Gerard Kelly
| Gerard Kelly | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Paul Kelly[1] 27 May 1959 Glasgow, Scotland, UK |
| Died | 28 October 2010 (aged 51) |
| Other names | Gerry Kelly[1] |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1971–2010 |
Paul "Gerard" Kelly (27 May 1959 – 28 October 2010) was a Scottish actor who appeared in many comedies, most notably in City Lights, Rab C Nesbitt, and Scotch and Wry.[2] He had more serious roles, including PC David Gallagher in Juliet Bravo (1982), villain Jimmy in EastEnders (1994) and the villainous Callum Finnegan on Brookside (1997–2000). He is perhaps best known, however, for his starring role in City Lights as the hapless would-be author Willie Melvin which ran for six series, several Christmas specials and two stage tours from 1986 to 1992.
Film appearances
He had a small part in the 1987 critically acclaimed film Comic Strip Presents... Mr Jolly Lives Next Door.
Television appearances
In 1983, he was featured in "Killer", the pilot episode of crime drama series Taggart.[3]
Between 2005 and 2007 he appeared in Ricky Gervais's comedy Extras as Ian "Bunny" Bunton.[4]
From 2007 to 2010 he appeared regularly as Father Henderson, a camp Doctor Who-loving priest in the award-winning BBC Radio 4 comedy Fags, Mags and Bags. The role has not been re-cast, with the 2011 series referring to Father Henderson's move to another parish, noting that the new priest can never replace him.[4]
Stage performances
In 1994 he played Felix Ungar in a Scottish touring production of The Odd Couple, relocated to modern-day Glasgow, alongside Craig Ferguson as Oscar Madison. He reprised the role at the 2002 Edinburgh Fringe, opposite his former City Lights co-star Andy Gray.
In 2006 and 2007 he directed and starred in a Scottish play called Rikki and Me, celebrating the life of comedian Rikki Fulton, in which he played the role of Jack Milroy.[5]
Gerard played "The Narrator" in The Rocky Horror Show in Edinburgh and Aberdeen from 21 June to 3 July 2010. He was due to revive this performance for one week at the King's Theatre, Glasgow from 8 November till 13 November 2010.[6]
Kelly was well known for his appearances in pantomime at the King's Theatre, crowned the king of panto he headlined the show for 20 years. In 2008, he appeared in Cinderella,[7] and the following year (2009/10), he starred in Aladdin; this was to be his last pantomime.
Death and tribute
Kelly was due to star in the 2010/11 production of Snow White but died on 28 October 2010, at the West Middlesex University Hospital in Isleworth,[8][9] after collapsing with a brain aneurysm.[10]
On New Year's Eve 2010 BBC1 Scotland broadcast an hour-long tribute to the star, Gerard Kelly: A Celebration.[11]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Brian Beacom (30 October 2010). "Gerard Kelly; actor". Herald Scotland. Retrieved 2012-03-03.
- ↑ http://www.whatsonstage.com/blogs/scotland/?p=555
- ↑ "Take Five | STV entertainment". Entertainment.stv.tv. Retrieved 2012-03-03.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Mark Fisher (2 November 2010). "Gerard Kelly obituary | Stage". The Guardian. Retrieved 2012-03-03.
- ↑ "Actor Gerard Kelly dies after sudden illness | Glasgow and West | STV News". News.stv.tv. 29 October 2010. Retrieved 2012-03-03.
- ↑ "The Rocky Horror Show | UK Tour". Rockyhorror.co.uk. Retrieved 2012-03-03.
- ↑ "Panto stars show off Cinderella in a Glasgow shop window | STV Video". Video.stv.tv. Retrieved 2012-03-03.
- ↑ Actor Gerard Kelly dies after collapse
- ↑ Isleworth star of TV and stage Gerard Kelly dies
- ↑ "Gerard Kelly is Aladdin's best pal | On Stage: Latest News | STV Entertainment". Entertainment.stv.tv. 18 December 2009. Retrieved 2012-03-03.
- ↑ "BBC One - Gerard Kelly: A Celebration". Bbc.co.uk. 31 December 2010. Retrieved 2012-03-03.
External links
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