Don O'Kelly
Don O'Kelly, (March 17, 1924 – 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. Background. 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; North 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). He saw active duty four years, three months, and 17 days and then went home. Kelly received an Honorable Discharge after the war and upon separation joined his cousin's ice skating show. O'Kelly used his GI Bill of Rights to study acting with the Strasberg company  in Hollywood, California. Career. 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. Personal life. Kelly and his wife, Ruth Kelly, had three sons. 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.