Tributes are pouring in from Florence Henderson‘s fellow stars, all of whom have heard the story of the lovely lady who became a pop culture icon thanks to one memorable role.
Henderson died Thursday night, surrounded by family and friends at a Los Angeles hospital, at the age of 82. She had not been ill, according to her manager, and in fact had just been in the audience of Dancing With the Stars Monday night to support season 23 contestant Maureen McCormick, who famously played Marcia Brady.
“Florence Henderson was a dear friend for so very many years & in my #RIPFlorence,” McCormick tweeted Thursday evening. “You are in my heart forever Florence,” she added, along with a photo of the two of them from DWTS, TV mother and daughter, still vibrant and both with hair of gold, 42 years later.
Of course many of Henderson’s Hollywood peers took the time to pay tribute to the star of stage and screen, some of whom knew her in life (including a number of members of the DWTS family), while chances are every single one of them had watched and loved her as Carol Brady.
“I don’t wanna believe it’s true but I just saw that#florencehenderson has past away,” Alfonso Ribeiro, who won DWTS two years ago, wrote on Instagram. “I saw her on Monday night at the dwts finale and she looked amazing. I’m so sad tonight to know that one of our tv icons is gone. She was one of the few people that always made me smile just seeing her. I will miss seeing her at dwts. She loved the show the same way I love it. #ripflorencehenderson.”
Here are more of the touching remembrances that have shown up so far:
The lovely Florence Henderson has died. When I came to #DWTS, she said, “Welcome to the club.” Such warmth. A treasure. #RIPFlorence 🙁
— Danica McKellar (@danicamckellar) November 25, 2016
We just lost a legend some one who always remembers everyone’s name, and is one of the sweetest people I know R.I.P #florenceHenderson
— Sasha Farber (@SashaFarber) November 25, 2016
Rest In Peace Florence Henderson, a dear lady with a great sense of humor & a terrific laugh. ‘America’s mom’ has died.
— Larry King (@kingsthings) November 25, 2016
I”m going to miss Florence Henderson so much. I loved her. What a smart, wonderful, kind woman. A good friend.
— Penn Jillette (@pennjillette) November 25, 2016
So sad to hear of Florence Henderson’s passing, I’ll truly miss her. We’d always sit together at @DancingABC, she was such a lovely woman.
— Chaz Bono (@ChazBono) November 25, 2016
I’m deeply saddened by the loss of Florence Henderson. So many of us grew up watching the Brady Bunch! RIP Carol Brady you will be missed🙏🏼
— La Toya Jackson (@latoyajackson) November 25, 2016
The consensus among those who had met Henderson was that she was an incredible person to be around—every bit the joyful presence she radiated on TV.
Florence Henderson was a doll and a dame and funny as hell. RIP
— Michael McKean (@MJMcKean) November 25, 2016
Sad to read about the passing of Florence Henderson, one of the lovliest, most loveable and beloved people in our business
— carl reiner (@carlreiner) November 25, 2016
Henderson appeared in the Michelle Pfeifferrole in Weird Al’s video for his smash-hit “Gangsta’s Paradise” parody “Amish Paradise.”