'I can’t escape it': Eve Plumb on trying to get work in Hollywood after playing Jan on The Brady Bunch

Eve Plumb loves her legacy as Jan Brady, but she can play plenty of other roles.

'I'll always be Jan Brady to so many people,' the 59-year-old Burbank native told Closer Weekly Thursday. 'I can’t escape it, but I can do other things.'

The veteran actress opened up about her successful Hollywood career, which she launched in 1965 on the TV show My Brother the Angel.

Embracing her legacy: Eve Plumb, 59, said of her legacy of her years on The Brady Bunch, 'I'll always be Jan Brady to so many people'
Embracing her legacy: Eve Plumb, 59, said of her legacy of her years on The Brady Bunch, 'I'll always be Jan Brady to so many people'

Embracing her legacy: Eve Plumb, 59, said of her legacy of her years on The Brady Bunch, 'I'll always be Jan Brady to so many people'

'It just happened. A children’s agent moved next door to me when I was a kid and I got a commercial, then I kept getting more,' she said. 'I shot TV pilots, appeared on The Big Valley, then Lassie, then The Brady Bunch came.'

Eve, who was on The Brady Bunch for its 1969-1974 run, as well as spin-offs including 1981's The Brady Brides and 1990's The Bradys, opened up on the tough transition many young performers experience in Tinseltown.

 Did you know? During her stint on The Brady Bunch, Eve auditioned to play the role that eventually went to Linda Blair in 1973's The Exorcist

 Did you know? During her stint on The Brady Bunch, Eve auditioned to play the role that eventually went to Linda Blair in 1973's The Exorcist

It's a story: The Brady Bunch remains a TV classic for its tidy storytelling and family humor

It's a story: The Brady Bunch remains a TV classic for its tidy storytelling and family humor

Fingers crossed: Eve played Jan on five years of The Brady Bunch, in addition to spin-offs and TV movies the show later spawned

Fingers crossed: Eve played Jan on five years of The Brady Bunch, in addition to spin-offs and TV movies the show later spawned

'I had so much success as a child, but once you age out of being the cute kid, then what? If you’re not ready for it, it can be very difficult,' she said.

She praised her parents for having her best interests at heart throughout: 'My father ran my career and invested my money very well. My mother was with me on set every day. They never took a cent from me!'

Eve, who's been seen in recent years on TV shows such as The Path, Blue Bloods and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, said she'll 'audition for anything' and 'whatever comes [her] way.'

Envy: On the show, Jan Brady (middle) often found herself in the shadow of her older sister Marcia, played by Maureen McCormick (R). Susan Olsen (L) played Cindy Brady, the youngest sister 

Envy: On the show, Jan Brady (middle) often found herself in the shadow of her older sister Marcia, played by Maureen McCormick (R). Susan Olsen (L) played Cindy Brady, the youngest sister 

Out and about: Plumb was snapped at the Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2 after-party in NYC earlier this month 

Out and about: Plumb was snapped at the Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2 after-party in NYC earlier this month 

She said she doesn't have any issue with people recognizing her as her Brady Bunch alter ego, saying it's 'fine' if it helps get her foot 'in the door' for other projects.

'If you’re surprised to learn I can do other things, then great,' she said, joking, 'Isn’t [Jan] dead yet?'

Eve's full interview, including details of her 22-year marriage to Ken Pace, is in the latest issue of Closer Weekly, on newsstands now.

On set: Eve and Donnie Wahlberg shared a snap during her appearance on Blue Bloods this year

On set: Eve and Donnie Wahlberg shared a snap during her appearance on Blue Bloods this year

 

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Eve Plumb on career after playing The Brady Bunch's Jan

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