Geri Reischl
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Geri Reischl (born on December 31, 1959 in Bellflower, California) is the only daughter of Herbert and Wanda Reischl. She had a successful career as a child actress in the 1970s appearing regularly in commercials, television shows, and feature films. Geri is best remembered for replacing Eve Plumb as Jan Brady on The Brady Bunch Hour in 1976-77.
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[edit] Acting career
Geri's first appearance was at the age of six playing Gretl in a production of The Sound of Music, starring Patrice Munsel, at the Melodyland Theatre in Anaheim, California. There, she was discovered by a talent agent who signed her and got her parts in two commercials. She was then signed to an exclusive contract with Mattel Toys until she was retired in 1971 by the company at the age of 11. During her career Geri appeared in over 40 commercials for almost any product imaginable. From 1979-1983 she appeared in a series of Wizard of Oz themed commercials for the breakfast cereal Crispy Wheats-n-Raisins in which she played Dorothy.
On television Geri appeared on Gunsmoke, The Interns, Apple's Way and The Bold Ones. In addition to her noteworthy role as Jan Brady on The Brady Bunch Hour Geri filmed a television pilot with Rene Simard entitled Rene and the Proteens.
Her feature films include starring roles in The Brotherhood of Satan (1971) and I Dismember Mama (1974).
[edit] Singing career
Geri sang and played guitar in a California band by the name of Sand Dabs from 1974-76. She went on to perform at U.S.O. clubs, Magic Mountain, Knotts Berry Farm, the Harrah's Club, and with Marty Robbins at the Palomino Club of North Hollywood. Geri was one of Sammy Davis Jr.'s "Kids" in his Lake Tahoe night club act, and also performed with Red Skelton. In the summer of 1976, Geri toured the United States and Montreal doing an act with Canadian singing sensation Rene Simard. Because of her interest in country music she made a guest appearance on the show Pop! Goes the Country in 1977 that was filmed at the Grand Ole Opry.
[edit] The Brady Bunch
Geri is forever known as "Fake Jan" for replacing Eve Plumb in nine episodes of the The Brady Bunch Hour during the 1976-77 television season. She was selected from over 1,500 girls, including Kathy Hilton, who auditioned for the role in 1976. She became a member of the famous television family when Eve Plumb refused to appear in a musical revival of the original 1969-74 series. Many people cite Geri's singing and dancing abilities for bringing some substance to a variety show cast with wide ranges of musical talent.
[edit] Where is She Now?
Today, Geri lives in Southern California with her husband, whom she married in 1979. She retired from acting in 1983 to raise a family, and now has two grown children. In recent years Geri has made personal appearances at fundraisers and autograph shows. She currently has a talk show in development with actor Ernest Thomas and comedian Pebbles entitled My P.I.M.P. TV
[edit] External links
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