LOS ANGELES - Back when Marcia Brady suffered that immortal injury of being hit in the nose with a football, Maureen McCormick was the very embodiment of innocence, which makes the truth about the troubles she would ultimately face in her own life even more shocking.

Today, in “Access Hollywood’s” new interview, we uncover some details on how she fought off drugs, depression and an eating disorder to finally become the woman America always wanted her to be.

In the boxing gym, “Access” host Billy Bush comments on the scene.

“The metaphor is powerful, what we’re doing here today,” he says to Maureen.

“Ah! My nose,” Maureen giggles.

“You get knocked down, you come back and you keep swinging,” Billy notes.

“And you keep fighting,” she replies. “You gotta keep swingin’ and fightin’. You have to.”

At 50, Maureen McCormick is one tough lady making a remarkable rebound after a traumatic year of dealing with the death of her mother and having to put her mentally challenged brother in a home because her elderly father could no longer care for him.

“Spent the day in bed with the covers over my head,” she sighs. “Depression.”

That depression led to a ballooning waistline but Maureen didn’t hide for long.

Maureen hung it all out for the world to see.

“I did ‘Celebrity Fit Club’ — how more humiliating and out there can you get then like going, I mean I felt naked on that show,” she says.

She also rose to the challenge, shedding 35 pounds by kick boxing 5-days-a-week.

But taking off a little extra weight was nothing compared to the demons she had conquered years ago.

“Would you say that you were addicted to cocaine or just did too much for a while?” Billy asks.

“No, I’d say that I was definitely addicted,” she replies noting she did coke everyday.

A cocaine addict for five years, beginning at age 18, Maureen also battled bulimia, and there was more.

“I took diet pills to get skinnier and to stay up and have more energy,” she says.

“Did you have to go to rehab or anything like that or did you just do it yourself,” Billy asks.

“I did go to rehab,” she notes. “Quite a few times.”

Faith in God and a never-say-die spirit helped Maureen survive the dark times. Her candor having the added benefit of bringing her closer to her 17-year-old daughter Natalie.

“And she knows that if she gets into any problems or anything that she can come to me and I’ll help her,” Maureen says. “All I want is the best for her.


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18729012/

Tonight...on a very special episode of Brady Bunch...

Marcia's escalating coke problem tears the family apart...

Can Marcia get clean in time for the square dance on Saturday night?

;)

That might give us a little insight as to why there was Astro turf as a lawn. ;) :lol:

Man, you guys are harsh! :lol: Seriously, I can relate to Maureen and my heart just goes out to her. I've struggled with depression and anorexia in the past, and even took appetite suppressor pills in high school. I think she is very brave to share her story with the public and is doing so with a message of hope. I wish Maureen and her family nothing but the best!! :)

I am still trying to find out when she is appearing on Dr. Phil. Her father and brother are cruel to her.

The only coke problem Marcia Brady would have is if the bubbles went up her nose or she got a case of the hiccups before a date with some dude she had a major crush on.

This is very surprising news. I just never pictured Maureen as a cokehead. I knew she smoked cigarettes, but this is a major revelation. I'm glad she conquered her demons and is honest with her daughter.

If Maureen ever decides to write her autobiography, it will be an interesting read.

Did you know that Maureen was once roommates with Claudia Jennings?

A few years ago, I read an article on Claudia Jennings, the former Playboy Playmate of the Year who once guest-starred in the "Johnny Bravo" episode. She also co-starred with Maureen in a movie called, "Moonshine County Express."

According to the article, and also on an E! biography of Claudia's life, Claudia was a drug user. In the article, it mentioned that Maureen and Claudia were once roommates. At the time, I thought they were an unlikely pair, but now that Maureen has admitted to having a past drug problem during those years, the idea of her and Claudia doesn't seem to absurd. I think the name of the magazine was "Femme Fatales."

Did you know that Maureen was once rommates with Claudia Jennings? A few years ago, I read an article on Claudia Jennings, the former Playboy Playmate of the Year who once guest-starred in the "Johnny Bravo" episode. She also co-starred with Maureen in a movie called, "Moonshine County Express." According to the article, and on an E! biography of Claudia's life, Claudia was into drugs. In the article, it said that Maureen and Claudia were once roommates. I always wondered after reading that magazine if Maureen did drugs with Claudia back then. I think the name of the magazine was "Femme Fatales."

"Marcia Brady" roomates with a Playboy Playmate and drugs...the mind just boggles with all of these put together.