Don O'Kelly, (March 17, 1924 â€" October 2, 1966) was an American
actor prominent in the 1950s and 1960s mostly on television. Though
credited as "Don Kelly" in earlier performances, his billing was
changed to "Don O'Kelly" in 1960. Donald Patrick Kelly was born at
Sheepshead Bay in Brooklyn, New York to an Irish-American father
Robert J. Kelly and Norwegian-American mother Rachel Marie Knudsen.
Don Kelly enlisted in the United States Navy on June 17, 1941 just
prior to World War II and saw active duty aboard the USS Stanton and
USS Palmer. He saw convoy duty at San Juan, Puerto Rico; Iceland;
England; Scotland; Africa (Invasion), the European Theater; Africa;
Italy; convoy duty to Scotland; Africa; Iceland; Southern France
(Invasion) through Channel into Pacific and then on to the Carolinas;
Siapan; Tinian; Marshalls; Gilbert; Iwo Jima; Okinawa, and the Sea of
Japan (when World War II ended). Kelly saw active duty four years,
three months, and 17 days and then went home. Don Kelly received an
Honorable Discharge after the war and upon separation joined his
cousin's ice skating show. O'Kelly née Kelly used his GI Bill of
Rights to study acting with the Strasberg company in Hollywood, CA.Don
O'Kelly began his career starring in Tank Battalion with Marjorie
Hellen (later Leslie Parrish). O'Kelly was a familiar face to series
television fans during the 1950s and 1960s. His last starring role was
in The Hostage, made in 1966 and released in 1967, for which he
received very favorable reviews. Don O'Kelly aka Don Kelly was
married to Ruthie Kelly. They had three sons, Michael David Kelly
(deceased April 22, 2016 of natural causes. Michael died in his sleep)
Michael had three children Elizabeth Kelly (who birthed grandson
Tristen), Alex Kelly and Ruby; Brent Robert Kelly married Rhonda and
had three children: Lori Kelly married Zach Allen; Nicholas Simon
Kelly married Melinda and Elisa Kelly. Raymond Joseph Kelly married
and also has three children: Carissa Mae Kelly Jenkins who birthed
Daysia and Jaylen Jenkins; Heather Kelly Weathers birthed Raegan; and
Maria Kelly. Don Kelly died of stomach cancer in Culver City,
California shortly after "The Hostage" was released and just prior to
leaving on a national tour promoting the film.
actor prominent in the 1950s and 1960s mostly on television. Though
credited as "Don Kelly" in earlier performances, his billing was
changed to "Don O'Kelly" in 1960. Donald Patrick Kelly was born at
Sheepshead Bay in Brooklyn, New York to an Irish-American father
Robert J. Kelly and Norwegian-American mother Rachel Marie Knudsen.
Don Kelly enlisted in the United States Navy on June 17, 1941 just
prior to World War II and saw active duty aboard the USS Stanton and
USS Palmer. He saw convoy duty at San Juan, Puerto Rico; Iceland;
England; Scotland; Africa (Invasion), the European Theater; Africa;
Italy; convoy duty to Scotland; Africa; Iceland; Southern France
(Invasion) through Channel into Pacific and then on to the Carolinas;
Siapan; Tinian; Marshalls; Gilbert; Iwo Jima; Okinawa, and the Sea of
Japan (when World War II ended). Kelly saw active duty four years,
three months, and 17 days and then went home. Don Kelly received an
Honorable Discharge after the war and upon separation joined his
cousin's ice skating show. O'Kelly née Kelly used his GI Bill of
Rights to study acting with the Strasberg company in Hollywood, CA.Don
O'Kelly began his career starring in Tank Battalion with Marjorie
Hellen (later Leslie Parrish). O'Kelly was a familiar face to series
television fans during the 1950s and 1960s. His last starring role was
in The Hostage, made in 1966 and released in 1967, for which he
received very favorable reviews. Don O'Kelly aka Don Kelly was
married to Ruthie Kelly. They had three sons, Michael David Kelly
(deceased April 22, 2016 of natural causes. Michael died in his sleep)
Michael had three children Elizabeth Kelly (who birthed grandson
Tristen), Alex Kelly and Ruby; Brent Robert Kelly married Rhonda and
had three children: Lori Kelly married Zach Allen; Nicholas Simon
Kelly married Melinda and Elisa Kelly. Raymond Joseph Kelly married
and also has three children: Carissa Mae Kelly Jenkins who birthed
Daysia and Jaylen Jenkins; Heather Kelly Weathers birthed Raegan; and
Maria Kelly. Don Kelly died of stomach cancer in Culver City,
California shortly after "The Hostage" was released and just prior to
leaving on a national tour promoting the film.
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