In New Book Actress Eve Plumb Opens Up on 60 Years of Acting, Off Screen Passions, and Life Apart From The Brady Bunch 

Jeff Walker,  Entertainment Writer

More than five decades since the TV show that propelled her into the limelight got cancelled, and America's most adorable middle child exited primetime, actress Eve Plumb offers up 'Happiness Included: Jan Brady and Beyond', an intimate memoir chronicling her 60 plus years in show business. 

Covering 258 pages, including an encouraging foreword by Christopher Knight aka Peter Brady, Plumb takes readers behind the scenes, revisiting with the golden age of 1960's television, where at the tender age of six (circa 1964) she began her journey. Plumb credits her parents for their support, with her father Neely enjoying a successful career with RCA Records, and her mother acting as a caring stage mom.

Four years before she would audition for the role that would follow her a lifetime, Plumb made her mark appearing on the decades top rated westerns, dramas, and sitcoms, all the while filming commercials, including a much coveted Barbie Doll ad. She recalls having fond memories sharing screen time with the hunkiest men on TV at the time, and befriending fellow child actor Jody Whitaker (Family Affair).

However, it was a five year run (1969-74) of 'The Brady Bunch' that brought her and five other unknown child actors overnight attention. Plumb opens up on how she beat out countless others to become Jan, and what it was like growing up on television, adding the not so glamourous side to shooting a show with a limited production budget.

While there are a few juicy tidbits in her book, Plumb doesn't spend exhaustive chapters on the 'The Brady Bunch', nor does she use her book as an exposé to dish dirt on her fellow TV siblings. Apparently holding firm to a pact the six decided early on in their careers.

Although diehard fans realize the family has re-united for several reunions, a decent amount of Plumb's memoir focuses on her life after the 'bunch', thus the remaining 'and beyond' portion in the book. Like many before her, Plumb wasn't set on being typecast, rather deciding to break free of the sugary Jan persona, if she was to extend her acting career.

Having acted for 10 years when the show came to a close, taking on edgier projects was her focus. She recalls additional guest starring spots, portraying characters that made her step outside her comfort zone. As she describes in the book, most of her post Brady career deals with keeping her foot in the door, not turning down work, occasionally having to audition, and facing rejection by one of Broadway's most famed playwrights.

There is life and stories off camera in 'Happiness Included'. A failed first marriage, dating, her love of animals (especially dogs), special bonds she formed with fellow castmates, becoming savvy in real estate, 1980's activism with Hollywood elite, and a new found passion for painting, as well as wedded bliss the second time around and a health scare fill 15 well thought out chapters.

Plumb's autobiography isn't a deep dive. However, she opens up enough about her personal life and struggles, providing fans and casual followers a glimpse of what it takes to survive and or maintain a sense of self in an ever changing entertainment industry. The good, the bad, and the ugly are all on display. Her words could prove inspirational and educational for those early in their acting careers.

'Happiness Included: Jan Brady and Beyond' isn't about Jan or even 'Marcia, Marcia, Marcia'. Rather Plumb's first ever book is simply about the recollections of 'Eve, Eve, Eve', a young girl who dreamed of acting and has kept that dream alive for over 60 years, all the while living life on her own terms.

Eve Plumb's book is available at your favorite local bookstore and through online book sellers. For more visit the publisher at https://www.kensingtonbooks.com/shop/nonfiction/biography-autobiography/happiness-included-9780806545035/?v=0b3b97fa6688