The actress who was almost a Brady
In short: Before Florence Henderson became the iconic Carol Brady, Joyce Bulifant was the original choice for the role. While she didn't land that specific household name, her career spanned decades of television, film, and a profound personal journey into advocacy for dyslexia.
Joyce Bulifant's career is a masterclass in longevity and versatility within the American entertainment landscape. Born in 1937, she began her journey in dance and theater, eventually becoming a staple of television. She is perhaps most widely recognized for her recurring role as Marie Slaughter on The Mary Tyler Moore Show between 1970 and 1977. Her filmography includes notable appearances in the comedy classic Airplane! (1980) and the Disney live-action feature The Happiest Millionaire.
Beyond her acting credits, Bulifant's life has been marked by significant personal narratives. She was the first wife of James MacArthur, son of the legendary Helen Hayes, and later married four other men, including director William Asher. Her memoir, My Four Hollywood Husbands, provides a candid look at these relationships, specifically addressing the alcoholism of four of her spouses and her own journey through codependency.
In her later years, Bulifant pivoted toward advocacy. After discovering she had dyslexia in her 40s, she became a prominent voice for the community. She founded the Hans Christian Andersen Award to honor individuals with dyslexia who have made significant societal contributions, with recipients including Whoopi Goldberg. This transition from screen icon to dedicated advocate highlights a life defined by both public performance and private resilience.
Her influence extends to various mediums; she has written and performed autobiographical shows regarding her former mother-in-law, Helen Hayes, and has directed by her son, John Asher. From being a frequent game show guest to a serious advocate for child abuse prevention with the nonprofit Childhelp, Bulifant represents a multi-faceted legacy of American artistry.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Joyce Bulifant
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/art-joyce-bulifant.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Film and television · More in Art · Latest · A–Z · All topics
