Geri Reischl
| Geri Reischl | |
|---|---|
 September 25, 2011, Boston Harbor, MA | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Geri Lee Reischl |
| Born |
December 31, 1959 Bellflower, California, U.S. |
| Genres | Pop, Country, Adult Contemporary |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, Actor |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1966–1983, 2000–present |
| Associated acts | Marty Robbins, Sammy Davis, Jr., Rene Simard |
| Website | Official Website |
Geri Lee Reischl (born December 31, 1959) is an American actress and singer, known for her work as a child actress in the 1970s, most notably as Jan Brady on the variety show The Brady Bunch Hour and various television commercials.
Acting career
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. 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, Geri filmed a television pilot with Rene Simard entitled Rene and the Proteens. She went on to star in two low budget splatter films: The Brotherhood of Satan (1971) and I Dismember Mama (1974).[1]
The Brady Bunch Variety Hour
Reischl is best known for portraying Jan Brady in nine episodes of The Brady Bunch Hour during the 1976–77 television season.[2] Her appearances as Jan have been referred to as 'Fake Jan'.[3] 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.[4]
After The Brady Bunch Hour, Reischl went back to high school and after graduating she held a job in a doctor's office while continuing to audition. She married in 1979. Reischl was given the role of Blair Warner in the television pilot Garrett's Girls (later renamed The Facts of Life), but was forced to give it up due to her contract with General Mills.[5]
Music career
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.[6]
In the summer of 1976, Reischl toured the United States and Montreal doing an act with Canadian singer René Simard.[7] 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.
Reischl released a re-recording of her Brady Bunch Hour performance of Your Song titled "Fake Jan Sings for Real" on September 25, 2011. A studio album, 1200 Riverside, was released later the same year on November 1.
Discography
Studio albums
- Fake Jan Sings For Real (2011)
- 1200 Riverside (2011)
Filmography
| Year | Name | Role | Other notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | The Interns | Jane Doe | 1 episode, "The Prisoners" |
| 1971 | Gunsmoke | Anne Burney | 1 episode; "Captain Sligo" |
| 1971 | The Brotherhood of Satan | K.T. | |
| 1971 | The Bold Ones: The New Doctors | Lisa | 1 episode; "Glass Cage" |
| 1972 | I Dismember Mama | Annie | |
| 1974 | Apple's Way | Jan Cooper | 1 episode; "The Engagement" |
| 1976-1977 | The Brady Bunch Hour | Jan Brady | 9 episodes |
| 1977 | The Mike Douglas Show | Herself | Episode dated 9 February 1977 |
| 1977 | Donny and Marie | Herself | Episode 14, Season 2 |
| 1977 | Pop! Goes the Country | Herself | Episode 18, Season 4 |
| 1979 | Garrett's Girls | Blair Warner | unaired pilot |
References
- ↑ "About Geri Reischl".
- ↑ "The Fort Scott Tribune". 4 February 1977.
- ↑ Love To Love You Bradys: The Bizarre Story Of The Brady Bunch Variety Hour. ECW Press. 2009. p. 266. ISBN 978-1-55022-888-5.
- ↑ Love To Love You Bradys: The Bizarre Story Of The Brady Bunch Variety Hour. ECW Press. 2009. p. 26. ISBN 978-1-55022-888-5.
- ↑ Love To Love You Bradys: The Bizarre Story Of The Brady Bunch Variety Hour. ECW Press. 2009. p. 267. ISBN 978-1-55022-888-5.
- ↑ "gerireischl.com | About".
- ↑ "Rene Simard plays in Montreal". 4 September 1976.