Robert Reed his Broadway stage debut as Paul Bratter in Neil Simon's "Barefoot in the Park", replacing Robert Redford. For the remainder of the decade, Reed appeared primarily in television guest spots, including roles in "Family Affair", "Ironside", "The Mod Squad", and "Bob Hope Presents The Chrysler Theatre". He also appeared in the 1968 film "Star!" and in the Broadway production of "Avanti!". Appearing in the Neil Simon play "Barefoot in the Park" led to two new contracts at Paramount Pictures and ABC, both in 1968. When Paramount had decided to turn the television version of "Barefoot in the Park" into a
Sunday in New York a lot of feeling and very funny. Peter Graves and Jane Fonda were discussed as leads in the play. Then in May 1961 Carroll Baker was mooted as star. Baker ended up going into "Come on Strong" a play written by Kanin. The lead roles ended up going to Pat Stanley, Robert Redford and Conrad Janis. Rehearsals took place in October 1961. The "New York Times" called it "inventive and chic. Only the substance is familiar and thin." Walter Kerr called it a "sentimentalised farce... precisely the kind of echo chamber exercise that drives intelligent young theatregoers to complete despair."