Ann B. Davis, who was best known for playing the housekeeper Alice Nelson on "The Brady Bunch" died Sunday in her home in San Antonio. According to her agent, Robert Malcolm, the 88-year old actress died after failing to regain her consciousness due to a terrible fall; her official cause of death was subdural hematoma. Her household companions at the time of her death included close friend, William Frey, a retired Episcopal bishop and his family. She had lived with the Frey family for the past few years after moving to San Antonio.
Retired-bishop Frey remembered Davis as "a wonderful, smart, funny woman," who pretty much embodied the traits of Alice Nelson, the same Brady Bunch character she is known for. Although she played a principal role in the Emmy-nominated "The Bob Cummings Show", she solidified her career by playing Alice Nelson, the Brady Bunch's wisecracking housekeeper.
The Episcopal communities in Denver, Pennsylvania, and recently, San Antonio have always been close to Davis' heart. Since 1976, she has lived with an Episcopal family in Denver, Pennsylvania, and finally, in San Antonio. Davis immersed herself with regular Bible studies and even volunteered in a homeless shelter in Denver.
Born Ann Bradford Davis, the actress was born on the 5th of May in Schenectady, New York. While studying medicine in the University of Michigan, Davis decided to switch to a drama course and graduated with a degree in 1948. She later performed in stage productions and nightclubs before moving to Los Angeles to pursue acting.
In 1955, she played Charmaine "Shultzy" Schultz on "The Bob Cummings Show," but her award winning performance came with her portrayal of Alice Nelson on the Brady Bunch. The multi-talented artist also dabbled in writing cookbooks and released her first Brady Bunch-themed recipes with "Alice's Brady Bunch Cookbook."
Davis leaves behind no children or known husband.
