Early Life
Reed was born John Robert Rietz, Jr. in the northern Chicago suburb of Highland Park, Illinois. He was the only child of Helen (born Teaverbaugh) and John Robert Rietz, Sr., who were high school sweethearts and were married since at 18. The family lived in Des Plaines, Illinois at 621 Parsons Avenue, and Reed attended the West Division School in Community Consolidated School District 62 until 1939. His father worked in the government, and his mother was a homemaker. Reed spent his later childhood years in Muskogee, Oklahoma, as well as Navasota, Texas. In Oklahoma, his father, John Sr., worked as a turkey farmer, raising 200 turkeys annually.
In his youth, Reed joined the 4-H agricultural club and showed calves, but was more interested in acting and music. While attending Central High School in Muskogee, he participated in both activities. Reed also took to the stage, where he performed and sang. Reed graduated from Muskogee Central in 1950, and enrolled at Northwestern University to study drama. He later transferred to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, in London and also studied at The University of London.
During his years at Northwestern, Reed appeared in several plays under the direction of Alvine Krause, a celebrated Northwestern drama coach. He also appeared in summer stock in Eagles Mere, Pennsylvania. Reed performed in more than eight plays in college, all with leading roles, and mastered Shakespeare as well. He eventually adopted the stage name Robert Reed.
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