Brian Kelly(1931-2005)
- Actor
- Director
- Producer
Actor Brian Kelly was a Valentine's Day baby. He was born in Detroit, Michigan, to Anne Veronica (O'Brien) and Harry Francis Kelly, who was Governor of Michigan (1943-1947) and served as a justice on the Michigan Supreme Court. He was of Irish descent. Brian joined the
Marine Corps. during the Korean War and subsequently attended the
University of Michigan Law School with the intent of pursuing a
political career like his father, but it only lasted a year. During
college he found work as a male model and later broke into the business
in Detroit with radio and TV commercials.
A talent agent spotted him and in the late 50s the dark-haired,
hairy-chested, extremely handsome actor decided to try his luck in Hollywood. He found
some nominal parts coming his way on such series as
Adventures in Paradise (1959),
The Beverly Hillbillies (1962)
and The Rifleman (1958), among
others, but nothing that advanced his career significantly. He appeared
regularly on two TV short-lived series -- the detective drama
21 Beacon Street (1959) and
the high-speed adventure series
Straightaway (1961) before
nabbing his most recognizable role as game life ranger Porter Ricks on
the popular aquatic series
Flipper (1964). Although Brian took a
back seat to the scene-stealing antics of the titular dolphin and the
two actors (Luke Halpin and
Tommy Norden) playing his sons, fans
admired the actor's widower character on the series who provided a
strong moral fiber to his children. The success of the show, which was
filmed in Miami and the Bahamas, led to a brief movie career, including
a lead in
Around the World Under the Sea (1966),
which seemed in keeping with his underwater expertise.
In 1970, Brian was involved in a serious motorcycle accident, which
left his right arm and leg paralyzed. He subsequently won a legal
settlement ($750,000), but the severe impairment cost him his on-camera
career. Undaunted, he used his settlement money to produce films,
serving as executive producer of the popular
Harrison Ford starrer
Blade Runner (1982) and associate
producer of
Cities of the Wild (1996). He
first married gorgeous, aspiring blonde actress
Laura Devon in 1962. Both met while
living in Detroit and married while climbing up the Hollywood ladder.
The union ended four years later. He then married Valerie Ann Romero in
1972, with whom he had a daughter Hallie in 1975 and a son Devin in
1980. Brian died of pneumonia in Voorhees, New Jersey, just a few days
before his 74th birthday in 2005.
Marine Corps. during the Korean War and subsequently attended the
University of Michigan Law School with the intent of pursuing a
political career like his father, but it only lasted a year. During
college he found work as a male model and later broke into the business
in Detroit with radio and TV commercials.
A talent agent spotted him and in the late 50s the dark-haired,
hairy-chested, extremely handsome actor decided to try his luck in Hollywood. He found
some nominal parts coming his way on such series as
Adventures in Paradise (1959),
The Beverly Hillbillies (1962)
and The Rifleman (1958), among
others, but nothing that advanced his career significantly. He appeared
regularly on two TV short-lived series -- the detective drama
21 Beacon Street (1959) and
the high-speed adventure series
Straightaway (1961) before
nabbing his most recognizable role as game life ranger Porter Ricks on
the popular aquatic series
Flipper (1964). Although Brian took a
back seat to the scene-stealing antics of the titular dolphin and the
two actors (Luke Halpin and
Tommy Norden) playing his sons, fans
admired the actor's widower character on the series who provided a
strong moral fiber to his children. The success of the show, which was
filmed in Miami and the Bahamas, led to a brief movie career, including
a lead in
Around the World Under the Sea (1966),
which seemed in keeping with his underwater expertise.
In 1970, Brian was involved in a serious motorcycle accident, which
left his right arm and leg paralyzed. He subsequently won a legal
settlement ($750,000), but the severe impairment cost him his on-camera
career. Undaunted, he used his settlement money to produce films,
serving as executive producer of the popular
Harrison Ford starrer
Blade Runner (1982) and associate
producer of
Cities of the Wild (1996). He
first married gorgeous, aspiring blonde actress
Laura Devon in 1962. Both met while
living in Detroit and married while climbing up the Hollywood ladder.
The union ended four years later. He then married Valerie Ann Romero in
1972, with whom he had a daughter Hallie in 1975 and a son Devin in
1980. Brian died of pneumonia in Voorhees, New Jersey, just a few days
before his 74th birthday in 2005.