| Geri Reischl | |
|---|---|
Reischl in 2011 at the book launch party for Michael Musto's Fork on the Left, Knife in the Back |
|
| Born | Geri Lee Reischl December 31, 1959 Bellflower, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1966-1982 |
Geri Lee Reischl (born December 31, 1959) is an American actress and singer, known for her work as a child actor in the 1970s, most notably on the variety show The Brady Bunch Hour as "fake Jan," and various television commercials.
Contents |
Reischl'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 to 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, Reischl 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.
She went on to star in several low budget splatter films such as The Brotherhood of Satan (1971) and I Dismember Mama (1974).
Reischl is best known for replacing Eve Plumb in nine episodes of the The Brady Bunch Hour during the 1976-77 television season. Her appearances as Jan have been referred to as 'Fake Jan'. She was selected from over 1,500 girls, including Kathy Hilton, who auditioned for the role in 1976 and supposedly came in second place for the part. She became a member of the famous television family when Eve Plumb declined to reprise her role in the "variety show" series.[1][2][3]
Reischl 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. She 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, Reischl 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.