Home> Facts and Trivia > Stars > Robert Reed
Robert Reed Facts
| Sign | Libra |
| Born |
Oct 19, 1932 Highland Park, IL |
| Died |
May 12, 1992 Pasadena, CA |
| Age | Died at 59 |
| Total Facts | 41 |
A year before his death, he was a college teacher.
Always said yes to a reunion movie or special for "The Brady Bunch" (1969).
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.
Attended fifth and sixth grades at Woodrow Wilson Elementary School in Shawnee, Oklahoma, in 1942 and 1943.
Attended Northwestern University (Evanston, Illinois).
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.
Close friend of Anne Haney.
Confided in Florence Henderson, about his feud with his own mother, just several months before his death.
During hiatus, his "The Brady Bunch" (1969) co-star, Barry Williams, was introduced by Reed's teacher, Lee Strasberg, for poetry at London's Royal Academy.
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.)
Graduated from Central High School in Muskogee, Oklahoma, in 1950.
Had purchased a home in Pasadena, California, after the cancellation of "The Brady Bunch" (1969), in 1974. He moved his parents under his wing, when they left Oklahoma.
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.
He grew up with his parents on a farm where they raised cattle and turkeys.
He had 9 hobbies: animals, fishing, photography, traveling, Shakespearean poetry, swimming, collecting clothes, dining and gardening.
He was good friends with: Florence Henderson, George Maharis, Anne Haney, Penny Fuller, E.G. Marshall and Bonnie Hellman.
He was the producers' second choice for the role of Mike Brady on "The Brady Bunch" (1969), after Gene Hackman was rejected.
His "The Brady Bunch" (1969) co-star Maureen McCormick, who played his daughter Marcia, once confessed in an interview that she had a crush on him in real-life.
His "The Brady Bunch" (1969) co-star Susan Olsen became friends with his real-life daughter, Caroline Reed, who made a guest appearance on one episode, when she was in the 9th grade. Despite her friendship with Reed's daughter, there was no father and daughter connection until Caroline became an adult.
His father, John Rietz Sr., died in 1975.
His father, John Sr., was a government worker and his mother Helen was a housewife.
His mother and daughter both refused to attend his memorial.
His mother, Helen Rietz, died in 2002.
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.
In 1985 he sold the house on South Arroyo St. in Pasadena, California, and bought a Spanish-style house on Stoneridge Ave.
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.
Is portrayed by Daniel Hugh Kelly in Growing Up Brady (2000) (TV).
Lived outside of the Beverly Hills scene in Pasadena.
Member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity.
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.
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].
Moved to Muskogee, Oklahoma, with his family, when he was 14.
Only cast member of "The Brady Bunch" (1969) to miss two episodes. The first was "Goodbye, Alice, Hello" (#4.10) and the second one, _"The Hair-Brained Scheme" (#5.22) he was written out of because he strongly disapproved of the script, which had Greg's hair turning orange because of a cheap hair tonic.
Remained good friends with Barry Williams and Susan Olsen, among other cast members, during and after "The Brady Bunch" (1969).
Replaced Robert Redford on Broadway in Neil Simon's "Barefoot in the Park."
The epitaph on his tombstone reads: "Good Night, Sweet Prince." This is taken from the final line of William Shakespeare's "Hamlet".
Transferred to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London, England, UK.
Was a Shakespearean, Broadway actor.
Was invited to join the group of fellow students from East Pennsylvania, where it was under the direction of Alvina Krause, who was his acting coach.
Was very happy when "The Brady Bunch" (1969) was canceled because of low ratings.
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.