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Robert Kellard
Robert Kellard
	Robert Kellard (far right) fires The Three Stooges from their job in 1946's Rhythm and Weep
Born	Robert Dorsey Kellard; April 23, 1915; Los Angeles, California
Died	January 13, 1981 (aged 65); Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Other names	Bob Kellard; Robert Stephens; Robert Stevens
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1937–1951
Spouse	BeBe 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

A Connecticut Yankee (1931)
Annapolis Salute (1937) – Cadet
Second Honeymoon (1937) – Reporter (uncredited)
Nothing Sacred (1937) – Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
Change of Heart (1938) – Artist (uncredited)
Walking Down Broadway (1938) – Bob Randall
Island in the Sky (1938) – Peter Vincent
Battle of Broadway (1938) – Jack Bundy
Josette (1938) – Reporter
Gateway (1938) – Reporter (uncredited)
My Lucky Star (1938) – Pennell
Time Out for Murder (1938) – Johnny Martin
Always in Trouble (1938) – Pete Graham
While New York Sleeps (1938) – Malcolm Hunt
Wife, Husband and Friend (1939) – Bank Teller (uncredited)
Boy Friend (1939) – Tommy Bradley
Stop, Look and Love (1939) – Dick Grant
Here I Am a Stranger (1939) – College Student
Drums of Fu Manchu (1940, Serial) – Allan Parker
King of the Royal Mounted (1940, Serial) – Tom Merritt, Jr.
Phantom of Chinatown (1940) – Tommy Dean
Prairie Pioneers (1941) – Roberto Ortega
Down in San Diego (1941) – Bell Captain (uncredited)
Gentleman from Dixie (1941) – Lance Terrill
Escort Girl (1941) – Drake Hamilton
Shadow of the Thin Man (1941) – Policeman (uncredited)
Man from Headquarters (1942) – Hotel Clerk
Joe Smith, American (1942) – Mel Lewis (uncredited)
Hello, Annapolis (1942) – George Crandall
Sweetheart of the Fleet (1942) – Ens. George 'Tip' Landers
Perils of the Royal Mounted (1942, Serial) – Sgt. Mack MacLane RCMP
Parachute Nurse (1942) – Minor Role (uncredited)
My Sister Eileen (1942) – Bus Driver (uncredited)
The Spirit of Stanford (1942) – Cliff Bonnard
Smith of Minnesota (1942) – George Smith
Boston Blackie Goes Hollywood (1942) – Ticket Clerk (uncredited)
Pardon My Gun (1942) – Henchman (uncredited)
The Fighting Buckaroo (1943) – Fletch Thatcher (uncredited)
Throw a Saddle on a Star (1946) – Burton (uncredited)
Gilda (1946) – Man at Masquerade (uncredited)
Night Editor (1946) – Doc Cochrane
That Texas Jamboree (1946) – Henchman Tom
The Return of Rusty (1946) – Sgt. Jack Beals
The Unknown (1946) – James Wetherford
Sing While You Dance (1946) – Buzz Nelson
The Jolson Story (1946) – Henry – Orchestra Leader
Lone Star Moonlight (1946) – Eddie Jackson
Blondie's Big Moment (1947) – Joe (uncredited)
The Thirteenth Hour (1947) – Truck Driver (uncredited)
The Lone Hand Texan (1947) – Boomer Kildea (uncredited)
Millie's Daughter (1947) – Hotel Clerk (uncredited)
Framed (1947) – Man in Coffee Shop (uncredited)
The Millerson Case (1947) – Dr. Prescott
The Corpse Came C.O.D. (1947) – Reporter (uncredited)
Roses Are Red (1947) – Interne
Tex Granger: Midnight Rider of the Plains (1948) – Tex Granger, The Night Rider
The Argyle Secrets (1948) – Melvin Rubin – Cop
Canon City (1948) – Officer Winston R. Williams
Bride of Vengeance (1949) – Guard (uncredited)
Too Late for Tears (1949) – Policeman (uncredited)
Red, Hot and Blue (1949) – Police Switchboard Operator (uncredited)

References

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