Gay secret killed Brady Bunch dad, claims co-star
By Tribute on April 3, 2013 | 6 Comments
Robert Reed (middle row, second from right) brought us the happy go-lucky Mike Brady of The Brady Bunch, but behind the laughs and family antics was a secret that forced the star to live an unfulfilled life. After his death on May 12, 1992 at the age of 59, word was released that Robert, despite having been married to a woman for five years, was gay. Though the beloved actor died of several health complications, including colon cancer and HIV, his television daughter, Susan Olsen (bottom row in red dress), who portrayed his youngest daughter, Cindy Brady, said his secretive sexual orientation played a role in his death, claiming, “being gay killed him. Because it was so taboo, he could never make peace with himself.” She wrote on Facebook, “He never allowed himself to have a genuine love. He was forever taunted by his own disdain for the natural inclinations that he was BORN WITH.” Though his castmates knew of his preferences, he never came out publicly due to fear of how the media and the world would react. “Bob was a family man. Had he been allowed to form a relationship with another man, he would have been the best husband ever and might still be alive.” ~Brittnee Fleming
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This isn’t news. This is the same story recycled from 1992 with same sentiments only with Olsen’s recent quotation. There’s nothing new here as most cast members felt this way about him.
I think HIV played a role in his death. Not the fact that he was secretly gay.
Unnatural acts lead to unnatural deaths.
Wendy, dying of a disease is not an unnatural death and can happen to anyone.
He was terrible on that show. I was never able to put my finger on why he just seemed wrong for the character he was playing, but this explains a lot.
I like reading a post that can make people think. Also, thank you for permitting me to comment!