Barry Kelley

Edward Barry Kelley (August 19, 1908 – June 5, 1991) was an American actor on Broadway in the 1930s and 1940s and in films during the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s. The heavy-set actor created the role of Ike in Oklahoma! on Broadway. A popular figure in film noir and crime films, he appeared in over 15 such pictures. His large size and acting range had him playing shyster lawyers, judges, detectives, and police officers.

Early years The 6'4", 230-pound Kelley was born in Chicago, Illinois, and attended the Goodman School of Drama at the Art Institute of Chicago (now at DePaul University).

Stage Kelley began acting on the stage in the 1930s. His Broadway credits include Within the Gates (1934–1935), Parnell (1935–1936), Saint Joan (1936), Hamlet (1936–1937), The Wingless Victory (1936–1937), The Star-Wagon (1937–1938), Mamba's Daughters (1940), Strip for Action (1942–1943), Oklahoma! (1943–1948), Loco (1946), Wonderful Journey (1946–1947), and Portrait in Black (1947).

Film In films, Kelley often portrayed cops or judges in films, including Boomerang (his first film in 1947), Knock on Any Door, Ma and Pa Kettle, and The Asphalt Jungle. Kelley had an uncredited role as a police chief in the 1964 Frank Sinatra musical Robin and the 7 Hoods.

Television Kelley also appeared in dozens of television series. As in the movies, he was usually in westerns or crime dramas. In 1954 he appeared in a TV episode of The Lone Ranger entitled Texas Draw.

In 1959, Kelley appeared as Josh Teller on Lawman in the episode titled "The Outsider." He portrayed the recurring character Jim Rafferty in five episodes of the 1960–1961 situation comedy The Tom Ewell Show. In 1961 he appeared as Governor Johnson on the TV western Lawman in the episode titled "Owny O'Reilly."

In 1961, Kelley played Mr. Slocum, the boss of insurance agent Pete Porter, in six episodes of the CBS situation comedy, Pete and Gladys, starring Harry Morgan and Cara Williams. Also in 1961, he played "Danceman" in the episode "Everyman" in Have Gun-Will Travel, plus as villain Frank Williams in the episode "Ledger of Guilt" in Bat Masterson. Other western series he appeared in during this period included: Tales of Wells Fargo, Wanted: Dead or Alive, Laramie and Bronco. Kelley guest starred three times in the western television series Bonanza between 1959 and 1965, playing different roles. He played Judge Bryant in the episode "Trial at Tablerock" in Have Gun - Will Travel. He also appeared occasionally as Alan Young's father-in-law on the situation comedy Mister Ed (1961–1966).

In 1964, he portrayed Hurley Feasel in the episode "Kate Flat on Her Back" of the CBS sitcom Petticoat Junction; in the credits of that episode his last name was spelled "Kelly." In 1966 he played Park Milgrave in the Perry Mason episode, "The Case of the Fanciful Frail." He portrayed a mayor on Rango in 1967 in the episode ""If You Can't Take It with You, Don't Go."

Kelley's last television role was as Sheriff Vic Crandall in three more episodes of Petticoat Junction in 1967 and 1968.

Death Kelley died in 1991 at the age of 82 in Woodland Hills, California.

Broadway roles

Within the Gates (1934) as the gardener Parnell (1935) as first leader The Wingless Victory (1936) as Happy Penny The Star-Wagon (1937) as first thug

Selected filmography

Boomerang (1947) - Desk Sgt. Dugan (uncredited) Force of Evil (1948) - Det. Egan Knock on Any Door (1949) - Judge Drake The Undercover Man (1949) - Attorney Edward J. O'Rourke Ma and Pa Kettle (1949) - Mr. Victor Tomkins Mr. Belvedere Goes to College (1949) - Police Sgt. Griggs Too Late for Tears (1949) - Police Lt. Breach Johnny Stool Pigeon (1949) - William McCandles Red, Hot and Blue (1949) - Lt. Gorman Fighting Man of the Plains (1949) - Slocum The File on Thelma Jordon (1950) - District Attorney Melvin Pierce Singing Guns (1950) - Mike Murphy Black Hand (1950) - Police Capt. Thompson Wabash Avenue (1950) - Sam - Bouncer The Capture (1950) - Mahoney Love That Brute (1950) - Burly Lieutenant The Asphalt Jungle (1950) - Lt. Ditrich 711 Ocean Drive (1950) - Vince Walters The Killer That Stalked New York (1950) - Treasury Agent Johnson Right Cross (1950) - Allan Goff Southside 1-1000 (1950) - Bill Evans The Great Missouri Raid (1951) - Mr. Bauer Francis Goes to the Races (1951) - Roy Square Deal Mallory Flying Leathernecks (1951) - Brigadier General The Well (1951) - Sam Packard Carrie (1952) - Slawson Woman of the North Country (1952) - O'Hara Back at the Front (1952) - Brig. Gen. Dixon Law and Order (1953) - Fin Elder Remains to Be Seen (1953) - Lt. O'Flair South Sea Woman (1953) - Col. Hickman Vice Squad (1953) - Dwight Foreman Champ for a Day (1953) - Tom Healy The Long Wait (1954) - Tucker The Shanghai Story (1954) - Ricki Dolmine Women's Prison (1955) - Warden Brock New York Confidential (1955) - Robert Frawley Trial (1955) - Jim Brackett Accused of Murder (1956) - Police Capt. Art Smedley The Wings of Eagles (1957) - Capt. Jock Clark Monkey on My Back (1957) - Big Ralph The Joker Is Wild (1957) - Captain Hugh McCarthy The Tall Stranger (1957) - Hardy Bishop Gunfire at Indian Gap (1957) - Sheriff Daniel Harris Buchanan Rides Alone (1958) - Lew Agry The Buccaneer (1958) - Commodore Patterson Ice Palace (1960) - Einer Wendt Elmer Gantry (1960) - Police Capt. Holt The Police Dog Story (1961) - Officer Bert Dana Secret of Deep Harbor (1961) - Milo Fowler The Clown and the Kid (1961) - Barker Jack the Giant Killer (1962) - Sigurd The Manchurian Candidate (1962) - Secretary of Defense Robin and the 7 Hoods (1964) - Police Chief Oscar C. Brockton (uncredited) Rio Conchos (1964) - Croupier How to Murder Your Wife (1965) - Club Member in Steam Room Boy, Did I Get a Wrong Number! (1966) - 'D.G.', Movie Studio Boss (uncredited) The Love Bug (1968) - Police Sgt. The Extraordinary Seaman (1969) - Adm. Barnwell (final film role)