Barry Kelley


Edward Barry Kelley 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. His large size and acting range had him playing primarily 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.

Stage

Kelley began acting on the stage in the 1930s. His Broadway credits include Within the Gates, Parnell, Saint Joan, Hamlet, The Wingless Victory, The Star-Wagon, Mamba's Daughters, Strip for Action, Oklahoma!, Loco, Wonderful Journey, and Portrait in Black.

Film

In films, Kelley often portrayed cops or judges in films, including Boomerang, Knock on Any Door, Ma and Pa Kettle, and The Asphalt Jungle. One of his best roles was as the good-bad half brother of Joel McCrea in The Tall Stranger. 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.
In 1962, Kelley played Captain Donovan in the episode "The Parish Car" of the ABC drama series, Going My Way, starring Gene Kelly. 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.
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 as the gardenerParnell as first leaderThe Wingless Victory as Happy PennyThe Star-Wagon as first thug

Selected filmography

Boomerang - Desk Sgt. Dugan Force of Evil - Det. EganKnock on Any Door - Judge DrakeThe Undercover Man - Attorney Edward J. O'RourkeMa and Pa Kettle - Mr. Victor TomkinsMr. Belvedere Goes to College - Police Sgt. GriggsToo Late for Tears - Police Lt. BreachJohnny Stool Pigeon - William McCandlesRed, Hot and Blue - Lt. GormanFighting Man of the Plains - SlocumThe File on Thelma Jordon - District Attorney Melvin PierceSinging Guns - Mike MurphyBlack Hand - Police Capt. ThompsonWabash Avenue - Sam - BouncerThe Capture - MahoneyLove That Brute - Burly LieutenantThe Asphalt Jungle - Lt. Ditrich711 Ocean Drive - Vince WaltersThe Killer That Stalked New York - Treasury Agent JohnsonRight Cross - Allan GoffSouthside 1-1000 - Bill EvansThe Great Missouri Raid - Mr. BauerFrancis Goes to the Races - Roy Square Deal MalloryFlying Leathernecks - Brigadier GeneralThe Well - Sam Packard Carrie - SlawsonWoman of the North Country - O'HaraBack at the Front - Brig. Gen. DixonLaw and Order - Fin ElderRemains to Be Seen - Lt. O'FlairSouth Sea Woman - Col. HickmanVice Squad - Dwight ForemanChamp for a Day - Tom HealyThe Long Wait - TuckerThe Shanghai Story - Ricki DolmineWomen's Prison - Warden BrockNew York Confidential - Robert FrawleyTrial - Jim BrackettAccused of Murder - Police Capt. Art SmedleyThe Wings of Eagles - Capt. Jock ClarkMonkey on My Back - Big RalphThe Joker Is Wild - Captain Hugh McCarthyThe Tall Stranger - Hardy BishopGunfire at Indian Gap - Sheriff Daniel HarrisBuchanan Rides Alone - Lew AgryThe Buccaneer - Commodore PattersonIce Palace - Einer WendtElmer Gantry - Police Capt. HoltThe Police Dog Story - Officer Bert DanaSecret of Deep Harbor - Milo FowlerThe Clown and the Kid - BarkerJack the Giant Killer - SigurdThe Manchurian Candidate - Secretary of DefenseRobin and the 7 Hoods - Police Chief Oscar C. Brockton Rio Conchos - CroupierHow to Murder Your Wife - Club Member in Steam RoomBoy, Did I Get a Wrong Number! - 'D.G.', Movie Studio Boss The Love Bug - Police Sgt.The Extraordinary Seaman - Adm. Barnwell