Brian Kelly (February 14, 1931 – February 12, 2005) was an American actor and producer widely known for his role as Porter Ricks, the widowed father of two sons on the NBCtelevision seriesFlipper.
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
In 1966, Kelly married actress Laura Devon[7] In 1972, he married Valerie Ann Romero.[8]
On February 12, 2005, two days before his 74th birthday, Kelly died of pneumonia in Voorhees, New Jersey. He was survived by his daughter, Hallie, and his son, Devon, and extended family including two brothers, two sisters, and a granddaughter.[9]
