About Robert Reed's Homosexuality... - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 09-23-2008, 01:50 AM

As we all know now Robert Reed (Mr. Brady) was a closeted homosexual most of his life. He kept his illness and lifestyle secret and came out to those close to him when he was near his death-bed.

Some of you out there might remember Brady Bunch from its early years so were you surprised when you found out about this? Did it matter to you at all?

For me, I was upset that Reed had to live his life in secret and that he could have never lived openly at the time. Guaranteed he would have never landed the role as Mr. Brady should he had been an open homosexual back in 1969.

Hughsgirl · 09-23-2008, 09:16 AM

Yes, I was surprised and I really wish they never would have brought it out. That is just something I did'nt care to know about the man. If I recall too, they waited until after he was dead to smear him the way they did, which just proves what kind of human trash we are dealing with.

I for one, don't agree with that lifestyle, but I think it was horrible that they brought it out at all, it's really no one's business and unfortunately I look at him differently now when I watch the show, it's just not the same for me.

Bachu · 09-24-2008, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hughsgirl

Yes, I was surprised and I really wish they never would have brought it out. That is just something I did'nt care to know about the man. If I recall too, they waited until after he was dead to smear him the way they did, which just proves what kind of human trash we are dealing with.

I for one, don't agree with that lifestyle, but I think it was horrible that they brought it out at all, it's really no one's business and unfortunately I look at him differently now when I watch the show, it's just not the same for me.

But Mr Brady isn't gay, just the actor that played him. I know what you mean, though for me it really doesn't spoil my viewing. Mr Brady was straight and loved his wife and children.

I am glad that though you say you do not 'agree' with that lifestyle that you didn't put the word 'choice' after the word 'lifestyle.'

Lodee · 09-24-2008, 08:32 AM

By the time I heard about him I was old enough that it didn't bother me. If I was younger I might have been confused.

catlover79 · 09-24-2008, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lodee

By the time I heard about him I was old enough that it didn't bother me. If I was younger I might have been confused.

Same here. To me, it was his business and I didn't really think much about it, anyway.

honeybea · 09-24-2008, 02:49 PM

I probably would have been a little upset if I knew it when the show was on, but when it came out, no. This was his personal business and that's the way it should have been and stayed.

The Great One · 09-24-2008, 03:42 PM

It didn't bother me at all when I first found out about it.

PrettyinPink55 · 09-25-2008, 12:48 AM

I just don't like how, like someone else said, they made such a spectacle of it after his death, instead of celebrating his life and achievements, like how that part of his life seemed to overshadow everything else. Now I was really young in 1992, so this is all from what I've read and been told. He didn't want to be remembered for that, and I think it's a shame how the tabloids and everyone else grabbed onto that piece of his life and almost exploited it.

sixfingers · 09-25-2008, 10:59 AM

I feel the same way about his sexual proclivities that I feel about everybody elses. As long as they don't involve others against their will or shove it in our faces it is nobody else's business.

It was a private matter and he kept it private.

Smartboy · 09-25-2008, 11:58 PM

The first time that I heard about Robert Reed being gay was in 1989. I was twenty years old at the time and had a summer job at Livingston College in Rutgers University. It was a female higher up of mine that mentioned it. I had no idea of the accuracy of her statement and did not think much about it. It was three years later that he passed away. Once he died it got revealed that it was related to AIDS and that he was, in fact gay. However, those of you who have read Barry Williams' book "Growing Up Brady, I Was a Teenage Greg" know that this reality was not mentioned anywhere. All of the reseach for the book was completed shortly before Reed's death at fifty-nine. While Barry was writing this book, he knew all about it and anticipated that Robert did not have much time left. However, it was Reed's deathbed wish for this reality not to come out in the book. Williams was a gentleman and granted him this one last request. I really admire him for his sense of decency!

James · 09-27-2008, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smartboy

However, it was Reed's deathbed wish for this reality not to come out in the [Growing Up Brady]book. Williams was a gentleman and granted him this one last request. I really admire him for his sense of decency!

Actually, Chapter 29 entitled "Remembering Robert Reed" has the quote "By the time “The Brady Bunch” was canceled, I had become aware that Bob was gay, but didn't think much about it." (page 165) In other words, Barry revealed the fact Robert was gay in the book, which to me contradicts your claim of "grant[ing] him this one last request."

Smartboy · 09-27-2008, 07:40 PM

One thing that I happen to know about Barry Williams' book is that there was at least one revised eddition after the original text. The version of the book that I read was the original volume and it was published in 1992. However, by the time that I read it, it was already 1998, Reed had been dead for some time and the two "Brady Bunch" feature films had already come and gone. Later on, I thumbed through a paperback copy of a revised version of the book that I saw at a local bookstore. One thing that we have already confirmed was that the original text was chuck full of mistakes, expecially regarding the episodes of the show. For example, let us look at the episode known as "Double Parked". The issue of closing Wookland Park to build the courthouse was handled by finding another site for the courthouse. This was the land in which the city garbadge dump had once stood. However, in Barry's original book, it was handled by building a little park on the site of the courthouse and thus reaching a compromise that everyone was willing to settle for. While I was skimming through the newer version, I happened to come on to this episode description and in this one, the fact that they built the counthouse on the site of the old city dump was recognized. It is possible that, in this or some other revised eddition, the fact that the late Robert Reed was gay got mentioned somewhere. However, I can gurentee you that, in the "original" version of the book, Robert was referred to as if he was still living and the fact that he was gay was "not" mentioned anywhere! Barry has since said at interviews that he wrote it this way because of the last wishes of a dieing man.

Mr. Television · 09-27-2008, 08:50 PM

It doesn't bother me. When I see Robert Reed on the Brady Bunch I still see Mike Brady.

dukesmj · 09-29-2008, 08:05 AM

The man was who he was. Being Gay is not a choice. Of course in the sixties he would have never landed the role had it been none. Times were just different then. It does cross my mind when I watch the Brady Bunch even now but it quickly is forgotten because like many of you have said "He was Mike Brady and Mike Brady was a devoted Father and Husband". That much is obvious in every episode. Robert Reed from things I have read was a theater trained actor and while I'm sure at the time he thought working on the Brady Bunch would further his career it sadly ended up creating a lot of bitterness for him as later on it was thought of as "canned comedy" and it was difficult for him to shed the image and get more serious work (same deal with Eve Plumb). I hope Mike Brady has found the peace he seemed to be looking for all his life. God rest his soul.

Smartboy · 10-12-2008, 04:14 AM

Because of how slow the pages on this board seem to be at the moment and because I have, pretty much, bleed dry what I can think of to say, I am bringing this thread to the top in an attempt to stimulate some conversation. I should be back in about an hour to see if I have already had some success! Take care!

09-23-2008, 01:50 AM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,026	About Robert Reed's Homosexuality... As we all know now Robert Reed (Mr. Brady) was a closeted homosexual most of his life. He kept his illness and lifestyle secret and came out to those close to him when he was near his death-bed. Some of you out there might remember Brady Bunch from its early years so were you surprised when you found out about this? Did it matter to you at all? For me, I was upset that Reed had to live his life in secret and that he could have never lived openly at the time. Guaranteed he would have never landed the role as Mr. Brady should he had been an open homosexual back in 1969.

09-24-2008, 03:42 PM	#7
The Great One Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Aug 29, 2006 Posts: 6,378	It didn't bother me at all when I first found out about it.
	__________________ .

09-25-2008, 12:48 AM	#8
PrettyinPink55 Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: Feb 11, 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 24,601	I just don't like how, like someone else said, they made such a spectacle of it after his death, instead of celebrating his life and achievements, like how that part of his life seemed to overshadow everything else. Now I was really young in 1992, so this is all from what I've read and been told. He didn't want to be remembered for that, and I think it's a shame how the tabloids and everyone else grabbed onto that piece of his life and almost exploited it.
	__________________ ♥♥♥

09-27-2008, 08:50 PM	#13
Mr. Television 22 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,128	It doesn't bother me. When I see Robert Reed on the Brady Bunch I still see Mike Brady.
	__________________ Sonny

09-29-2008, 08:05 AM	#14
dukesmj Member Forum Hawk Join Date: Jul 29, 2007 Location: Georgia Posts: 3	It simply should not matter! The man was who he was. Being Gay is not a choice. Of course in the sixties he would have never landed the role had it been none. Times were just different then. It does cross my mind when I watch the Brady Bunch even now but it quickly is forgotten because like many of you have said "He was Mike Brady and Mike Brady was a devoted Father and Husband". That much is obvious in every episode. Robert Reed from things I have read was a theater trained actor and while I'm sure at the time he thought working on the Brady Bunch would further his career it sadly ended up creating a lot of bitterness for him as later on it was thought of as "canned comedy" and it was difficult for him to shed the image and get more serious work (same deal with Eve Plumb). I hope Mike Brady has found the peace he seemed to be looking for all his life. God rest his soul.

09-23-2008, 09:16 AM	#2
Hughsgirl Member Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 22, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 804	Yes, I was surprised and I really wish they never would have brought it out. That is just something I did'nt care to know about the man. If I recall too, they waited until after he was dead to smear him the way they did, which just proves what kind of human trash we are dealing with. I for one, don't agree with that lifestyle, but I think it was horrible that they brought it out at all, it's really no one's business and unfortunately I look at him differently now when I watch the show, it's just not the same for me.

09-24-2008, 08:32 AM	#4
Lodee Member Senior Member Join Date: Jun 12, 2003 Posts: 1,562	By the time I heard about him I was old enough that it didn't bother me. If I was younger I might have been confused.

09-24-2008, 02:49 PM	#6
honeybea Member Forum Regular Join Date: Nov 06, 2005 Location: SC Posts: 503	I probably would have been a little upset if I knew it when the show was on, but when it came out, no. This was his personal business and that's the way it should have been and stayed.

09-25-2008, 10:59 AM	#9
sixfingers John Alan Elson Senior Member Join Date: Feb 22, 2008 Location: Sacramento Posts: 1,491	I feel the same way about his sexual proclivities that I feel about everybody elses. As long as they don't involve others against their will or shove it in our faces it is nobody else's business. It was a private matter and he kept it private.

09-25-2008, 11:58 PM	#10
Smartboy Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 06, 2007 Location: South Orange, NJ Posts: 4,231	The first time that I heard about Robert Reed being gay was in 1989. I was twenty years old at the time and had a summer job at Livingston College in Rutgers University. It was a female higher up of mine that mentioned it. I had no idea of the accuracy of her statement and did not think much about it. It was three years later that he passed away. Once he died it got revealed that it was related to AIDS and that he was, in fact gay. However, those of you who have read Barry Williams' book "Growing Up Brady, I Was a Teenage Greg" know that this reality was not mentioned anywhere. All of the reseach for the book was completed shortly before Reed's death at fifty-nine. While Barry was writing this book, he knew all about it and anticipated that Robert did not have much time left. However, it was Reed's deathbed wish for this reality not to come out in the book. Williams was a gentleman and granted him this one last request. I really admire him for his sense of decency!

09-27-2008, 07:40 PM	#12
Smartboy Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 06, 2007 Location: South Orange, NJ Posts: 4,231	One thing that I happen to know about Barry Williams' book is that there was at least one revised eddition after the original text. The version of the book that I read was the original volume and it was published in 1992. However, by the time that I read it, it was already 1998, Reed had been dead for some time and the two "Brady Bunch" feature films had already come and gone. Later on, I thumbed through a paperback copy of a revised version of the book that I saw at a local bookstore. One thing that we have already confirmed was that the original text was chuck full of mistakes, expecially regarding the episodes of the show. For example, let us look at the episode known as "Double Parked". The issue of closing Wookland Park to build the courthouse was handled by finding another site for the courthouse. This was the land in which the city garbadge dump had once stood. However, in Barry's original book, it was handled by building a little park on the site of the courthouse and thus reaching a compromise that everyone was willing to settle for. While I was skimming through the newer version, I happened to come on to this episode description and in this one, the fact that they built the counthouse on the site of the old city dump was recognized. It is possible that, in this or some other revised eddition, the fact that the late Robert Reed was gay got mentioned somewhere. However, I can gurentee you that, in the "original" version of the book, Robert was referred to as if he was still living and the fact that he was gay was "not" mentioned anywhere! Barry has since said at interviews that he wrote it this way because of the last wishes of a dieing man.

10-12-2008, 04:14 AM	#15
Smartboy Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 06, 2007 Location: South Orange, NJ Posts: 4,231	Because of how slow the pages on this board seem to be at the moment and because I have, pretty much, bleed dry what I can think of to say, I am bringing this thread to the top in an attempt to stimulate some conversation. I should be back in about an hour to see if I have already had some success! Take care!