His birth name was John Robert Rietz, and he played the father of the clan for the entire run of The Brady Bunch, and every other incarnation it had. Remember "The Bradys?"
Reed had colon cancer for six months. He eventually checked in to the Huntington Memorial Hospital, in Pasadena. On Tuesday night, May 12, 1992, he succumbed to the cancer. He was 59 years old. On this media genius's talk show, Now It Can Be Told, he revealed that Reed's death certificate stated that he was infected by the HIV virus. The former Jerry Rivers managed to drag out a "confidante," a bartender in Reed's local gay bar, and another "close friend," to dish the dirt on the poor guy.
According to his death certificate, he died of cancer. He had the HIV infection, but it did NOT contribute to his death.
Robert Reed totally despised and hated being a homosexual man. He considered his homosexuality as an "illness" or a "condition" which he wanted to suppress, and even hoped to find a "cure" which would rid him of this "disorder", Again, I am not expressing a criticism of anyone. These were Robert's feelings as expressed in confidence. The fact that he could not accept his own sexual orientation led to a great deal of angst, emotional conflict and sadness in his life. It prevented his ever being a truly happy person. We can only hope that in death he has found the peace of mind which eluded him in life. I read, when Robert Reed died, that he died of complications from AIDS.
