Synopsis
The Loud family members profiled were:
- William Carberry (Bill) Loud (born January 22, 1921, Eugene, Oregon)
- Patricia (Pat) Loud (born Patricia Russell, October 4, 1926, in Eugene, Oregon)
- Alanson Russell (Lance) Loud (June 26, 1951 – December 22, 2001)
- Kevin Robert Loud (born January 28, 1953)
- Grant Loud (born May 5, 1954 in Eugene, Oregon)
- Delilah Ann Loud (born October 15, 1955)
- Michele Loud (born October 15, 1957)
Controversial at the time, the Louds' eldest son, Lance, came out to his family as openly gay during the course of the series. He is credited as the first openly gay character on television and subsequently became an icon within the LGBT community.
One of the more notable moments of the series was when, after 21 years of marriage, Pat asked Bill for a divorce and to leave the house. Pat's saying to her husband "You know there's a problem" – with Bill's response, "What's your problem?" – was chosen as one of the Top 100 Television Moments by TV Guide.
The series drew over 10 million viewers and considerable controversy. The family was featured in Newsweek on March 12, 1973. The article was titled "The Broken Family".
Read more about this topic: An American Family