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
Peter Fonda launched the biker movie genre, and established Fonda as a movie name. Fonda next played the male lead in Corman's popular film "The Trip" (1967), a take on the experience and "consequences" of consuming LSD which was written by Jack Nicholson. Fonda then travelled to France to appear in the portmanteau horror movie "Spirits of the Dead" (1968). His segment co-starred Fonda's sister Jane and was directed by her then-husband Roger Vadim. In 1968, Fonda produced, co-wrote and starred in "Easy Rider", directed by Dennis Hopper, which was Fonda's breakthrough role, and a critical and commercial success. "Easy Rider" is