Who Knew? Joyce Bulifant (Marie) Was Almost Carol Brady & Rejected A Pivotal Role....

[Brian Damage]

...on the 'Beverly Hillbillies'

Her biggest career disappointment was not getting the role as Carol Brady in “The Brady Bunch.”

“I was recently divorced with two little children,” recalled Bulifant. “I was already signed and had the wardrobe when I was told I didn't get the job.”

Not getting that pivotal role would have thrown most people, but not Bulifant, whose philosophy has seen her through several long-term marriages that ended, as well as other personal disappointments.

“In life, if someone doesn't want you, why would you want to fight for it?” said Bulifant. “When God closes a door, he opens a window.”

That proved true when Bulifant turned down a role in “The Beverly Hillbillies” after her agent questioned a show that put hillbillies in the posh city.

“That was a good move because I met my (now) husband Roger (Perry) in a pilot I did instead called ‘First Hundred Years' My marriage to Roger has been a dream come true.”

“In the beginning (of my career), I had this agent who told me I had a voice like chicken scratch,” said Bulifant sitting in the restaurant of Marrakesh Country Club, her home for the last four years. “This made me very self-conscious, but thank goodness I never changed the way I talk. It has made me lots of money through the years.”

A petite blond with sparkling blue eyes and that trademark little-girl voice, Bulifant has appeared in numerous television shows from “Perry Mason” to “Just Shoot Me,” several movies, game show celebrity spots and several well-remembered commercials. However, she is probably best identified with her eight-season run in the popular “Mary Tyler Moore Show” as Murray Slaughter's wife, Marie.

“My favorite episode of the show was when my husband, played by Gavin MacLeod, wanted to have another child,” said Bulifant, who is still very close with castmates Betty White, Ed Asner and MacLeod. “Our older daughter was played by Helen Hunt; we ended up adopting a child. It was a great show.”



http://www.mydesert.com/article/2012...-career-family

[PracTz]

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

...on the 'Beverly Hillbillies'

Her biggest career disappointment was not getting the role as Carol Brady in “The Brady Bunch.”

“I was recently divorced with two little children,” recalled Bulifant. “I was already signed and had the wardrobe when I was told I didn't get the job.”

Not getting that pivotal role would have thrown most people, but not Bulifant, whose philosophy has seen her through several long-term marriages that ended, as well as other personal disappointments.

“In life, if someone doesn't want you, why would you want to fight for it?” said Bulifant. “When God closes a door, he opens a window.”

That proved true when Bulifant turned down a role in “The Beverly Hillbillies” after her agent questioned a show that put hillbillies in the posh city.

“That was a good move because I met my (now) husband Roger (Perry) in a pilot I did instead called ‘First Hundred Years' My marriage to Roger has been a dream come true.”

“In the beginning (of my career), I had this agent who told me I had a voice like chicken scratch,” said Bulifant sitting in the restaurant of Marrakesh Country Club, her home for the last four years. “This made me very self-conscious, but thank goodness I never changed the way I talk. It has made me lots of money through the years.”

A petite blond with sparkling blue eyes and that trademark little-girl voice, Bulifant has appeared in numerous television shows from “Perry Mason” to “Just Shoot Me,” several movies, game show celebrity spots and several well-remembered commercials. However, she is probably best identified with her eight-season run in the popular “Mary Tyler Moore Show” as Murray Slaughter's wife, Marie.

“My favorite episode of the show was when my husband, played by Gavin MacLeod, wanted to have another child,” said Bulifant, who is still very close with castmates Betty White, Ed Asner and MacLeod. “Our older daughter was played by Helen Hunt; we ended up adopting a child. It was a great show.”



http://www.mydesert.com/article/2012...-career-family

I always liked her portrayal of Marie and am glad she's doing well now. However; it would be tough to imagine her having to corral those six kids, Mike and Alice believably so it's just as well she didn't play Carol Brady.
Also, she'd have been wrong in "The Beverly Hillbillies" but were they trying to cast her as Ellie Mae or . . .Miss Jane?!

[Brian Damage]

Originally Posted by PracTz

I always liked her portrayal of Marie and am glad she's doing well now. However; it would be tough to imagine her having to corral those six kids, Mike and Alice believably so it's just as well she didn't play Carol Brady.
Also, she'd have been wrong in "The Beverly Hillbillies" but were they trying to cast her as Ellie Mae or . . .Miss Jane?!

Good question, my guess would be the mousy Miss Jane Hathaway, but only Joyce knows for sure. lol

[Reverend Jim]

[McGillicuddy]

Originally Posted by PracTz

I always liked her portrayal of Marie and am glad she's doing well now. However; it would be tough to imagine her having to corral those six kids, Mike and Alice believably so it's just as well she didn't play Carol Brady.
Also, she'd have been wrong in "The Beverly Hillbillies" but were they trying to cast her as Ellie Mae or . . .Miss Jane?!

Maybe they had her in mind for Miss Jane's assistant, Janet, who ended up being played by Sharon Tate!