Biography for
Robert Reed (I) More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

19 October 1932, Highland Park, Illinois, USA

Date of Death

12 May 1992, Pasadena, California, USA (intestinal cancer and complications of AIDS)

Birth Name

John Robert Rietz

Height

6' 3" (1.91 m)

Spouse

Marilyn Rosenberg

(1957 - 1959) (divorced) 1 daughter born 1958

Trivia

Attended Northwestern University (Evanston, Illinois).

Transferred to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London, England, UK.

In one of his last interviews, he revealed that he actually detested "The Brady Bunch" (1969), and that his role as Mike Brady embarrassed him.

Harboured his illness from the rest of his "The Brady Bunch" (1969) brood for years. He finally contacted co-star Florence Henderson days before his death and requested that she inform the rest of the cast of his condition.

Was written out of the final episode of "The Brady Bunch" (1969) due to his disapproval of the script in which Greg's hair turns orange as a result of a cheap hair tonic.

Became something of a surrogate father to the children of "The Brady Bunch" (1969), taking them on trips on weekends and during the series' summer hiatus. For their part, the now-adult actors continue to speak of Reed affectionately.

Frequently walked off the set of "The Brady Bunch" (1969), due to arguments with series creator/producer Sherwood Schwartz. In addition, he sent voluminous memos to Schwartz, detailing his unhappiness with the writing and directing on the show. Schwartz put up with this only because Reed's instincts usually turned out to be right. (Reed would eventually direct a handful of episodes himself.)

His Shakespearean background included roles in "Romeo and Juliet" and "A Midsummer Night's Dream" as part of an off-Broadway company called "The Shakespearewrights." Toward the end of his life he taught a course in Shakespearean acting at UCLA.

Lived outside of the Beverly Hills scene in Pasadena.

An only child, he attended high school in Muskogee, Oklahoma, where, at age 17, he wrote and produced for local radio stations and sometimes worked as an announcer.

Met wife Marilyn Rosenberg while both were college students and drama majors at Northwestern University. The marriage lasted only two years, producing a daughter, Caroline Reed.

Replaced Robert Redford on Broadway in Neil Simon's "Barefoot in the Park."

Member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity.

Mike Brady, Reed's character on "The Brady Bunch" (1969), was ranked #14 in TV Guide's list of the "50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time" [20 June 2004 issue].

When he became ill, the fact that he'd had a stage name allowed him some privacy in his treatment. Prescriptions were filled under his real name Rietz, and the media never took notice.

Is portrayed by Daniel Hugh Kelly in Growing Up Brady (2000) (TV).

Close friend of Anne Haney.

Personal Quotes

On his professional name, which was chosen for him: "I can't stand the name Reed. It always reminds me of vanilla or tapioca pudding."

"The Brady Bunch will remain popular until it's an anachronism. Then it'll fall into Our Gang status."

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