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Q: PEOPLE MIGHT IMAGINE YOU'RE JEALOUS OF FLORENCE HENDERSON, BUT HOW MANY OF THEM REALIZE YOU TURNED DOWN THE ROLE OF CAROL ANN TYLER MARTIN BRADY, THE MOTHER IN _THE BRADY BUNCH_?__

A: I've known Florence since we were both on Broadway in 1953 or 1954, and I admire her a lot; she's a very talented lady. I took the _Partridge Family_ role because it meant I

would be playing the first working mother ever portrayed on TV. Shirley Jones with her "Partridge Family” cast members. Everett Collection Q: SO _THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY_ CHANGED

TELEVISION? A: Well, it was the start of a new era in television, and what made it notable was that we were a working family. The Partridges took a different look at a mother and family than

 _The Brady Bunch,_ which I turned down because I didn't want to be seen as the mother at home, taking the roast out of the oven. My managers did not want me to take that role in _The

Partridge Family._ They told me, "If you do this series, your movie career will be in the toilet." And they were right, because then I became Mrs. Partridge forever. But I

don't regret it, because I got to stay home and raise my kids. Q: YOU WRITE THAT BURT LANCASTER WAS THE BEST ON-SCREEN KISSER YOU EVER WORKED WITH. WAS HE YOUR FAVORITE LEADING MAN? A: 

Burt got me the role of Lulu Bains in _Elmer Gantry;_ the director, Richard Brooks, did not want me, but Burt was co-producing with him, so Burt won out. Burt had me come to the set every

day to watch the shoot as it progressed. He was my mentor in getting me the career that I've had. Q: ANY CAREER ADVICE FOR ACTRESSES OVER 50 TODAY? A: It's not easy, but because

people are living longer — and thanks to success stories like Betty White — they are writing more parts for older people now. We need every age group to be [portrayed] in a film or TV show.

Because that's what the world is about — it's not just teenagers, it's not just kids; it's grandpas and grandmas, great-grandmas and great-grandpas. In fact I think

I've played a grandma at least three times: in_ Good Luck Charlie, Raising Hope_ and _Hot in Cleveland._ _Allan Fallow, Book Editor for AARP Media, writes on entertainment and lifestyle

topics._