His father, John Sr., was a government worker and his mother Helen was a housewife.
His mother and daughter both refused to attend his memorial.
His mother, Helen Rietz, died in 2002.
His Shakespearean background included roles in "Romeo and Juliet" and "A Midsummer Night's Dream" as part of an off-Broadway company called "The Shakespearewrights." Toward the end of his life he taught a course in Shakespearean acting at UCLA.
In 1985 he sold the house on South Arroyo St. in Pasadena, California, and bought a Spanish-style house on Stoneridge Ave.
In one of his last interviews, he revealed that he actually detested "The Brady Bunch" (1969), and that his role as Mike Brady embarrassed him.
Is portrayed by Daniel Hugh Kelly in Growing Up Brady (2000) (TV).
Lived outside of the Beverly Hills scene in Pasadena.
Member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity.
Met wife Marilyn Rosenberg while both were college students and drama majors at Northwestern University. The marriage lasted only two years, producing a daughter, Caroline Reed.
Mike Brady, Reed's character on "The Brady Bunch" (1969), was ranked #14 in TV Guide's list of the "50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time" [20 June 2004 issue].
Moved to Muskogee, Oklahoma, with his family, when he was 14.
Only cast member of "The Brady Bunch" (1969) to miss two episodes. The first was "Goodbye, Alice, Hello" (#4.10) and the second one, _"The Hair-Brained Scheme" (#5.22) he was written out of because he strongly disapproved of the script, which had Greg's hair turning orange because of a cheap hair tonic.
Remained good friends with Barry Williams and Susan Olsen, among other cast members, during and after "The Brady Bunch" (1969).
Replaced Robert Redford on Broadway in Neil Simon's "Barefoot in the Park."
The epitaph on his tombstone reads: "Good Night, Sweet Prince." This is taken from the final line of William Shakespeare's "Hamlet".
Transferred to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London, England, UK.
Was a Shakespearean, Broadway actor.
Was invited to join the group of fellow students from East Pennsylvania, where it was under the direction of Alvina Krause, who was his acting coach.
Was very happy when "The Brady Bunch" (1969) was canceled because of low ratings.