Jan From ‘The Brady Bunch’ Is ‘Phenomenal’ With Pixie Cut at 65 & Loves Spouse Who Set Rule Before Proposal
|Eve Plumb, the iconic child star from the hit series “The Brady Bunch,” recently made a public appearance at an event in New York. Now 65, Plumb rose to fame unexpectedly at a young age and later faced challenges in landing acting roles as she grew older. However, she found a new passion and began a successful career as a painter.
Known to many as Jan Brady from “The Brady Bunch,” Plumb became a household name early in life. Reflecting on the start of her career, she never set out to become famous as a child, but living next door to a child agent eventually led her into the entertainment industry.
Eve Plumb began her career doing commercials, which soon led to roles in TV shows like “The Big Valley” and “Lassie.” Her big break came when she was cast as Jan Brady in “The Brady Bunch,” a role that made her one of the most famous child actors of her time.
However, as she grew older, Plumb found it increasingly difficult to secure acting jobs. “Once you age out of being the cute kid, what then? If you’re not ready for it, it can be very difficult,” she admitted.
Fortunately, Plumb had a strong support system that helped her navigate the challenges many child stars face. Her father managed her career, and her mother was always by her side on set. Every penny she earned was either saved or invested by her parents. “They never took a cent from me!” she proudly shared.
After “The Brady Bunch” ended in 1974, finding new roles was tough, but Plumb remained determined. “I will audition for anything,” she recalled.
Although she has long moved on from “The Brady Bunch” and reinvented herself, Plumb understands that, for many fans, she will always be Jan Brady. However, she hopes they recognize that she has much more to offer beyond that iconic role.
In 1972, Eve Plumb was at the height of her fame on “The Brady Bunch” | Source: Getty Images.
After the hit sitcom ended, Plumb’s most notable role was as a teenage prostitute in the 1976 film “Dawn: Portrait of a Teenage Runaway.”
However, in the 1990s, Plumb discovered a new passion for painting and began building a career as an artist, working out of a studio in Laguna Beach.
As an artist, Plumb found a sense of control over her work that she hadn’t experienced as an actress. In acting, she had to wait for roles and hope to be liked by others to get the job. But with painting, she could shape her work and infuse it with her identity. By the time someone saw her art, her mark was already made, and whether they liked it or not was secondary.
One of Plumb’s wisest investments from her childhood earnings was a beach house in Malibu, which she purchased at just 11 years old for $55,300. The bungalow-style home features three bedrooms, 1.75 bathrooms, and, though the decor might be a bit dated, the white wood interior still exudes a tropical charm. The best feature, however, is the direct access to the beach and the stunning views that surround it.
Eve’s Charming Love Story with Ken Pace
Eve Plumb was the first of the “Brady Bunch” kids to get married. She wed Rick Mansfield in 1979, but their marriage was short-lived, ending in 1981.
After her divorce, Plumb decided to take her time with relationships, telling her friends to set her up with people but clarifying that she wasn’t looking for marriage—just a stable relationship.
The actress followed her mother’s advice, which was to reassess a relationship after three months to determine if it was worth pursuing.
Unbeknownst to her, the next man she dated had his own rule—Ken Pace, a business consultant, wouldn’t consider marriage until he had known someone for at least a year.
Plumb appreciated this approach, seeing it as a great way to truly understand each other and their families. The strategy worked, as Plumb and Pace married in 1995 and have been together ever since.
Ironically, their first date foreshadowed the future of their relationship. They met at a coffee shop, a setting that would become symbolic for them. Their shared love for coffee has turned into a cherished tradition, and they continue to bond over freshly brewed cups today.
Their passion for coffee also led them to travel across America and abroad, exploring the best cafes and coffee blends. Each adventure inspired Plumb to capture the moment through oil paintings.
This mutual love for coffee eventually sparked a business idea, leading to the creation of PlumbGoods—a brand that offers a range of products, including bags, wallets, and coffee mugs.
Building on this, Plumb and her husband launched a coffee brand called Happiness Included Coffee. Their blends are named after various terrier breeds they’ve encountered during their travels, reflecting their long-standing affection for Scottie and terrier dogs. The couple even owned a one-eyed terrier mix for nearly two decades.
A few years ago, Plumb landed a role in a Broadway production with no set end date, prompting her and her husband to rent out their home and relocate to New York.
The adventurous couple doesn’t have children, but in an interview, Plumb mentioned that if she were to have children, she would consider adoption, believing that many older children are in need of loving homes.
**Eve Plumb at 65: Still Stunning**
Though Plumb has stepped away from acting, she recently made a public appearance at the “Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies” event in New York.
The actress looked stylish in a pink button-up shirt paired with slacks and Converse sneakers. She completed her look with a white striped blazer, a pink diamond necklace, and a gold watch.
Plumb attended the event with her husband, who was dressed in a black suit with a turtleneck under his jacket. She shared a photo from the event on Instagram, expressing how much fun she had, and fans were amazed at how youthful and beautiful she still looks.
“Is it possible to keep looking better each year?” one netizen gushed. Another fan complimented her short blonde hair, while many others praised Plumb for looking fantastic.
Facebook users echoed these sentiments, with one fan sweetly commenting, “You truly look phenomenal,” and another adding, “Eve, you never age.”
Plumb’s fame from “The Brady Bunch” has never faded. Fans continue to be thrilled to see her as she navigates the various transitions in her life.