A Shakpearean and Broadway star. Nomated for numero Emmys. But Ameri never knew "The Brady Bunch" Dad was gay until AIDS took him.
Contents:
- GAY SECRET KILLED BRADY BUNCH DAD SAYS TV DGHTER
- ROBERT {LOR:#595959;FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;FONT-WEIGHT:600;MARG-BOTTOM:0.625REM;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 48REM){{FONT-SIZE:0.875REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.2;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM){{FONT-SIZE:1.25REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.2;}} A{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN-THICKNS:0.0625REM;TEXT-RATN-LOR:HER;TEXT-UNRLE-OFFSET:0.25REM;LOR:HER;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.3S EASE--OUT;TRANSN:ALL 0.3S EASE--OUT;} A:HOVER{LOR:#A00000;TEXT-RATN-LOR:BORR-LK-BODY-HOVER;}AMERIN ACTOR ROBERT REED PLAYED QUTSENTIAL FAY MAN MIKE BRADY THE POPULAR S 'THE BRADY BUNCH' OM 1969 TO {MARG-BOTTOM:0.625REM;PADDG-RIGHT:0.3125REM;LOR:#323232;FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;FONT-SIZE:0.75REM;LE-HEIGHT:1;FONT-WEIGHT:800;} SPAN{LE-HEIGHT:1.6;FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;}{FONT-STYLE:NORMAL;PADDG-RIGHT:0.3125REM;FONT-FAY:RALAS,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;LOR:#323232;FONT-SIZE:0.75REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.3;FONT-WEIGHT:BOLD;TEXT-TRANSFORM:PALIZE;}{DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;MARG-LEFT:0.625REM;FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;FONT-SIZE:0.75REM;LE-HEIGHT:1;FONT-WEIGHT:800;}UPDATED: MAY 26, {DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;}{MARG-BOTTOM:0.9375REM;POSN:RELATIVE;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 64REM){{MAX-WIDTH:LC(100VW - (1REM * 2));MARG-LEFT:1REM;MARG-RIGHT:1REM;} .E152U5OS0{WIDTH:100VW;MARG-LEFT:LC(-1 * 1REM);}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM) AND (MAX-WIDTH: 61.25REM){{MARG-LEFT:TO;MARG-RIGHT:TO;} .E152U5OS0{WIDTH:100VW;MARG-LEFT:LC((100VW - (LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM) - 2 * 1REM)) / -2);}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 61.25REM) AND (MAX-WIDTH: 90REM){{MAX-WIDTH:LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM);MARG-LEFT:LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM) - 1REM - 20.625REM) / 2);PADDG-LEFT:1REM;PADDG-RIGHT:1REM;} .E152U5OS0{WIDTH:100VW;MARG-LEFT:LC(LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM) - 1REM - 20.625REM) / -2) - 1REM);}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 90REM){{MARG-LEFT:LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM)) / 2);MAX-WIDTH:LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM);PADDG-LEFT:1REM;PADDG-RIGHT:1REM;} .E152U5OS0{WIDTH:100VW;MARG-LEFT:LC(LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 + 1REM)) / -2) - LC(2 * 1REM));}[DATA-HAS-SPONSOR] {MARG-LEFT:LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM)) / 4);MARG-RIGHT:LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM)) / 4);}}{JTIFY-SELF:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 48REM){{MARG-LEFT:-50VW;MARG-RIGHT:-50VW;WIDTH:100VW;LEFT:50%;RIGHT:50%;}}{HEIGHT:TO;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 48REM){{MARG:TO LC(50% - 50VW);}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM){{MARG:TO;}}{POSN:RELATIVE;HEIGHT:TO;}{POSN:RELATIVE;--POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:TO;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;HEIGHT:TO;} A{POSN:ABSOLUTE;}{POSN:RELATIVE;WIDTH:100%;HEIGHT:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;VERTIL-ALIGN:TOP;}{BACKGROUND:#C92228;BOTTOM:0;PADDG:.5REM;RIGHT:0;}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 64REM){{PADDG:0.39REM;}}{DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:1REM;WIDTH:1REM;}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 64REM){{WIDTH:1.063REM;HEIGHT:1.063REM;}}{LE-HEIGHT:1;MARG-TOP:0.3125REM;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 73.75REM){{PADDG-LEFT:0.9375REM;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 64REM){{PADDG-LEFT:0;}}{PADDG-RIGHT:0.3125REM;LOR:#595959;FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;FONT-SIZE:0.75REM;LE-HEIGHT:1;FONT-WEIGHT:800;}PHOTO: WALT DISNEY TELEVISN VIA GETTY IMAG PHOTO ARCHIV/WALT DISNEY TELEVISN VIA GETTY {FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-SIZE:1.1875REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.6;PADDG-LEFT:0REM;PADDG-RIGHT:0REM;POSN:RELATIVE;}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM){{PADDG-LEFT:3.5REM;PADDG-RIGHT:3.5REM;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM) AND (MAX-WIDTH: 61.25REM){{MAX-WIDTH:45.25REM;MARG-LEFT:TO;MARG-RIGHT:TO;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 61.25REM){{PADDG-LEFT:0REM;PADDG-RIGHT:0REM;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 73.75REM) AND (MAX-WIDTH: 100REM){{PADDG-LEFT:0REM;PADDG-RIGHT:0REM;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 90REM){{PADDG-LEFT:0REM;PADDG-RIGHT:0REM;}} EM{FONT-STYLE:ALIC;FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;} STRONG{FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-WEIGHT:BOLD;}{CLEAR:BOTH;NTENT:" ";DISPLAY:BLOCK;FONT-SIZE:0.7REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.5REM;HEIGHT:0REM;VISIBILY:HIDN;}{FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-SIZE:1.1875REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.6;} STRONG{FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-WEIGHT:BOLD;} EM{FONT-STYLE:ALIC;FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;}(1932-1992){LOR:#323232;FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;FONT-WEIGHT:800;LETTER-SPACG:0.02EM;MARG-BOTTOM:0.625REM;MARG-TOP:0.625REM;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 48REM){{FONT-SIZE:1.875REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.1;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM){{FONT-SIZE:2REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.1;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 64REM){{FONT-SIZE:2REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.1;}} B, STRONG{FONT-FAY:HER;FONT-WEIGHT:BOLD;} EM, I{FONT-FAY:HER;FONT-STYLE:ALIC;}WHO WAS ROBERT REED?AMERIN ACTOR ROBERT REED STUDIED ACTG AT NORTHWTERN UNIVERSY AND THE ROYAL AMY OF DRAMATIC ARTS LONDON. HE LAND A ROLE THE DRAMATIC TV SERI THE DEFENRS 1961. REED MA HIS BROADWAY BUT THREE YEARS LATER BAREFOOT THE PARK. IN 1969, HE BEGAN HIS N AS QUTSENTIAL FAY MAN MIKE BRADY THE ENDURG S THE BRADY BUNCH. WHILE STILL WORKG ON THE BRADY BUNCH, REED NCURRENTLY ACTED THE L.A-BASED TECTIVE SERI MANNIX. AFTER THE BRADY BUNCH WENT OFF THE AIR, REED TACKLED CRILLY ACCLAIMED ROL THE MISERI RICH MAN, POOR MAN (1976) AND ROOTS (1977). HE REPRISED HIS ROLE OF MIKE BRADY SEVERAL TIM OVER THE YEARS, CLUDG THE BRADY BUNCH VARIETY HOUR THE LATE 1970S AND THE BRADYS 1990.EARLY LIFE AND CAREERBORN JOHN ROBERT RIETZ JR. ON OCTOBER 19, 1932, HIGHLAND PARK, ILLOIS, ACTOR ROBERT REED IS BT REMEMBERED AS ONE OF TELEVISN'S MOST ENARG DADS. HE ORIGALLY ASPIRED TO BE A SER ACTOR BEFORE FDG FAME ON THE FAY S THE BRADY BUNCH. REED STUDIED HIS CRAFT AT NORTHWTERN UNIVERSY. MOVG TO LONDON, ENGLAND, HE ATTEND THE ROYAL AMY OF DRAMATIC ARTS FOR TWO YEARS, TURN VELOPG A PASSN FOR SHAKPEARE. RETURNG TO THE UNED STAT, REED JOED AN OFF-BROADWAY THEATRIL GROUP LLED THE SHAKPEAREWRIGHTS, APPEARG SUCH PLAYS AS ROMEO AND JULIET AND A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM WH THE TROUPE. HE MA HIS BROADWAY BUT 1964, TAKG OVER THE LEADG ROLE OM ROBERT REDFORD THE NEIL SIMON EDY BAREFOOT THE PARK. IN ADDN TO HIS STAGE WORK, REED FOUND SUCCS TV ACTG, MAKG HIS SMALL-SCREEN BUT WH A PART AS A YOUNG ATTORNEY ON THE URTROOM DRAMA THE DEFENRS 1961. REED STAYED WH THE SHOW UNTIL S END 1965. AROUND THE SAME TIME, HE HAD A RECURRG ROLE ON DR. KILDARE. THE ACTOR ALSO MA GUT APPEARANC ON SUCH SHOWS AS IRONSIS.'THE BRADY BUNCH'IN 1969, REED WAS ST AS QUTSENTIAL FAY MAN MIKE BRADY ON THE ENDURG S THE BRADY BUNCH. WH A SYPY — ALBE CHARMG — VIEW OF SUBURBAN FAY LIFE, THE BRADY BUNCH (1969-74) BEME A CULTURAL IN OF THE 1970S. OVER S FIVE-YEAR N, THE POPULARY OF THE SERI SWELLED TO A PHENOMENAL LEVEL, BEG CREASGLY WELL-KNOWN THROUGH RE-NS SYNDITN. BEHD THE SCEN, THOUGH, REED WAS UNHAPPY WH THE SHOW. HE BATTLED WH S CREATOR, SHERWOOD SCHWARTZ, OVER S NTENT. IN A 1983 TERVIEW WH THE ASSOCIATED PRS, REED SAID THAT HE AND SCHWARTZ "FOUGHT OVER THE SCRIPTS," AND THAT HE THOUGHT SCHWARTZ FILLED THE SHOW WH "JT GAG L. THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN WHAT THE BRADY BUNCH WOULD HAVE BEEN IF I HADN'T PROTTED." DPE HIS TRATN WH THE S, REED VELOPED CLOSE NNECTNS WH HIS FELLOW ST MEMBERS: HE TABLISHED A LIFELONG IENDSHIP WH HIS TV WIFE, FLORENCE HENRSON, AND SERVED AS A SURROGATE FATHER FIGURE TO HIS TV CHILDREN, BARRY WILLIAMS, MREEN MCCORMICK, CHRISTOPHER KNIGHT, EVE PLUMB, MIKE LOOKLAND AND SAN OLSEN. WHILE STILL WORKG ON THE BRADY BUNCH, REED APPEARED ON THE L.A.-BASED TECTIVE SERI MANNIX OM 1969 TO 1975. IN HIS ROLE AS THE DOUR LITENANT ADAM TOBIAS, REED WAS PART OF THE ST FOR THE SHOW'S ENTIRE SIX-YEAR N. THE ACTOR NTUED TO FD SUCCS WH TV PROJECTS, MOST NOTABLY THE MISERI RICH MAN, POOR MAN (1976), ROOTS (1977) AND SCPL (1980). REED RECEIVED THREE EMMY AWARD NOMATNS DURG HIS REER, FOR HIS WORK ON ROOTS; RICH MAN, POOR MAN; AND MEDIL CENTER. RETURNG TO THE ROLE THAT MA HIM FAMO, REED PLAYED MIKE BRADY ON THE SHORT-LIVED THE BRADY BUNCH VARIETY HOUR THE LATE 1970S. HE WOULD REPRISE THE ROLE SEVERAL MORE TV MOVI AND SERI OVER THE YEARS.FAL YEARSREED WORKED ON A NUMBER OF TV SERI THE 1980S, CLUDG NURSE AND HUNTER. HE REPRISED HIS ROLE AS MIKE BRADY FOR THE 1990 TV SERI THE BRADYS, BUT THE SHOW FAILED TO FD AN DIENCE. WHILE HIS ACTG ROL TAPERED OFF AROUND THIS TIME, REED FOUND A NEW PASSN AS A DRAMA TEACHER. HE BEGAN TEACHG SHAKPEARE TO STUNTS AT THE UNIVERSY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGEL TOWARD THE END OF HIS LIFE.DEATH REED DIED ON MAY 12, 1992, AT THE AGE OF 59, PASANA, CALIFORNIA. INIALLY ATTRIBUTED TO LON NCER, HIS ATH WAS LATER REVEALED TO HAVE BEEN HASTENED BY AIDS. REED WAS SURVIVED BY HIS DGHTER, KAREN BALDW, OM A SHORT-LIVED MARRIAGE THE 1950S. AS A GAY MAN, REED HAD STGGLED TO HI HIS SEXUALY DURG HIS HOLLYWOOD YEARS. "HE WAS AN UNHAPPY PERSON," FLORENCE HENRSON SAID. "I THK HAD BOB NOT BEEN FORCED TO LIVE THIS DOUBLE LIFE, I THK WOULD HAVE DISSIPATED A LOT OF THAT ANGER AND TRATN."{BORR:0;BORR-BOTTOM:TH SOLID BLACK;MARG:1.875REM 0;CLEAR:BOTH;}QUICK FACTS
- ROBERT REED: GAY ACTOR + 25 FACTS YOU PROBABLY NEVER KNEW
- KIDS REMEMBER SHERWOOD SCHWARTZ; DISPEL RUMORS ABOUT GAY DAD
GAY SECRET KILLED BRADY BUNCH DAD SAYS TV DGHTER
Reed kept a secret that he was gay until he died 1992.
ROBERT {LOR:#595959;FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;FONT-WEIGHT:600;MARG-BOTTOM:0.625REM;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 48REM){{FONT-SIZE:0.875REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.2;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM){{FONT-SIZE:1.25REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.2;}} A{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN-THICKNS:0.0625REM;TEXT-RATN-LOR:HER;TEXT-UNRLE-OFFSET:0.25REM;LOR:HER;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.3S EASE--OUT;TRANSN:ALL 0.3S EASE--OUT;} A:HOVER{LOR:#A00000;TEXT-RATN-LOR:BORR-LK-BODY-HOVER;}AMERIN ACTOR ROBERT REED PLAYED QUTSENTIAL FAY MAN MIKE BRADY THE POPULAR S 'THE BRADY BUNCH' OM 1969 TO {MARG-BOTTOM:0.625REM;PADDG-RIGHT:0.3125REM;LOR:#323232;FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;FONT-SIZE:0.75REM;LE-HEIGHT:1;FONT-WEIGHT:800;} SPAN{LE-HEIGHT:1.6;FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;}{FONT-STYLE:NORMAL;PADDG-RIGHT:0.3125REM;FONT-FAY:RALAS,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;LOR:#323232;FONT-SIZE:0.75REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.3;FONT-WEIGHT:BOLD;TEXT-TRANSFORM:PALIZE;}{DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;MARG-LEFT:0.625REM;FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;FONT-SIZE:0.75REM;LE-HEIGHT:1;FONT-WEIGHT:800;}UPDATED: MAY 26, {DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;}{MARG-BOTTOM:0.9375REM;POSN:RELATIVE;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 64REM){{MAX-WIDTH:LC(100VW - (1REM * 2));MARG-LEFT:1REM;MARG-RIGHT:1REM;} .E152U5OS0{WIDTH:100VW;MARG-LEFT:LC(-1 * 1REM);}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM) AND (MAX-WIDTH: 61.25REM){{MARG-LEFT:TO;MARG-RIGHT:TO;} .E152U5OS0{WIDTH:100VW;MARG-LEFT:LC((100VW - (LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM) - 2 * 1REM)) / -2);}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 61.25REM) AND (MAX-WIDTH: 90REM){{MAX-WIDTH:LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM);MARG-LEFT:LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM) - 1REM - 20.625REM) / 2);PADDG-LEFT:1REM;PADDG-RIGHT:1REM;} .E152U5OS0{WIDTH:100VW;MARG-LEFT:LC(LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM) - 1REM - 20.625REM) / -2) - 1REM);}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 90REM){{MARG-LEFT:LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM)) / 2);MAX-WIDTH:LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM);PADDG-LEFT:1REM;PADDG-RIGHT:1REM;} .E152U5OS0{WIDTH:100VW;MARG-LEFT:LC(LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 + 1REM)) / -2) - LC(2 * 1REM));}[DATA-HAS-SPONSOR] {MARG-LEFT:LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM)) / 4);MARG-RIGHT:LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM)) / 4);}}{JTIFY-SELF:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 48REM){{MARG-LEFT:-50VW;MARG-RIGHT:-50VW;WIDTH:100VW;LEFT:50%;RIGHT:50%;}}{HEIGHT:TO;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 48REM){{MARG:TO LC(50% - 50VW);}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM){{MARG:TO;}}{POSN:RELATIVE;HEIGHT:TO;}{POSN:RELATIVE;--POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:TO;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;HEIGHT:TO;} A{POSN:ABSOLUTE;}{POSN:RELATIVE;WIDTH:100%;HEIGHT:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;VERTIL-ALIGN:TOP;}{BACKGROUND:#C92228;BOTTOM:0;PADDG:.5REM;RIGHT:0;}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 64REM){{PADDG:0.39REM;}}{DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:1REM;WIDTH:1REM;}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 64REM){{WIDTH:1.063REM;HEIGHT:1.063REM;}}{LE-HEIGHT:1;MARG-TOP:0.3125REM;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 73.75REM){{PADDG-LEFT:0.9375REM;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 64REM){{PADDG-LEFT:0;}}{PADDG-RIGHT:0.3125REM;LOR:#595959;FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;FONT-SIZE:0.75REM;LE-HEIGHT:1;FONT-WEIGHT:800;}PHOTO: WALT DISNEY TELEVISN VIA GETTY IMAG PHOTO ARCHIV/WALT DISNEY TELEVISN VIA GETTY {FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-SIZE:1.1875REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.6;PADDG-LEFT:0REM;PADDG-RIGHT:0REM;POSN:RELATIVE;}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM){{PADDG-LEFT:3.5REM;PADDG-RIGHT:3.5REM;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM) AND (MAX-WIDTH: 61.25REM){{MAX-WIDTH:45.25REM;MARG-LEFT:TO;MARG-RIGHT:TO;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 61.25REM){{PADDG-LEFT:0REM;PADDG-RIGHT:0REM;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 73.75REM) AND (MAX-WIDTH: 100REM){{PADDG-LEFT:0REM;PADDG-RIGHT:0REM;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 90REM){{PADDG-LEFT:0REM;PADDG-RIGHT:0REM;}} EM{FONT-STYLE:ALIC;FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;} STRONG{FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-WEIGHT:BOLD;}{CLEAR:BOTH;NTENT:" ";DISPLAY:BLOCK;FONT-SIZE:0.7REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.5REM;HEIGHT:0REM;VISIBILY:HIDN;}{FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-SIZE:1.1875REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.6;} STRONG{FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-WEIGHT:BOLD;} EM{FONT-STYLE:ALIC;FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;}(1932-1992){LOR:#323232;FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;FONT-WEIGHT:800;LETTER-SPACG:0.02EM;MARG-BOTTOM:0.625REM;MARG-TOP:0.625REM;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 48REM){{FONT-SIZE:1.875REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.1;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM){{FONT-SIZE:2REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.1;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 64REM){{FONT-SIZE:2REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.1;}} B, STRONG{FONT-FAY:HER;FONT-WEIGHT:BOLD;} EM, I{FONT-FAY:HER;FONT-STYLE:ALIC;}WHO WAS ROBERT REED?AMERIN ACTOR ROBERT REED STUDIED ACTG AT NORTHWTERN UNIVERSY AND THE ROYAL AMY OF DRAMATIC ARTS LONDON. HE LAND A ROLE THE DRAMATIC TV SERI THE DEFENRS 1961. REED MA HIS BROADWAY BUT THREE YEARS LATER BAREFOOT THE PARK. IN 1969, HE BEGAN HIS N AS QUTSENTIAL FAY MAN MIKE BRADY THE ENDURG S THE BRADY BUNCH. WHILE STILL WORKG ON THE BRADY BUNCH, REED NCURRENTLY ACTED THE L.A-BASED TECTIVE SERI MANNIX. AFTER THE BRADY BUNCH WENT OFF THE AIR, REED TACKLED CRILLY ACCLAIMED ROL THE MISERI RICH MAN, POOR MAN (1976) AND ROOTS (1977). HE REPRISED HIS ROLE OF MIKE BRADY SEVERAL TIM OVER THE YEARS, CLUDG THE BRADY BUNCH VARIETY HOUR THE LATE 1970S AND THE BRADYS 1990.EARLY LIFE AND CAREERBORN JOHN ROBERT RIETZ JR. ON OCTOBER 19, 1932, HIGHLAND PARK, ILLOIS, ACTOR ROBERT REED IS BT REMEMBERED AS ONE OF TELEVISN'S MOST ENARG DADS. HE ORIGALLY ASPIRED TO BE A SER ACTOR BEFORE FDG FAME ON THE FAY S THE BRADY BUNCH. REED STUDIED HIS CRAFT AT NORTHWTERN UNIVERSY. MOVG TO LONDON, ENGLAND, HE ATTEND THE ROYAL AMY OF DRAMATIC ARTS FOR TWO YEARS, TURN VELOPG A PASSN FOR SHAKPEARE. RETURNG TO THE UNED STAT, REED JOED AN OFF-BROADWAY THEATRIL GROUP LLED THE SHAKPEAREWRIGHTS, APPEARG SUCH PLAYS AS ROMEO AND JULIET AND A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM WH THE TROUPE. HE MA HIS BROADWAY BUT 1964, TAKG OVER THE LEADG ROLE OM ROBERT REDFORD THE NEIL SIMON EDY BAREFOOT THE PARK. IN ADDN TO HIS STAGE WORK, REED FOUND SUCCS TV ACTG, MAKG HIS SMALL-SCREEN BUT WH A PART AS A YOUNG ATTORNEY ON THE URTROOM DRAMA THE DEFENRS 1961. REED STAYED WH THE SHOW UNTIL S END 1965. AROUND THE SAME TIME, HE HAD A RECURRG ROLE ON DR. KILDARE. THE ACTOR ALSO MA GUT APPEARANC ON SUCH SHOWS AS IRONSIS.'THE BRADY BUNCH'IN 1969, REED WAS ST AS QUTSENTIAL FAY MAN MIKE BRADY ON THE ENDURG S THE BRADY BUNCH. WH A SYPY — ALBE CHARMG — VIEW OF SUBURBAN FAY LIFE, THE BRADY BUNCH (1969-74) BEME A CULTURAL IN OF THE 1970S. OVER S FIVE-YEAR N, THE POPULARY OF THE SERI SWELLED TO A PHENOMENAL LEVEL, BEG CREASGLY WELL-KNOWN THROUGH RE-NS SYNDITN. BEHD THE SCEN, THOUGH, REED WAS UNHAPPY WH THE SHOW. HE BATTLED WH S CREATOR, SHERWOOD SCHWARTZ, OVER S NTENT. IN A 1983 TERVIEW WH THE ASSOCIATED PRS, REED SAID THAT HE AND SCHWARTZ "FOUGHT OVER THE SCRIPTS," AND THAT HE THOUGHT SCHWARTZ FILLED THE SHOW WH "JT GAG L. THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN WHAT THE BRADY BUNCH WOULD HAVE BEEN IF I HADN'T PROTTED." DPE HIS TRATN WH THE S, REED VELOPED CLOSE NNECTNS WH HIS FELLOW ST MEMBERS: HE TABLISHED A LIFELONG IENDSHIP WH HIS TV WIFE, FLORENCE HENRSON, AND SERVED AS A SURROGATE FATHER FIGURE TO HIS TV CHILDREN, BARRY WILLIAMS, MREEN MCCORMICK, CHRISTOPHER KNIGHT, EVE PLUMB, MIKE LOOKLAND AND SAN OLSEN. WHILE STILL WORKG ON THE BRADY BUNCH, REED APPEARED ON THE L.A.-BASED TECTIVE SERI MANNIX OM 1969 TO 1975. IN HIS ROLE AS THE DOUR LITENANT ADAM TOBIAS, REED WAS PART OF THE ST FOR THE SHOW'S ENTIRE SIX-YEAR N. THE ACTOR NTUED TO FD SUCCS WH TV PROJECTS, MOST NOTABLY THE MISERI RICH MAN, POOR MAN (1976), ROOTS (1977) AND SCPL (1980). REED RECEIVED THREE EMMY AWARD NOMATNS DURG HIS REER, FOR HIS WORK ON ROOTS; RICH MAN, POOR MAN; AND MEDIL CENTER. RETURNG TO THE ROLE THAT MA HIM FAMO, REED PLAYED MIKE BRADY ON THE SHORT-LIVED THE BRADY BUNCH VARIETY HOUR THE LATE 1970S. HE WOULD REPRISE THE ROLE SEVERAL MORE TV MOVI AND SERI OVER THE YEARS.FAL YEARSREED WORKED ON A NUMBER OF TV SERI THE 1980S, CLUDG NURSE AND HUNTER. HE REPRISED HIS ROLE AS MIKE BRADY FOR THE 1990 TV SERI THE BRADYS, BUT THE SHOW FAILED TO FD AN DIENCE. WHILE HIS ACTG ROL TAPERED OFF AROUND THIS TIME, REED FOUND A NEW PASSN AS A DRAMA TEACHER. HE BEGAN TEACHG SHAKPEARE TO STUNTS AT THE UNIVERSY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGEL TOWARD THE END OF HIS LIFE.DEATH REED DIED ON MAY 12, 1992, AT THE AGE OF 59, PASANA, CALIFORNIA. INIALLY ATTRIBUTED TO LON NCER, HIS ATH WAS LATER REVEALED TO HAVE BEEN HASTENED BY AIDS. REED WAS SURVIVED BY HIS DGHTER, KAREN BALDW, OM A SHORT-LIVED MARRIAGE THE 1950S. AS A GAY MAN, REED HAD STGGLED TO HI HIS SEXUALY DURG HIS HOLLYWOOD YEARS. "HE WAS AN UNHAPPY PERSON," FLORENCE HENRSON SAID. "I THK HAD BOB NOT BEEN FORCED TO LIVE THIS DOUBLE LIFE, I THK WOULD HAVE DISSIPATED A LOT OF THAT ANGER AND TRATN."{BORR:0;BORR-BOTTOM:TH SOLID BLACK;MARG:1.875REM 0;CLEAR:BOTH;}QUICK FACTS
”While homosexualy has been more visible recently on work TV wh shows like Ellen and Will & Grace, when The Brady Bunch first aired 1968, Reed’s sexualy would not have been well received. ”“I don’t thk The Brady Bunch uld have existed at that time wh the public knowg that Robert Reed was gay, ” says Henrson. When you thk back to Mike Brady and his ltle stepdghter Cdy Brady the last thg that to md is the fight for gay marriage equaly.
But today actrs San Olsen, who played the rgleted ltle blon, says that “beg gay killed” her TV dad Robert Reed bee keepg his secret forced him to live an unhappy, unfulfilled life.
Celebs speak out on gay marriage >>.
ROBERT REED: GAY ACTOR + 25 FACTS YOU PROBABLY NEVER KNEW
Olsen posted her support of gay marriage on Facebook, g Reed as an example of what happens when people are treated unequally. “As a child, I was BLESSED to have another father figure my life… So I really n hontly say, my dad was gay, ” she wrote of Reed. “I n also say that beg gay killed him.
KIDS REMEMBER SHERWOOD SCHWARTZ; DISPEL RUMORS ABOUT GAY DAD
What you need to know about the gay marriage bate >>.
The Uned Stat Supreme Court is currently batg the validy of California’s Proposn 8, which banned gay marriag the state after a brief terlu of legaly, and DOMA, a feral law which rtricts natnal marriage benefs and terstate marriage regnn to oppose-sex unns only.
It was later revealed that he had long lived a closeted gay life and was HIV-posive.