entertained children and adults alike as the voice of Judy Jetson on the animated series The Jetsons, died at the age of 96. READ MORE

Images: center, the Everett Collection; animation, Hanna-Barbera

PETER BROWN, STAR OF 'LAWMAN,' 'LAREDO' AND SOAPS

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Image: Brown on Lawman, Wikimedia Commons

MADELEINE SHERWOOD, MOTHER SUPERIOR ON 'THE FLYING NUN'

Sherwood portrayed Reverend Mother Superior Placido on The Flying Nun. She passed at the age of 93. READ MORE

Image: Sony Pictures Television

GEORGE KENNEDY, STAR OF 'COOL HAND LUKE,' 'AIRPORT' AND 'THE NAKED GUN'

George Kennedy, who won an Academy Award for his role alongside Paul Newman in 1967's Cool Hand Luke, passed away in Boise, Idaho. He was 91. READ MORE

Image: AP Photo

MARTIN E. BROOKS OF 'THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN' AND 'HUNTER'

In 1977, Martin E. Brooks accomplished what no other actor had at that point — he appeared as the same character on two different television networks. READ MORE

SYLVIA ANDERSON, CO-CREATOR OF 'THUNDERBIRDS' AND 'SPACE: 1999'

Co-creator and puppeteer of Thunderbirds, Anderson died at her home at the age of 88. READ MORE

Image: AP Photo / LYNNE SLADKY

RICHARD DAVALOS OF 'EAST OF EDEN'

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Image: The Everett Collection

GEORGE GAYNES OF 'POLICE ACADEMY' AND 'PUNKY BREWSTER'

George Gaynes, the star of cult '80s classics like Punky Brewster and Police Academy, died at the age of 98. READ MORE

Image: Warner Bros. Pictures

GARRY SHANDLING, COMIC AND STAR OF 'THE LARRY SANDERS SHOW'

The legendary comedian died at the age of 66. READ MORE

Image: The Everett Collection 

RET TURNER, EMMY-WINNING COSTUME DESIGNER FOR CAROL BURNETT AND CHER

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Image: Lucille Ball Comedy Festival

JOE ALASKEY, VOICE OF BUGS BUNNY AND DAFFY DUCK

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Image: IMDB

KEN HOWARD, STAR OF 'THE WHITE SHADOW'

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Image: AP Photo/Lee Celano

PAT HARRINGTON, JR. OF 'ONE DAY AT A TIME'

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Image: Sony Pictures Television

GARY DUBIN, STAR OF 'THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY'

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JAMES NOBLE OF 'BENSON'

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Image: The Everett Collection

STUART NISBET, WHO APPEARED IN (ALMOST) EVERY TV SHOW

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FYVUSH FINKEL OF 'PICKET FENCES'

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BARRY JENNER OF 'FAMILY MATTERS' AND 'STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE'

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MARVIN KAPLAN OF 'ALICE' AND 'TOP CAT'

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HUGH O'BRIAN OF 'THE LIFE AND LEGEND OF WYATT EARP'

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WAYNE ROGERS, TRAPPER JOHN OF 'M*A*S*H'

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  • BOBBY VEE, TEEN IDOL OF THE 1960S
  • EDDIE APPLEGATE OF 'THE PATTY DUKE SHOW'
  • GARRY MARSHALL
  • PATTY DUKE
  • BETH HOWLAND FROM 'ALICE'
  • MIKE MINOR OF 'PETTICOAT JUNCTION'
  • WILLIAM SCHALLERT OF 'THE PATTY DUKE SHOW'
  • ROBERT HORTON OF 'WAGON TRAIN'
  • JACK RILEY OF 'THE BOB NEWHART SHOW' AND 'RUGRATS'
  • ANN MORGAN GUILBERT OF 'THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW'
  • RONNIE CLAIRE EDWARDS OF 'THE WALTONS'
  • THERESA SALDANA FROM 'THE COMMISH'
  • FRANK SINATRA, JR.
  • EARL HAMNER, JR., CREATOR OF 'THE WALTONS' AND 'FALCON CREST'
  • ALAN YOUNG OF 'MR. ED'
  • BUCK KARTALIAN FROM 'PLANET OF THE APES'
  • MICHU MESZAROS OF 'ALF'
  • JOE SANTOS OF 'THE ROCKFORD FILES'
  • DORIS ROBERTS, 'RAYMOND' MOM AND 'REMINGTON STEELE' STAR
  • JANET WALDO, VOICE OF JUDY JETSON ON 'THE JETSONS'
  • PETER BROWN, STAR OF 'LAWMAN,' 'LAREDO' AND SOAPS
  • MADELEINE SHERWOOD, MOTHER SUPERIOR ON 'THE FLYING NUN'
  • GEORGE KENNEDY, STAR OF 'COOL HAND LUKE,' 'AIRPORT' AND 'THE NAKED GUN'
  • MARTIN E. BROOKS OF 'THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN' AND 'HUNTER'
  • SYLVIA ANDERSON, CO-CREATOR OF 'THUNDERBIRDS' AND 'SPACE: 1999'
  • RICHARD DAVALOS OF 'EAST OF EDEN'
  • GEORGE GAYNES OF 'POLICE ACADEMY' AND 'PUNKY BREWSTER'
  • GARRY SHANDLING, COMIC AND STAR OF 'THE LARRY SANDERS SHOW'
  • RET TURNER, EMMY-WINNING COSTUME DESIGNER FOR CAROL BURNETT AND CHER
  • JOE ALASKEY, VOICE OF BUGS BUNNY AND DAFFY DUCK
  • KEN HOWARD, STAR OF 'THE WHITE SHADOW'
  • PAT HARRINGTON, JR. OF 'ONE DAY AT A TIME'
  • GARY DUBIN, STAR OF 'THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY'
  • JAMES NOBLE OF 'BENSON'
  • STUART NISBET, WHO APPEARED IN (ALMOST) EVERY TV SHOW
  • FYVUSH FINKEL OF 'PICKET FENCES'
  • BARRY JENNER OF 'FAMILY MATTERS' AND 'STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE'
  • MARVIN KAPLAN OF 'ALICE' AND 'TOP CAT'
  • HUGH O'BRIAN OF 'THE LIFE AND LEGEND OF WYATT EARP'
  • WAYNE ROGERS, TRAPPER JOHN OF 'M*A*S*H'
  • BOBBY VEE, TEEN IDOL OF THE 1960S
  • EDDIE APPLEGATE OF 'THE PATTY DUKE SHOW'
  • GARRY MARSHALL
  • PATTY DUKE
  • BETH HOWLAND FROM 'ALICE'
  • MIKE MINOR OF 'PETTICOAT JUNCTION'
  • WILLIAM SCHALLERT OF 'THE PATTY DUKE SHOW'
  • ROBERT HORTON OF 'WAGON TRAIN'
  • JACK RILEY OF 'THE BOB NEWHART SHOW' AND 'RUGRATS'
  • ANN MORGAN GUILBERT OF 'THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW'
  • RONNIE CLAIRE EDWARDS OF 'THE WALTONS'
  • THERESA SALDANA FROM 'THE COMMISH'
  • FRANK SINATRA, JR.
  • EARL HAMNER, JR., CREATOR OF 'THE WALTONS' AND 'FALCON CREST'
  • ALAN YOUNG OF 'MR. ED'
  • BUCK KARTALIAN FROM 'PLANET OF THE APES'
  • MICHU MESZAROS OF 'ALF'
  • JOE SANTOS OF 'THE ROCKFORD FILES'
  • DORIS ROBERTS, 'RAYMOND' MOM AND 'REMINGTON STEELE' STAR
  • JANET WALDO, VOICE OF JUDY JETSON ON 'THE JETSONS'
  • PETER BROWN, STAR OF 'LAWMAN,' 'LAREDO' AND SOAPS
  • MADELEINE SHERWOOD, MOTHER SUPERIOR ON 'THE FLYING NUN'
  • GEORGE KENNEDY, STAR OF 'COOL HAND LUKE,' 'AIRPORT' AND 'THE NAKED GUN'
  • MARTIN E. BROOKS OF 'THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN' AND 'HUNTER'
  • SYLVIA ANDERSON, CO-CREATOR OF 'THUNDERBIRDS' AND 'SPACE: 1999'
  • RICHARD DAVALOS OF 'EAST OF EDEN'
  • GEORGE GAYNES OF 'POLICE ACADEMY' AND 'PUNKY BREWSTER'
  • GARRY SHANDLING, COMIC AND STAR OF 'THE LARRY SANDERS SHOW'
  • RET TURNER, EMMY-WINNING COSTUME DESIGNER FOR CAROL BURNETT AND CHER
  • JOE ALASKEY, VOICE OF BUGS BUNNY AND DAFFY DUCK
  • KEN HOWARD, STAR OF 'THE WHITE SHADOW'
  • PAT HARRINGTON, JR. OF 'ONE DAY AT A TIME'
  • GARY DUBIN, STAR OF 'THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY'
  • JAMES NOBLE OF 'BENSON'
  • STUART NISBET, WHO APPEARED IN (ALMOST) EVERY TV SHOW
  • FYVUSH FINKEL OF 'PICKET FENCES'
  • BARRY JENNER OF 'FAMILY MATTERS' AND 'STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE'
  • MARVIN KAPLAN OF 'ALICE' AND 'TOP CAT'
  • HUGH O'BRIAN OF 'THE LIFE AND LEGEND OF WYATT EARP'
  • WAYNE ROGERS, TRAPPER JOHN OF 'M*A*S*H'

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