Reed enrolled in the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television in 1987 and graduated in 1991. He joined Tim Robbins' The Actors' Gang and his first production with the group was the Good Woman of Setzuan. JR met Kyle Gass and knew Jack Black from UCLA previously, which led him to getting hired as a roadie and playing Spider-Man at early Tenacious D concerts.
Reed began studying at the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television in 1987 and graduated in 1991. He joined Tim Robbins' The Actors' Gang where his first production was "The Good Woman of Setzuan." JR met Kyle Gass and Jack Black from UCLA earlier; this connection resulted in Reed being hired as a roadie for Tenacious D's early concerts, where he played Spider-Man.