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
Hollywood High School is a four-year public secondary school in the Los Angeles Unified School District, located at the intersection of North Highland Avenue and West Sunset Boulevard in the Hollywood district of Los Angeles, California.
Histo ...
and attended
Santa Monica Junior College
Santa Monica College (SMC) is a public, community college in Santa Monica, California. Founded as a junior college in 1929, SMC enrolls over 30,000 students in more than 90 fields of study. Although initially serving primarily pre-college high s ...
for a year. His older brother, Thomas, acted in films briefly before going into a different career.
Career
Film
Kellard entered in Hollywood in 1937 in the film ''
Annapolis Salute'', directed by
Christy Cabanne
William Christy Cabanne (April 16, 1888 – October 15, 1950) was an American film director, screenwriter, and silent film actor.
Biography
Born in 1888, Cabanne (pronounced CAB-a-nay) started his career on stage as an actor and director. He a ...
. (Another source says, "Robert made his film debut in ... ''A Connecticut Yankee'' (1931)."
[)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
''While New York Sleeps'' is a 1920 American crime drama film produced by Fox Film Corporation and directed by Charles Brabin, who was the husband of actress Theda Bara. The film tells three distinct episodic stories using the same actors, Este ...
'', and supporting roles in '' Boy Friend'' and '' Here I Am a Stranger'', until he found the time to make two serials for Republic Pictures
Republic Pictures Corporation (currently held under Melange Pictures, LLC) was an American motion picture production-distribution corporation in operation from 1935 to 1967, that was based in Los Angeles. It had studio facilities in Studio City a ...
.
Although third billed, Kellard was ostensibly the hero in Republic’s adaptation of Sax Rohmer
Arthur Henry "Sarsfield" Ward (15 February 1883 – 1 June 1959), better known as Sax Rohmer, was an English novelist. He is best remembered for his series of novels featuring the master criminal Dr. Fu Manchu."Rohmer, Sax" by Jack Adrian in Da ...
’s '' Drums of Fu Manchu''. He followed this by playing the sidekick of Allan 'Rocky' Lane in the Zane Grey
Pearl Zane Grey (January 31, 1872 – October 23, 1939) was an American author and dentist. He is known for his popular adventure novels and stories associated with the Western genre in literature and the arts; he idealized the American fronti ...
comic strip based ''King of the Royal Mounted
''King of the Royal Mounted'' is an American comics series which debuted February 17, 1935 by Stephen Slesinger, based on popular Western writer Zane Grey's byline and marketed as ''Zane Grey's King of the Royal Mounted''. The series' protagonist i ...
''. Kellard then starred two serials for Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. is an American film production studio that is a member of the Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group, a division of Sony Pictures Entertainment, which is one of the Big Five studios and a subsidiary of the multi ...
, ''Perils of the Royal Mounted
''Perils of the Royal Mounted'' is a 1942 American Northern film. It was the 18th serial released by Columbia Pictures. It starred Robert Kellard (aka Robert Stevens) as the hero, Sgt. Mack MacLane of the Royal Mounties, and Kenneth MacDonald a ...
'' and '' Tex Granger'', and accepted supporting roles in the films ''Gilda
''Gilda'' is a 1946 American film noir directed by Charles Vidor and starring Rita Hayworth in her signature role and Glenn Ford. The film is known for cinematographer Rudolph Maté's lush photography, costume designer Jean Louis's wardrobe fo ...
'' and ''The Jolson Story
''The Jolson Story'' is a 1946 American musical biography film which purports to tell the life story of singer Al Jolson. It stars Larry Parks as Jolson, Evelyn Keyes as Julie Benson (approximating Jolson's wife, Ruby Keeler), William Demarest ...
''. He also displayed his comedic chops in several Three Stooges
The Three Stooges were an American vaudeville and comedy team active from 1922 until 1970, best remembered for their 190 short subject films by Columbia Pictures. Their hallmark styles were physical farce and slapstick. Six Stooges appear ...
comedies, such as ''Rhythm and Weep
''Rhythm and Weep'' is a 1946 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges ( Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Curly Howard). It is the 95th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring t ...
'', ''They Stooge to Conga
''They Stooge to Conga'' is a 1943 short subject directed by Del Lord starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Curly Howard). It is the 67th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring th ...
'' 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
Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. is an American film production studio that is a member of the Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group, a division of Sony Pictures Entertainment, which is one of the Big Five studios and a subsidiary of the multi ...
in 1942, the studio changed his name to Robert Stevens.
Stage
On Broadway
Broadway may refer to:
Theatre
* Broadway Theatre (disambiguation)
* Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S.
** Broadway (Manhattan), the street
**Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...
, Kellard performed in ''Mother Lode'' (1937) and ''Hitch Your Wagon'' (1937).
Television
Kellard made his last appearance in a 1951 episode of ABC's Western television series, ''The Lone Ranger
The Lone Ranger is a fictional masked former Texas Ranger who fought outlaws in the American Old West with his Native American friend Tonto. The character has been called an enduring icon of American culture.
He first appeared in 1933 in ...
''.
Personal life
Kellard's marriage to BeBe LaMonte ended in divorce in 1942.[
]
Death
Kellard died of post-obstructive pneumonia in the Wadsworth V.A. Medical center in Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the wo ...
, on January 13, 1981, at age 65.[
]
Selected filmography
* '' A Connecticut Yankee'' (1931)
* '' Annapolis Salute'' (1937) – Cadet
* ''Second Honeymoon
A honeymoon is a vacation taken by newlyweds immediately after their wedding, to celebrate their marriage. Today, honeymoons are often celebrated in destinations considered exotic or romantic. In a similar context, it may also refer to the phase ...
'' (1937) – Reporter (uncredited)
* '' Nothing Sacred'' (1937) – Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
* '' Change of Heart'' (1938) – Artist (uncredited)
* ''Walking Down Broadway
Walking Down Broadway is a 1938 American film drama made by Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation and directed by Norman Foster.
Plot
A quintet of New York City chorus girls plan a reunion for the one-year anniversary of their show's closing ...
'' (1938) – Bob Randall
* '' Island in the Sky'' (1938) – Peter Vincent
* ''Battle of Broadway
''Battle of Broadway'' is a 1938 American comedy film directed by George Marshall and written by Lou Breslow and John Patrick. The film stars Victor McLaglen, Brian Donlevy, Gypsy Rose Lee, Raymond Walburn, Lynn Bari and Jane Darwell. The film wa ...
'' (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
''While New York Sleeps'' is a 1920 American crime drama film produced by Fox Film Corporation and directed by Charles Brabin, who was the husband of actress Theda Bara. The film tells three distinct episodic stories using the same actors, Este ...
'' (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
''King of the Royal Mounted'' is an American comics series which debuted February 17, 1935 by Stephen Slesinger, based on popular Western writer Zane Grey's byline and marketed as ''Zane Grey's King of the Royal Mounted''. The series' protagonist i ...
'' (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
''Joe Smith, American'' is a 1942 American spy film directed by Richard Thorpe and stars Robert Young and Marsha Hunt.Nixon, Rob"Articles: 'Joe Smith American'."'' Turner Classic Movies''. Retrieved: September 21, 2016. The film, loosely based o ...
'' (1942) – Mel Lewis (uncredited)
* ''Hello, Annapolis
''Hello, Annapolis'' is a 1942 American film. Filming started January 1942.
Plot
Doris Henley (Jean Parker) attracts the attention of Bill Arden (Tom Brown) and Paul Herbert (Larry Parks). Arden and Herbert sign up at Annapolis Naval Academy in ...
'' (1942) – George Crandall
* ''Sweetheart of the Fleet
''Sweetheart of the Fleet'' is a 1942 American comedy film directed by Charles Barton and written by Albert Duffy, Maurice Tombragel and Ned Dandy. The film stars Joan Davis, Jinx Falkenburg, Joan Woodbury, Blanche Stewart, Elvia Allman and Wil ...
'' (1942) – Ens. George 'Tip' Landers
* ''Perils of the Royal Mounted
''Perils of the Royal Mounted'' is a 1942 American Northern film. It was the 18th serial released by Columbia Pictures. It starred Robert Kellard (aka Robert Stevens) as the hero, Sgt. Mack MacLane of the Royal Mounties, and Kenneth MacDonald a ...
'' (1942, Serial) – Sgt. Mack MacLane RCMP
* ''Parachute Nurse
''Parachute Nurse'' is a 1942 Columbia Pictures film about the Aerial Nurse Corps. The film was directed by Charles Barton.
Plot
Inspired by a visit from their old friend Lieutenant Mullins, an officer in the Aerial Nurse Corps, nurses Glenda W ...
'' (1942) – Minor Role (uncredited)
* ''My Sister Eileen
''My Sister Eileen'' is a series of autobiographical short stories by Ruth McKenney, originally published in ''The New Yorker'', which eventually inspired many other works: her 1938 book ''My Sister Eileen'', a play, a musical, a radio play (an ...
'' (1942) – Bus Driver (uncredited)
* ''The Spirit of Stanford
''The Spirit of Stanford'' is a 1942 American drama film directed by Charles Barton and written by Howard J. Green, William Brent and Nick Lukats. The film stars Frankie Albert, Marguerite Chapman, Matt Willis, Shirley Patterson, Kay Harris ...
'' (1942) – Cliff Bonnard
* ''Smith of Minnesota
''Smith of Minnesota'' is a 1942 American drama film directed by Lew Landers and written by Robert Hardy Andrews. The film stars Bruce Smith, Arline Judge, Warren Ashe, Don Beddoe, Kay Harris and Robert Kellard. The film was released on October ...
'' (1942) – George Smith
* ''Boston Blackie Goes Hollywood
''Boston Blackie Goes Hollywood'' is a 1942 American crime film, fourth of the fourteen Boston Blackie films of the 1940s Columbia's series of B pictures based on Jack Boyle's pulp-fiction character.
Plot summary
Boston Blackie (Chester Morri ...
'' (1942) – Ticket Clerk (uncredited)
* ''Pardon My Gun'' (1942) – Henchman (uncredited)
* ''The Fighting Buckaroo
''The Fighting Buckaroo'' is a 1943 American Western film directed by William Berke and starring Charles Starrett, Kay Harris and Arthur Hunnicutt.Pitts p.105
Plot
Cast
* Charles Starrett as Steve Harrison
* Kay Harris as Carol Comstock
* ...
'' (1943) – Fletch Thatcher (uncredited)
* ''Throw a Saddle on a Star
''Throw a Saddle on a Star'' is a 1946 American Western film directed by Ray Nazarro and written by J. Benton Cheney. The film stars Ken Curtis, Jeff Donnell, Adele Roberts, Guinn "Big Boy" Williams, Andy Clyde and Frank Sully. The film was rel ...
'' (1946) – Burton (uncredited)
* ''Gilda
''Gilda'' is a 1946 American film noir directed by Charles Vidor and starring Rita Hayworth in her signature role and Glenn Ford. The film is known for cinematographer Rudolph Maté's lush photography, costume designer Jean Louis's wardrobe fo ...
'' (1946) – Man at Masquerade (uncredited)
* ''Night Editor
''Night Editor'' is a 1946 B-movie
A B movie or B film is a low-budget commercial motion picture. In its original usage, during the Golden Age of Hollywood, the term more precisely identified films intended for distribution as the less-publ ...
'' (1946) – Doc Cochrane
* ''That Texas Jamboree
''That Texas Jamboree'' is a 1946 American Western film directed by Ray Nazarro and written by J. Benton Cheney. The film stars Ken Curtis, Jeff Donnell, Andy Clyde, Guinn "Big Boy" Williams, and Robert Kellard. The film was released on May 16, ...
'' (1946) – Henchman Tom
* ''The Return of Rusty
''The Return of Rusty'' is a 1946 American drama film directed by William Castle and starring Ted Donaldson, John Litel and Mark Dennis. It was the second in the eight part Rusty film series produced by Columbia Pictures.Blottnerp.280
Cast
* Ted ...
'' (1946) – Sgt. Jack Beals
* '' The Unknown'' (1946) – James Wetherford
* '' Sing While You Dance'' (1946) – Buzz Nelson
* ''The Jolson Story
''The Jolson Story'' is a 1946 American musical biography film which purports to tell the life story of singer Al Jolson. It stars Larry Parks as Jolson, Evelyn Keyes as Julie Benson (approximating Jolson's wife, Ruby Keeler), William Demarest ...
'' (1946) – Henry – Orchestra Leader
* ''Lone Star Moonlight
''Lone Star Moonlight'' is a 1946 American Western film directed by Ray Nazarro and written by Louise Rousseau. The film stars Ken Curtis, Joan Barton, Guy Kibbee, Robert Kellard, Claudia Drake and Arthur Loft. It was released on December 12 ...
'' (1946) – Eddie Jackson
* ''Blondie's Big Moment
''Blondie's Big Moment'' is a 1947 American comedy film directed by Abby Berlin and starring Penny Singleton, Arthur Lake, Larry Simms, and Marjorie Ann Mutchie. It is the 19th of the 28 Blondie films.
Plot
Dagwood is eager to make a good im ...
'' (1947) – Joe (uncredited)
* '' The Thirteenth Hour'' (1947) – Truck Driver (uncredited)
* ''The Lone Hand Texan
''The Lone Hand Texan'' is a 1947 American Western musical film directed by Ray Nazarro and starring Charles Starrett, Mustard, Gravy, Smiley Burnette, John Cason, and George Chesebro. The film was released by Columbia Pictures on March 6, 194 ...
'' (1947) – Boomer Kildea (uncredited)
* ''Millie's Daughter
''Millie's Daughter'' is a 1947 American drama film directed by Sidney Salkow, from a screenplay by Edward Huebsch, based on the novel of the same name by Donald Henderson Clarke. The film stars Gladys George, Gay Nelson, and Paul Campbell (Ameri ...
'' (1947) – Hotel Clerk (uncredited)
* '' Framed'' (1947) – Man in Coffee Shop (uncredited)
* ''The Millerson Case
''The Millerson Case'' is a 1947 American mystery drama film directed by George Archainbaud and starring Warner Baxter, Nancy Saunders and Clem Bevans. In the 8th film of Columbia's '' Crime Doctor'' series, Dr. Robert Ordway (Warner Baxter) is ...
'' (1947) – Dr. Prescott
* ''The Corpse Came C.O.D.
''The Corpse Came C.O.D.'' is a 1947 American comedy-mystery film directed by Henry Levin, produced by Samuel Bischoff and starring George Brent and Joan Blondell. The comedic mystery is notable for featuring cameos by Hollywood gossip columnist ...
'' (1947) – Reporter (uncredited)
* '' Roses Are Red'' (1947) – Interne
* '' Tex Granger: Midnight Rider of the Plains'' (1948) – Tex Granger, The Night Rider
* ''The Argyle Secrets
''The Argyle Secrets'' is a 1948 American film noir mystery thriller written and directed by Cy Endfield and starring William Gargan and Marjorie Lord. It was based on a half-hour radio play by Endfield, originally heard on CBS's ''Suspense''. T ...
'' (1948) – Melvin Rubin – Cop
* '' Canon City'' (1948) – Officer Winston R. Williams
* ''Bride of Vengeance
''Bride of Vengeance'' is a 1949 adventure film set in the Italian Renaissance era, directed by Mitchell Leisen.
Plot
Lucrezia Borgia's brother Cesare Borgia has her second husband Prince Bisceglie killed in order to marry her to Alfonso ...
'' (1949) – Guard (uncredited)
* ''Too Late for Tears
''Too Late for Tears'' is a 1949 film noir directed by Byron Haskin and starring Lizabeth Scott, Arthur Kennedy, Dan Duryea, and Don DeFore. It concerns a ruthless femme fatale's murderous attempt to hold on to a suitcase containing US$60,000 ( ...
'' (1949) – Policeman (uncredited)
* ''Red, Hot and Blue
''Red, Hot and Blue'' is a stage musical with music and lyrics by Cole Porter and a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. It premiered on Broadway in 1936 and introduced the popular song " It's De-Lovely," sung by Ethel Merman and Bob H ...
'' (1949) – Police Switchboard Operator (uncredited)
References
External links
*
Robert Kellard
a
threestooges.net
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kellard, Robert
American male film actors
American male television actors
1915 births
1981 deaths
Male actors from Los Angeles
20th-century American male actors