Barry Williams Looks Back at Life as Greg Brady: "I Had to Accept It"

Barry Williams is speaking out about the process of coming to terms — and ultimately embracing — his legendary portrayal of Greg Brady of The Brady Bunch.
The iconic actor, now 70, joined fellow cast members Christopher Knight, Mike Lookinland, and Susan Olsen for a panel at The Chocolate Expo on Sunday, May 4, at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York. There, he openly discussed how, as a teenager, he had difficulty distinguishing his own identity from his on-screen character.
"It was impossible to keep the two identities separate, so I just meshed them," Williams explained. "And the truth is, there's not that much difference."
He expounded on the parallels between himself and Greg Brady, the oldest of the Brady kids. "I mean, what you see with Greg was a guy that had younger brothers and sisters. I feel like this is my family. You see somebody who's trying to make things work, trying to walk the line, trying to go on, trying to be a good person."
Though there is overlap between character and self, Williams didn't hesitate to identify the more fictional elements of the role — particularly the more dramatic or comedic storylines the show excels at.
"I never played ball in the house once. I never threw a football at my sister's nose," he quipped, alluding to one of the show's greatest moments. "I never lost a driving contest to my sister — that was so scripted. I never would have lost if it weren't in the script," he chuckled.

For enthusiasts, Williams' introspection gives a touching glimpse into the ups and downs of coming of age in the limelight and into the journey towards peace with a legacy that has spanned decades. As The Brady Bunch remains enchanting to audiences both old and new, Williams' identification with Greg Brady remains as vibrant — and genuine — as ever.