Barry Williams, the beloved star of The Brady Bunch, has revealed he felt he left the I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! jungle prematurely. The 71-year-old actor expressed his disappointment at his early exit, stating, “I wasn’t ready to go.”
Despite his desire to stay longer in the Australian wilderness, Williams insists he has no regrets about the personal revelations he shared during his time on the show. He candidly admitted, “There are a lot of cameras around but I never really felt on guard. I felt comfortable sharing.” This openness extended to his memories of his time on The Brady Bunch, and he’s confident his former co-stars won’t hold it against him for discussing their youthful dating escapades during the iconic sitcom’s original run from 1969 to 1974.
On-Screen Chemistry and Off-Screen Romance
Williams explained that the audience’s fascination with the genuine bonds formed on The Brady Bunch is understandable. “I think people like to know if what they saw on television with The Brady Bunch is really who we were. Were we faking that and we didn’t genuinely like each other?” he mused. He affirmed the authenticity of the cast’s relationships, noting, “And we did, and that crossed over at times. I was becoming a young man, Maureen McCormick was becoming a young lady…And so, yes, we would go out on dates.”
This connection with Maureen McCormick, who also participated in I’m A Celebrity in 2015, has led Williams to believe that other members of the Brady cast would thrive in the jungle environment. When asked if he’d recommend the experience to his former co-stars, he responded enthusiastically, though with a touch of playful speculation: “I don’t know that Christopher Knight would go in. Mike Lookinland would love to!”
A Return to the Outback and a Helping Hand in Love
Williams is eager to return to Australia, expressing a strong desire to be back Down Under as soon as possible. He revealed, “I’m hopeful that someone is gonna bring me back to Australia, because I’ve got a full dance card of people now and things to do.” He even mentioned a specific invitation from fellow contestant Matt Zukowski. “Matt Zukowski wants me to go out and go clubbing with him,” Williams shared with a laugh. “I can improve his game a little bit if I bring some of my 1980s game. He’s struggling, you know, attracting girls.”
As for his predictions on who will be crowned the winner of the current season, Williams has his money on Concetta Caristo. He described her as having “a very good chance,” noting her unique blend of qualities: “She’s sensitive and shy but she’s a real competitor.”
Post-Jungle Pursuits and a Nod to a Legacy
Since departing the jungle, Barry Williams has been diving into a variety of new projects. His diverse interests include a documentary focusing on wooden rollercoasters. In addition, the iconic Brady Bunch house has recently undergone extensive renovations and is on its way to becoming a national historical landmark, a development Williams plans to mark with guided tours.
Looking further ahead, Williams is anticipating a significant milestone: the 60th anniversary of The Brady Bunch in 2029. He hinted that plans are already in the works to commemorate the show that catapulted him to stardom. “There’s something in the works,” he teased about the upcoming anniversary.
