Actor. Born in Bayonne, New Jersey, he was the son of actor Robert Keith and actress Helena Shipman. He grew up on the road with his parents who toured in plays. His first film was in 1924 at age 3 in "Pied Piper Malone." His parents divorced, and his father went to Hollywood and started his television and movie career. His mother continued to do stage and radio, and her mother and grandmother helped to raise Brian on Long Island. He read at a very early age and was reading books way beyond his age level. He acted in radio programs and on stage. He worked as an extra in several films before his speaking roles and subsequent stardom. He joined the Marines and was a machine gunner. He served from 1941-1945 and was awarded the Air Navy Medal. He then returned to New York and started his acting career on Broadway with the plays, "Mr. Roberts" and "The Moon is Blue." His biggest break came in 1966 when he landed the role of "Uncle Bill" on the popular television situation comedy "Family Affair," a role which garnered him three Emmy nominations for Best Actor. The show made him a household name. He went on to star in such television series as "The Brian Keith Show," "Heartland," and "Hardcastle and McCormick." He also made over 60 movies in his career. He was married three times, first to Frances Helm; then, in 1955, to Judith Landon; and finally, in 1970, to Hawaiian actress Victoria Young. He fathered a total of four children, but also adopted three others with Judith Landon. His first son died in childhood. One of his children with Victoria Young was Daisy Keith, who also became an actress, appearing with her father in the short-lived series "Heartland" in 1989. During the later part of his life, he suffered from emphysema and lung cancer. He was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the age of 75. He is buried next to his daughter, Daisy, who also committed suicide just 2 months earlier.
Actor. Born in Bayonne, New Jersey, he was the son of actor Robert Keith and actress Helena Shipman. He grew up on the road with his parents who toured in plays. His first film was in 1924 at age 3 in "Pied Piper Malone." His parents divorced, and his father went to Hollywood and started his television and movie career. His mother continued to do stage and radio, and her mother and grandmother helped to raise Brian on Long Island. He read at a very early age and was reading books way beyond his age level. He acted in radio programs and on stage. He worked as an extra in several films before his speaking roles and subsequent stardom. He joined the Marines and was a machine gunner. He served from 1941-1945 and was awarded the Air Navy Medal. He then returned to New York and started his acting career on Broadway with the plays, "Mr. Roberts" and "The Moon is Blue." His biggest break came in 1966 when he landed the role of "Uncle Bill" on the popular television situation comedy "Family Affair," a role which garnered him three Emmy nominations for Best Actor. The show made him a household name. He went on to star in such television series as "The Brian Keith Show," "Heartland," and "Hardcastle and McCormick." He also made over 60 movies in his career. He was married three times, first to Frances Helm; then, in 1955, to Judith Landon; and finally, in 1970, to Hawaiian actress Victoria Young. He fathered a total of four children, but also adopted three others with Judith Landon. His first son died in childhood. One of his children with Victoria Young was Daisy Keith, who also became an actress, appearing with her father in the short-lived series "Heartland" in 1989. During the later part of his life, he suffered from emphysema and lung cancer. He was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the age of 75. He is buried next to his daughter, Daisy, who also committed suicide just 2 months earlier.
Bio by: Jane Stacy Eubanks
Inscription
Brian Keith
1921 - 1997
Family Members
Half Siblings
Advertisement
See more Keith memorials in:
Records on Ancestry
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
