Kelly Corcoran

Kelly Patrick Corcoran (August 7, 1958—April 17, 2002) was an American child actor, a brother of Donna Corcoran, Hugh Corcoran, Noreen Corcoran, Brian Corcoran, and Kevin Corcoran. He was the youngest child born to William "Bill" Corcoran, Sr. (1905–1958), and the former Kathleen McKenney (1917–1972). In 1947, the Corcoran family moved from Massachusetts to Santa Monica, California, where the father became the maintenance chief at MGM Studios.

Donna Corcoran soon earned a speaking role in the 1951 film, Angels in the Outfield. The Corcoran children studied dramatics or dance as a means to launch potential acting careers. During the 1950s, Kevin Corcoran gained fame in the role of young Moochie Morgan on Walt Disney's modern western drama, The Adventures of Spin and Marty, with Tim Considine and David Stollery. Kevin Corcoran also starred with Russ Conway in two two-part episodes, "Moochie of the Little League" and "Moochie of Pop Warner Football", on ABC's Walt Disney Presents.^[1]

Kelly Corcoran's most long-lasting role was as 8-year-old Kip Pride on the NBC 1966-1967 western series The Road West. Kelly's first role was as 6-year-old Hubby Kimball in the 1964 episode "What's Different About Today?" of NBC's medical drama, Dr. Kildare, starring Richard Chamberlain and Raymond Massey. He later appeared on two sitcoms, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet (twice, 1964–1965) and The Baileys of Balboa (1965). He guest starred in the role of Dickie Hannagan in the 1966 episode entitled "Strangers at the Door" of Run for Your Life, starring Ben Gazzara.^[1]

After The Road West folded, Corcoran appeared as David Howard in the 1969 episode "The Secret" of Barbara Stanwyck's The Big Valley western series, on which his sister, Noreen, had also guest starred in her last screen role in 1965. His last role was in 1970 in two episodes of Brian Keith's Family Affair.^[1]

Death

Kelly Corcoran, who was born in Los Angeles, died at age 43 in Sanger, Fresno County, California.^[1]

References