Don O'Kelly

Don O'Kelly, (March 17, 1924 – October 2, 1966) was an American actor prominent in the 1950s and 1960s mostly on television. Though credited as "Don Kelly" in earlier performances, his billing was changed to "Don O'Kelly" in 1960. [1]

Background

Donald Patrick Kelly was born st at Sheepshead Bay in Brooklyn, New York to an Irish-American father Robert J. Kelly and Norwegian-American mother Rachel Marie Knudsen. Don Kelly enlisted in the United States Navy on June 17, 1941 just prior to World War II and saw active duty aboard the USS Stanton and USS Palmer. He saw convoy duty at San Juan, Puerto Rico; Iceland; England; Scotland; Africa (Invasion), the European Theater; Africa; Italy; convoy duty to Scotland; Africa; Iceland; Southern France (Invasion) through Channel into Pacific and then on to the Carolinas; Siapan; Tinian; Marshalls; Gilbert; Iwo Jima; Okinawa, and the Sea of Japan (when World War II ended). Kelly saw active duty four years, three months, and 17 days and then went home. Don Kelly received an Honorable Discharge after the war and upon separation joined his cousin's ice skating show. O'Kelly née Kelly used his GI Bill of Rights to study acting with the Strasberg company in Hollywood, CA.

Career

Don O'Kelly began his career starring in Tank Battalion with Marjorie Helen (later Leslie Parrish). O'Kelly was a familiar face to series television fans during the 1950s and 1960s. As a character and lead actor with starring film role in Tank Battalion with Marjorie Helen (later Leslie Parrish). His last starring role was in The Hostage, made in 1966 and released in 1967, for which he received very favorable reviews. [2] [3]

TV and film credits

Personal life

Don O'Kelly aka Don Kelly was married to Ruthie Kelly. They had three sons, Michael David Kelly (deceased April 22, 2016 of natural causes. Michael died in his sleep) Michael had three children Elizabeth Kelly (who birthed grandson Tristen), Alex Kelly and Ruby Grace Kelly; Brent Robert Kelly married Rhonda and had three children: Lori Kelly married Zach Allen; Nicholas Simon Kelly married Melinda and Elisa Kelly. Raymond Joseph Kelly married and also has three children: Carissa Mae Kelly Jenkins who birthed Daysia and Jaylen Jenkins; Heather Kelly Weathers birthed Raegan; and Maria Kelly. Don Kelly died of stomach cancer in Culver City, California shortly after "The Hostage" was released and just prior to leaving on a national tour promoting the film. Ruth Kelly has resided in The Villages, Fl. since October, 1998. Life is fragile, handle with prayer.

References

  1. ↑ "Donald Patrick Kelly". IMDb.com, Inc. Retrieved January 5, 2016.
  2. ↑ "Don Kelly". amc.com. Retrieved January 5, 2016.
  3. ↑ "Don O'Kelly". CBS Interactive Inc. Retrieved January 5, 2016.

External links

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