Born at Highland Park, Illinois, as John Robert Reitz Jr. He grew up in Muskogee, Oklahoma. He was married to Marilyn Rosenberg for two years and they had a daughter, Karen.

Reed played the father role in the popular 70s TV series The Brady Bunch, he is therefore known as "Pa Brady". Reed died in Pasadena, California, of Aids related complications.

The staff and actors of The Brady Bunch knew about him being gay, and all testify he was a "splendid man and a real father" to the young actors of the series, being always correct, caring and of help for all of them.

TV: The Brady Bunch (1969-1974) Mannix (1969-1975) Rich Man, Poor Man (1976) Roots (1977) Theatre: Romeo and Juliet Barefoot in the Park (1964) The Owl and the Pussycat California Suite Alone Together (1989)

Film: The Hunters (1958) Bloodlust (1959) Rocket Attack USA (1961) Hurry Sundown (1967) Star! (1968) The Love Bug (1968) The Maltese Bippy (1969) No Price for My Cinderella (1978) Prime Target (1991)