Walter C. Kelly

Walter Charles Kelly (October 29, 1873 – January 6, 1939) was an American vaudeville comedian, monologist and actor. He toured for some years, billed as "The Virginia Judge", and was sometimes credited as Walter "Judge" Kelly.

Life and career Kelly was born in Mineville, New York, into an Irish-American family. He was the elder brother of Jack Kelly (Olympic gold medalist and father of actress Grace Kelly) and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright George Kelly. Walter was regarded as the "black sheep" of his family. After his family moved to Philadelphia, he rebelled against them, gambled and drank, and aged 20 went to work at the Huntington shipyards in Newport News, Virginia. He spent time observing at the local court, where judges gave summary justice to African Americans, generally poorly-educated, who were charged with various misdemeanours and felonies. After serving in the Spanish-American War, Kelly returned to Newport News and opened a cafe and gambling den.

He developed a talent for storytelling, drawing on the mannerisms and speech of the judges he had witnessed, and made his performing debut in New York City in 1900. His success led to theatre bookings and many tours on the vaudeville circuit. In 1904, he played in a sketch opposite Marie Dressler, which cemented his success and took him into the top rank of vaudeville performers. As "The Virginia Judge", he toured nationally and internationally and became a highly paid performer.