Tommy Kelly was an American actor who is best known for The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Peck’s Bad Boy with the Circus, and Irene. He was born on April 6, 1925, in Bronx, New York City, New York, USA, and he passed away on January 26, 2016, in Greensboro, North Carolina, USA.
Personal and Family Life
Tommy Kelly was married to Susie Burch, with whom he had six children: Ann, Matt, Eileen, Kevin, Mark, and Paul. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and later earned a Ph.D. in Education from Michigan State University. Kelly was discovered while attending parochial school in the Bronx.
Career
Though he gained fame as a child actor, Tommy was notably reluctant to discuss his film career later in life. After acting, he became a teacher in the Washington D.C. area and also worked as an administrator for the Peace Corps in Liberia during the late 1960s. His film roles included significant performances in popular films of the late 1930s and early 1940s.
Death and Legacy
Tommy Kelly died on January 26, 2016, due to congestive heart failure. He is remembered for his contribution to film as a child actor and for his later work in education and community service. His legacy continues through the impact he had on both his family and the students he taught.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| The Adventures of Tom Sawyer | 1938-02-11 | Tom Sawyer |
| Peck’s Bad Boy with the Circus | 1938-12-02 | Bill Peck |
| Gallant Sons | 1940-11-15 | Harwood Hollister |
| They Shall Have Music | 1939-08-18 | Willie |
| Gone with the Wind | 1939-03-12 | Boy in Band (uncredited) |
| Irene | 1940-04-23 | Michael O’Dare |
| Mug Town | 1942-12-18 | Steve |
| Curtain Call | 1940-04-18 | Freddy Middleton |
| Nice Girl? | 1941-02-21 | Ken Atkins |
| Military Academy | 1940-08-06 | Tommy Lewis |
| He Walked by Night | 1949-02-06 | Redhead (uncredited) |