Bill Loud, patriarch of ‘An American Family,’ TV’s first reality show, dies at 97

Bill Loud, the beleaguered father whose family life was turned inside out and examined by millions during a 12-part 1973 documentary series, “An American Family,” that is considered television’s first reality show, died July 26 at his home in Los Angeles. He was 97.

The death was confirmed by his former wife, Pat Loud, who said doctors told her they did not know the exact cause of death.