San Olsen recently posted to her Facebook page a heartfelt open letter about her onscreen Brady Bunch father, Robert Reed, and his stggl as a gay man Hollywood.
Contents:
- 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 {LOR:#323232;MARG-BOTTOM:0.625REM;PADDG-RIGHT:0.3125REM;FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;FONT-SIZE:0.75REM;LE-HEIGHT:1;FONT-WEIGHT:800;} SPAN{FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;LE-HEIGHT:1.6;}{FONT-STYLE:NORMAL;PADDG-RIGHT:0.3125REM;LOR:#323232;FONT-FAY:RALAS,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;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;}}{LOR:#595959;PADDG-RIGHT:0.3125REM;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-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-STYLE:ALIC;} 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;} EM{FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-STYLE:ALIC;} STRONG{FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-WEIGHT:BOLD;}(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
- ‘THE BRADY BUNCH’: FLORENCE HENRSON HELPED ROBERT REED KEEP HIS BIG SECRET OF BEG GAY BY REHEARSG LOVE SCEN
- SAN OLSEN SAYS 'BEG GAY KILLED' HER BRADY BUNCH FATHER ROBERT REED A HEARTFELT ONLE TRIBUTE
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 {LOR:#323232;MARG-BOTTOM:0.625REM;PADDG-RIGHT:0.3125REM;FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;FONT-SIZE:0.75REM;LE-HEIGHT:1;FONT-WEIGHT:800;} SPAN{FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;LE-HEIGHT:1.6;}{FONT-STYLE:NORMAL;PADDG-RIGHT:0.3125REM;LOR:#323232;FONT-FAY:RALAS,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;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;}}{LOR:#595959;PADDG-RIGHT:0.3125REM;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-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-STYLE:ALIC;} 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;} EM{FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-STYLE:ALIC;} STRONG{FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-WEIGHT:BOLD;}(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 lyg on the hospal bed, gravely ill Amerin Actor Robert Reed who kept his gay sexualy a secret all his life, would not attend to any visor except his dghter and a close iend. * robert reed was gay *
As a gay man, Reed had stggled to hi his sexualy durg his Hollywood years.
ROBERT REED: GAY ACTOR + 25 FACTS YOU PROBABLY NEVER KNEW
A Shakpearean and Broadway star. Nomated for numero Emmys. But Ameri never knew "The Brady Bunch" Dad was gay until AIDS took him. * robert reed was gay *
Beg a gay actor. Y – Robert Reed was gay and was pretty much forced to hi his secret bee of the tim he lived .
In an age of same sex marriage, ’s easy today to fet jt how hard was to be a gay actor durg Robert Reed’s time.
The early 1990’s may seem like eons ago terms of gay rights but Reed was as pro-LGBT rights that the tim would allow.
‘THE BRADY BUNCH’: FLORENCE HENRSON HELPED ROBERT REED KEEP HIS BIG SECRET OF BEG GAY BY REHEARSG LOVE SCEN
Reed kept a secret that he was gay until he died 1992. ”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. Reed hid his sexualy om the public for many years even though his -stars knew he was gay. Publicy portra of actor Robert Reed, for the TV Seri, "The Defenrs" | Photo: Getty ImagREED'S SEXUALITY REVEALEDReed managed to keep many aspects of his private life a secret, cludg the fact that he was gay.
Williams felt if was ever known that Reed was gay, uld have led to the end of the show and his late -star's reer.
SAN OLSEN SAYS 'BEG GAY KILLED' HER BRADY BUNCH FATHER ROBERT REED A HEARTFELT ONLE TRIBUTE
Actor Robert Reed attends the 31st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards - Creative Arts Emmy Awards on September 8, 1979 at the Exhibn Hall, Pasana Civic Audorium Pasana, California | Photo: Getty ImagHenrson add that she do not thk the show uld have existed at that time if the public knew Reed was gay. The show’s fay patriarch Mike Brady (Robert Reed) was a gay man, but most people didn’t realize until after his ath. Florence Henrson knew her -star Robert Reed was gay.