Mike Kellin
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Mike Kellin (1922-1983) was an American actor. He was born Myron Kellin in Hartford, Connecticut on April 26, 1922. He was educated at Boston University and Trinity College. He served with the Navy as a Lieutenant Commander during World War II and after the war studied acting and playwriting at the Yale School of Drama. He died on August 26, 1983 of cancer in Nyack, New York at the age of 61.
He was married to actress Sally Moffat, daughter of Sylvia Field Truex of an earlier marriage. He was also active in the Fortune Society, a prisoner's rights group.
Kellin was a solid actor who was most enjoyable to watch. His coarse-featured face, tired eyes and flat, monotone voice suggested that he had lived hard and fast. He was most often cast as tough guys, both good and evil. His portrayals were fascinating and memorable. He worked in some 50 plays and won an Obie Award for his work in American Buffalo. He made his Broadway debut in 1949 in At War With the Army and eventually earned a Tony nomination in 1956 for his acting in the Musical Pipe Dream.
[edit] Film credits
- At War With The Army (1950) as Sgt. McVey
- Hurricane Smith (1952) as Dicer
- Lonelyhearts (1959) as Frank Goldsmith
- Wackiest Ship in the Army (1960) as Chief Mate MacCarthy
- The Great Impostor (1960) with Tony Curtis, as Thompson
- Hell Is for Heroes (1962) as Pvt. Kolinsky
- The Boston Strangler (1968) as Julian Soshnick
- Riot (1969) as Bugsy
- The People Next Door (1970) as Dr. Margolin
- Fools Parade (1971) as Steve Mystic
- Freebie and the Bean (1974) as Lt. Rosen
- Midnight Express (1978) as Mr. Hayes
- The Jazz Singer (1980) as Leo
- Just Before Dawn (1981) as Ty
- Sleepaway Camp (1983) as Mel, his final film.
[edit] Television credits
He was very active in television and was a regular on:
- Bonino (1953) as Rusty
- Honestly Celeste (1954) as Marty Gordon
- The Wackiest Ship in the Army (1965-66) as C.P.O. Willie Miller
- Seventh Avenue a mini-series (1977) as Morris Blackman
- Fitz and Bones (1981) as Robert Whitmore
He also appeared in made-for-TV movies including:
- Assignment: Munich (1972)
- The Connection (1973)
- F.D.R.: the Last Year (1980) as Andre Gromyko
He guested on series including:
