'Brady Bunch' and Child Star Actress Debi Storm has No Career Regrets - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 03-19-2008, 08:17 PM

Link

Actress Debi Storm has her very own moment in TV pop culture history.

Though Storm has played in many films and starred on a variety of television series, ranging from "Dr. Kildare," "The Big Valley" and "Green Acres" to "Dallas" and "The Fugitive," it's her guest-starring role 35 years ago on a March 3, 1972, episode of "The Brady Bunch" titled "My Fair Competition" that often attracts the most attention.

Storm played a "plane Jane" named Molly Webber, a young high school friend of oldest Brady daughter Marcia. When the school students play a joke by nominating "unpopular" Molly to be the school hostess at a dance function, Marcia decides to help her friend's self-esteem by transforming Molly into a vision of beauty, with new clothes, fluffy hair and sans her Coke-bottle glasses.

After tasting the sweet lure of being popular, Molly's ego swells so much, she begins to challenge Marcia's own popularity, informing her: "It doesn't make any difference how I got here Marcia, the point is...I've arrived."

Storm, who was in Chicago over the weekend, chatted with me about the rollercoaster excitement of having a career as a child star.

In fact, it was Storm who originally was hand-picked by "Brady Bunch" producer Sherwood Schwartz to play the long-suffering middle Brady daughter Jan, until he decided to cast all blondes for the roles.

"I had a great time growing up and working in film and television," Storm said.

"I was very fortunate that I had a mother who helped make it such a great experience. It all has to do with the people around you. Don't blame it on the business."

And while working with greats like Bob Hope, Phyllis Diller and Jonathan Winters on the 1967 movie "Eight on the Lam," she admits she also faced a few costars on other projects who weren't happy about having to work with kids, such as actors Robert Culp and David Janssen.

"I've talked with so many other actors and actresses who began as child stars, like Todd Bridges from 'Different Strokes' and Lauren Chapin, who played the youngest daughter in the TV series 'Father Knows Best,' " Storm said.

"And their experiences weren't' always as positive as what I encountered while growing up on a set. I feel very grateful to have worked so long in this business and worked with so many greats from TV and film."

AB · 03-20-2008, 04:17 PM

Nice Story!

Ireneparalegal · 03-20-2008, 05:07 PM

Didn't her husband post on the BB board here and provide family pics of her? I am sure of that.

snl 70s show fan · 03-21-2008, 03:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

Didn't her husband post on the BB board here and provide family pics of her? I am sure of that.

he sure did

Tweety · 03-22-2008, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

Didn't her husband post on the BB board here and provide family pics of her? I am sure of that.

Yes, as I recall, they own a BBQ restaurant somewhere in the Orlando, Florida area... One of these days I plan on finding the place, but I've only been to Orlando maybe one time since I found out about that, but didn't have time for any side trips.

Ireneparalegal · 03-22-2008, 06:34 PM

I knew my memory wasn't faulty.

Can someone dig up the thread for us here?

Tweety · 03-22-2008, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

I knew my memory wasn't faulty.

Can someone dig up the thread for us here?

Here's the thread started by Debi's husband...

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/...d.php?t=152566

He goes by the screen name of "kirb789" here at S.O.

Wow, that thread started in September of 2005... time does fly!

James · 03-23-2008, 02:01 PM

Tsk tsk, I thought the episode was called "My Fair Opponent."

Ireneparalegal · 03-23-2008, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tweety

Here's the thread started by Debi's husband...

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/...d.php?t=152566

He goes by the screen name of "kirb789" here at S.O.

Wow, that thread started in September of 2005... time does fly!

Thank you.

BarneyFife · 03-23-2008, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tweety

Here's the thread started by Debi's husband...

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/...d.php?t=152566

He goes by the screen name of "kirb789" here at S.O.

Wow, that thread started in September of 2005... time does fly!

Thank You Tweedy for finding that thread for us, that is awesome.

SKay · 03-27-2008, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tweety

Yes, as I recall, they own a BBQ restaurant somewhere in the Orlando, Florida area... One of these days I plan on finding the place, but I've only been to Orlando maybe one time since I found out about that, but didn't have time for any side trips.

I'd like to go there too. I visit an hour or so from Orlando once or twice a year. One of these days . . .

catlover79 · 04-01-2008, 11:22 PM

Very cool story - and thanks for digging up the original thread. I'd never seen it before.

SKay · 06-23-2008, 12:03 AM

I just saw Debi's MySpace page. It lists her as single. Phooey. I was still hoping to visit the restaurant that her husband owned sometime.

James · 06-23-2008, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SKay

I just saw Debi's MySpace page. It lists her as single. Phooey. I was still hoping to visit the restaurant that her husband owned sometime.

I'm confused, SKay. Is "Debi's MySpace page" for another Debi? This is assuming the woman we remember for her role as Molly Weber owns the barbeque restaurant in Orlando with her husband.

SKay · 06-23-2008, 09:25 AM

Sorry I was unclear. The Myspace page is for the same Debi. I am guessing that she and "Kirby" are divorced, and I think he is the one who owned the restaurant. I was hoping to go down there sometime and meet her.

03-19-2008, 08:17 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,339	'Brady Bunch' and Child Star Actress Debi Storm has No Career Regrets Link Actress Debi Storm has her very own moment in TV pop culture history. Though Storm has played in many films and starred on a variety of television series, ranging from "Dr. Kildare," "The Big Valley" and "Green Acres" to "Dallas" and "The Fugitive," it's her guest-starring role 35 years ago on a March 3, 1972, episode of "The Brady Bunch" titled "My Fair Competition" that often attracts the most attention. Storm played a "plane Jane" named Molly Webber, a young high school friend of oldest Brady daughter Marcia. When the school students play a joke by nominating "unpopular" Molly to be the school hostess at a dance function, Marcia decides to help her friend's self-esteem by transforming Molly into a vision of beauty, with new clothes, fluffy hair and sans her Coke-bottle glasses. After tasting the sweet lure of being popular, Molly's ego swells so much, she begins to challenge Marcia's own popularity, informing her: "It doesn't make any difference how I got here Marcia, the point is...I've arrived." Storm, who was in Chicago over the weekend, chatted with me about the rollercoaster excitement of having a career as a child star. In fact, it was Storm who originally was hand-picked by "Brady Bunch" producer Sherwood Schwartz to play the long-suffering middle Brady daughter Jan, until he decided to cast all blondes for the roles. "I had a great time growing up and working in film and television," Storm said. "I was very fortunate that I had a mother who helped make it such a great experience. It all has to do with the people around you. Don't blame it on the business." And while working with greats like Bob Hope, Phyllis Diller and Jonathan Winters on the 1967 movie "Eight on the Lam," she admits she also faced a few costars on other projects who weren't happy about having to work with kids, such as actors Robert Culp and David Janssen. "I've talked with so many other actors and actresses who began as child stars, like Todd Bridges from 'Different Strokes' and Lauren Chapin, who played the youngest daughter in the TV series 'Father Knows Best,' " Storm said. "And their experiences weren't' always as positive as what I encountered while growing up on a set. I feel very grateful to have worked so long in this business and worked with so many greats from TV and film."
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

03-20-2008, 05:07 PM	#3
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,689	Didn't her husband post on the BB board here and provide family pics of her? I am sure of that.
	__________________ DALLAS COWBOYS ARE HERE AT TRAINING CAMP!!!

04-01-2008, 11:22 PM	#12
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Very cool story - and thanks for digging up the original thread. I'd never seen it before.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

03-20-2008, 04:17 PM	#2
AB Member Eternal Member Forum Icon Join Date: Dec 26, 2006 Location: The South Posts: 59,429	Nice Story!

03-22-2008, 06:34 PM	#6
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,689	I knew my memory wasn't faulty. Can someone dig up the thread for us here?

03-23-2008, 02:01 PM	#8
James Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 07, 2001 Location: Dayton, Ohio, USA Posts: 6,370	Tsk tsk, I thought the episode was called "My Fair Opponent."

06-23-2008, 12:03 AM	#13
SKay Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 27, 2003 Posts: 321	I just saw Debi's MySpace page. It lists her as single. Phooey. I was still hoping to visit the restaurant that her husband owned sometime.

06-23-2008, 09:25 AM	#15
SKay Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 27, 2003 Posts: 321	Sorry I was unclear. The Myspace page is for the same Debi. I am guessing that she and "Kirby" are divorced, and I think he is the one who owned the restaurant. I was hoping to go down there sometime and meet her.