Ann B. Davis, who famously played housekeeper Alice Nelson on The Brady Bunch, died Sunday. She was 88.

Ann B. Davis Dies

Davis’ death was a result of complications stemming from a fall. The actress hit her head, suffered a subdural hematoma and never regained consciousness, Bishop William Frey told CNN. She died at a San Antonio, Tex., hospital.

Davis had her breakout role in 1950s sitcom The Bob Cummings Show in which she played the secretary Charmaine "Schultzy" Schultz. Her work in the role earned her a pair of Emmy awards and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She subsequently appeared on The John Forsythe Show and feature films All Hands on Deck and Lover Come Back.

In 1969, Davis landed the role of Alice on The Brady Bunch. Throughout the family series' run that went until 1974, Davis’ character was a large part of the show. Even in the opening credits, amidst the images of Greg, Bobby, Peter, Marcia, Jan, Cindy and parents Mike and Carol, was a smiling Alice. In the episodes, Alice often resolved conflicts between the kids and the parents with humor or some sage advice.

"I made up a background story. I did have a twin sister, so I used that as a basis…. I cared very much about this family,” Davis told the Archive of American Television in 2004. “It was my family. It was as close to my family as Alice would ever get. I would have died for any single one of them at any point. You know, they wrote me such gorgeous things to do, as the intermediary between the kids and the adults, and between the boys and the girls. And they gave me funny things to do."

Among her former cast mates mourning her passing is Florence Henderson, who played Carol on the popular show. Henderson, who’d remained close with Davis, shared her sorrow on Facebook.

“I am so shocked and sad to learn that my dear friend and colleague, Ann B Davis, died today,” said Henderson. “I spoke with her a couple of months ago and she was doing great!”

Davis is survived by her twin sister Harriet.

Leave a comment

Read more about: