Actor. Born in Brooklyn, Kelly began his film career in 1911 as a child actor with Vitagraph Studios. He is believed to be the first male child actor to be given a starring role in an American film. Kelly's talking film debut came in the 1933 movie "Broadway Through a Keyhole." In 1927, Kelly was convicted of manslaughter in the death of actor Ray Raymond, the husband of his lover, film star Dorothy Mackaye. Kelly served 25 months in San Quentin. After his release, he married Mackaye and resumed his acting career, appearing in over 400 roles in movies, television, and on stage. After Mackaye's death in a car crash in 1940, Kelly married Claire Owen, an actress he met while filming "Flight Command." They were married until Kelly's death from a heart attack.
Actor. Born in Brooklyn, Kelly began his film career in 1911 as a child actor with Vitagraph Studios. He is believed to be the first male child actor to be given a starring role in an American film. Kelly's talking film debut came in the 1933 movie "Broadway Through a Keyhole." In 1927, Kelly was convicted of manslaughter in the death of actor Ray Raymond, the husband of his lover, film star Dorothy Mackaye. Kelly served 25 months in San Quentin. After his release, he married Mackaye and resumed his acting career, appearing in over 400 roles in movies, television, and on stage. After Mackaye's death in a car crash in 1940, Kelly married Claire Owen, an actress he met while filming "Flight Command." They were married until Kelly's death from a heart attack.
Bio by: Jennifer M.
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