Robert Reed

Diagnoses

Personal

Passions

Vocation

Lifestyle

Family

American actor best known for being the paterfamilias Mike Brady in the TV series "The Brady Bunch," a silly, corny and endearing show which ran from 1969-1974. He was also in such TV mega-hits as "The Defenders," from 1961 to 1965 and "Mannix," along with top roles in two big miniseries, "Rich Man, Poor Man," and "Roots." Reed grew up as John Robert Rietz, an only child on a turkey farm in Muskogee, Ok. He built up a resume of hard-earned theatrical credentials, including studies at Northwestern University and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. He also did a number of Shakespeare roles in New York, as well as works by Eugene O'Neill in the '50s. He was vocal about disliking "The Brady Bunch," and after the series ended in 1974, played in the 1981-1982 series "Nurse," before his stage role in "Deathtrap" on Broadway in 1982. He taught Shakespearean acting classes at UCLA up until his death in 1992. Reed was married in 1959 briefly to dancer Marilyn Rosenberg; they had a daughter, Karen and divorced in 1969. A closet gay, he cruised the Hollywood gay bars and clubs where he contacted AIDS. In November 1991 he was diagnosed with a tumor and he died of colon cancer from AIDS on 5/12/92, Hollywood. His daughter Karen was with him at his death. Link to Wikipedia biography