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Reed studied Shakespeare and was not a comic actor. After winning the role of Mike Brady on The Brady Bunch, he became unhappy with his part. He wanted out of the show but was under contract. He was happy when the show ended, but he did return for the Brady Bunch Variety Hour and the two made-for-TV movies that reunited the Brady cast.
Reed died from cancer at the age of 59. However, he was also HIV-positive which, according to his death certificate, was a contributing factor to Reed's death. Like many gay actors of his generation, Reed never publicly revealed his homosexuality during his lifetime and was reportedly very conflicted about being gay.