Robert Kellard

For other people with the same name, see Robert Stevens (disambiguation).
Robert Kellard
Robert Kellard (far right) fires The Three Stooges from their job in 1946's Rhythm and Weep
Born
Robert Dorsey Kellard

(1915-04-23)April 23, 1915
Los Angeles, California
DiedJanuary 13, 1981(1981-01-13) (aged 65)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Other namesBob Kellard
Robert Stephens
Robert Stevens
OccupationActor
Years active1937–1951
SpouseBeBe LaMonte (? – 1942) divorce

Robert Kellard, aka Robert Stevens (April 23, 1915 – January 13, 1981), was an American actor who appeared in over 60 films between 1937 and 1951.

Early years

Kellard was born Robert Dorsey Kellard April 23, 1915, in Los Angeles, California. His father, Ralph Kellard (1884–1955), was also an actor.

Robert Kellard graduated from Hollywood High School and attended Santa Monica Junior College for a year. His older brother, Thomas, acted in films briefly before going into a different career.[1]

Career

Film

Kellard entered in Hollywood in 1937 in the film Annapolis Salute, directed by Christy Cabanne. (Another source says, "Robert made his film debut in ... A Connecticut Yankee (1931)."[1])After that, he bounced back and forth from starring roles in low-budget films like Island in the Sky, Time Out for Murder, While New York Sleeps, and supporting roles in Boy Friend and Here I Am a Stranger, until he found the time to make two serials for Republic Pictures.

Although third billed, Kellard was ostensibly the hero in Republic’s adaptation of Sax Rohmer’s Drums of Fu Manchu. He followed this by playing the sidekick of Allan 'Rocky' Lane in the Zane Grey comic strip based King of the Royal Mounted. Kellard then starred two serials for Columbia Pictures, Perils of the Royal Mounted and Tex Granger.

He enlisted in the US Navy in 1942 and returned to Columbia in 1946, accepting supporting roles in the films Gilda and The Jolson Story. He also displayed his comedic chops in several Three Stooges comedies, such as Rhythm and Weep, They Stooge to Conga and Squareheads of the Round Table. His best known role with the Stooges was that of the menacing pirate Black Louie in Three Little Pirates.

After Kellard signed a contract with Columbia Pictures in 1942, the studio changed his name to Robert Stevens.[2]

Stage

On Broadway, Kellard performed in Mother Lode (1937) and Hitch Your Wagon (1937).[3]

Television

Kellard made his last appearance in a 1951 episode of ABC's Western television series, The Lone Ranger.

Personal life

Kellard's marriage to BeBe LaMonte ended in divorce in 1942. His nephews, Rick and Phil Kellard are both television writers and producers.[1]

Death

Kellard died of post-obstructive pneumonia in the Wadsworth V.A. Medical center in Los Angeles, California, on January 13, 1981, at age 65.[1]

Selected filmography

References

  1. ^ a b c d Wagner, Laura (Fall 2015). "Robert Kellard: Hunky Hero". Films of the Golden Age (82): 48–49.
  2. ^ "(untitled brief)". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. February 24, 1942. p. 4. Retrieved November 2, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  3. ^ "Robert Kellard". Playbill Vault. Retrieved 2 November 2015.