Brian Kelly (actor)

Brian Kelly (February 14, 1931 – February 12, 2005) was an American actor widely known for his role as Porter Ricks, the widowed father of two sons on the NBC television series Flipper.

For other people named Brian Kelly, see Brian Kelly (disambiguation).
Brian Kelly
Brian Kelly, circa 1966.
Born(1931-02-14)February 14, 1931
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
DiedFebruary 12, 2005(2005-02-12) (aged 73)
Voorhees Township, New Jersey, U.S.
Resting placeNew Jersey, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of Notre Dame (1953)
University of Michigan Law School
OccupationActor
Years active1958–1970
Spouse(s)
​
​
(m. 1962; div. 1966)​

Valerie Anne Romero
​
​
(m. 1973)​
Children2
Parent(s)Harry F. Kelly
RelativesBrian d'Arcy James (nephew)

Early years

Kelly was born in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Republican Governor of Michigan Harry F. Kelly[1] (who was also chief justice of Michigan's Supreme Court)[2] and the former Anne Veronica O'Brien. Kelly had three sisters and two brothers, one of whom was his fraternal twin. His nephew (sister's son) is actor Brian d'Arcy James.[3] He was of Irish descent.

Kelly attended St. Mary High School[1] and served in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War. Kelly graduated in 1953 from the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. He attended the University of Michigan Law School in Ann Arbor for a year before settling on acting. During his college years, Kelly modelled and acted in radio and television commercials in Detroit.

Acting career

Kelly headed to Hollywood in the late fifties after choosing acting as his career. Following minor roles in Adventures in Paradise, The Beverly Hillbillies, and The Rifleman, Kelly starred in two television series, NBC's 21 Beacon Street (1959), with Dennis Morgan and Joanna Barnes,[4] and ABC's Straightaway (1961-1962) with John Ashley.[4]:1024

Kelly with Tommy Norden (left) and Luke Halpin (right) in Flipper, 1964

In 1964, Kelly took over the Chuck Connors role from the 1963 family film Flipper, playing Porter Ricks, Chief Warden at Coral Key Park and Marine Preserve and recently-widowed father of Sandy Ricks (Luke Halpin) in the 1964 sequel Flipper's New Adventure. He continued the role in the family-oriented action and adventure television program Flipper that same year. In the TV series, Porter would also have a second son, Bud (Tommy Norden). Kelly was quoted at the time as saying that he loved the role because of its family-friendly qualities. The success of Flipper, 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).

In 1970, Kelly sought to change his image by playing the role of Robin Stone in The Love Machine, based on the novel by Jacqueline Susann. Just prior to filming, he was involved in a motorcycle accident which left his right arm and leg paralyzed. John Phillip Law took over the role.[5] Kelly—whom Susann had called "the perfect Robin Stone"—won a legal settlement in the case but the accident ended his acting career.[6]

He used money from the settlement to build homes and then to produce films. He served as executive producer of Blade Runner (1982)[6] and associate producer of Cities of the Wild (1996).

Marriages and death

Kelly was married to actress Laura Devon[7] from 1962 until their 1966 divorce. In 1972, he married Valerie Ann Romero, with whom he had a daughter Hallie Kelly Star in 1975, and a son Devin Kelly in 1980. Kelly died two days shy of his 74th birthday on February 12, 2005 of pneumonia in Voorhees Township in South New Jersey.

Filmography

Film
Year Film Role Notes
1963 Thunder Island Vincent Dodge
1964 Flipper's New Adventure Porter Ricks
1966 Around the World Under the Sea Dr. Craig Mosby
1968 Shoot, Gringo... Shoot! Chad Stark
1982 Blade Runner N/A Executive Producer

Television
Year Film Role Notes
1958 Flight Episode: "Mercy Commando"
Panic! Randy Burke Episode: "Fingerprints"
1959 21 Beacon Street Brian Episodes: "The Rub Out", "The Hostage"
Adventures in Paradise Captain Rivers Episode: "The Haunted"
1960 Insight Father Bergen Episode: "Fisher of Men"
1961–1962 Straightaway Scott Ross Series regular, one season (26 episodes)
1963 The Beverly Hillbillies 2nd Policeman
Officer Kelly		 Episodes: "Elly's Animals", "Jed Plays Solomon"
1964–1967 Flipper Porter Ricks Nominated-TV Land Award for Favorite Pet-Human Relationship (2003)
1970 Company of Killers Nick Andros
Berlin Affair Paul Strand
1973 Drive Hard, Drive Fast Mark Driscoll

Notes
  1. "Ex-Lansing Lad Wins Top Role in TV Series". Lansing State Journal. Michigan, Lansing. September 23, 1961. p. 25. Retrieved May 12, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. Thomas, Bob (October 23, 1964). "Brian Kelly Almost Flipped, But 'Flipper' Is Doing Fine". St. Cloud Times. Minnesota, Saint Cloud. Associated Press. p. 18. Retrieved May 12, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. https://www.talkinbroadway.com/spot/james3.html
  4. Terrace, Vincent (2011). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010 (2nd ed.). Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. p. 1117. ISBN 978-0-7864-6477-7.
  5. Seaman, Barbara (2003). Lovely Me: The Life of Jacqueline Susann. Seven Stories Press. p. 360.
  6. "Brian Kelly - Actor in Flipper". The Independent. 25 March 2005. Retrieved 20 November 2012.
  7. "Brian Kelly Not Complaining About '2nd Billing'". Sioux City Journal. Iowa, Sioux City. Associated Press. December 5, 1965. p. 37. Retrieved May 12, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
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