Reality TV pioneer Bill Loud, the patriarch of PBS' An American Family, dies at 97

The New York Times

Loud was the father of five and the first reality TV dad when An American Family shocked audiences in 1973. "As a father figure, Mr. Loud, who ran a company that made parts for heavy equipment, sent what could seem like mixed messages," says William Yardley. "He pressed his children to be responsible and work hard, even as he complained that modern family life had robbed men of their independence." Loud's death was confirmed by his ex-wife, Pat Loud, who famously kicked him out of the house during filming of the show. He later remarried and divorced and moved back in with ex-wife Pat as "roommates." Loud is survived by his ex-wife, four of his five kids -- son Lance Loud died of complications from HIV in 2001 -- and two grandchildren.