Jack Kelly
Full Name and Common Aliases
John Joseph "Jack" Kelly
aka Jack Kelly, Johnny K.
Birth and Death Dates
Born: July 24, 1927
Died: December 6, 2009 (aged 82)
Nationality and Profession(s)
American Actor
Early Life and Background
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 24, 1927, John Joseph "Jack" Kelly was the second of three sons to James Patrick Kelly and Elizabeth Hogan. He grew up in a family that valued education and encouraged his siblings to pursue their interests. Kelly's early life was marked by tragedy when his father died suddenly at age 43, forcing him to take on significant responsibilities as a young boy.
Kelly attended Northeast Catholic High School and later enrolled at La Salle College (now La Salle University), where he studied business administration. However, his true passion lay in the performing arts, and he dropped out of college to pursue an acting career. Kelly's early start in show business was marked by small roles on stage and screen before landing a contract with Republic Pictures.
Major Accomplishments
Kelly's breakthrough role came when he played the part of Pat Cleburne in the 1950 film "Rio Grande," directed by John Ford and starring John Wayne. This marked the beginning of a long and successful collaboration between Kelly and Ford, who would go on to work together on several iconic Westerns.
Kelly's portrayal of Jack Smith in the 1953-1959 television series "Maverick" cemented his status as a leading man in American entertainment. He also appeared in notable films such as "The High Chaparral," "McLintock!," and "The War Wagon."
Notable Works or Actions
Kelly's most enduring contribution to popular culture lies in the body of work he produced with John Ford, including:
"Rio Grande" (1950)
"The Quiet Man" (1952)
"Maverick" (TV series, 1953-1959)
"The High Chaparral" (TV series, 1967-1971)
Impact and Legacy
Jack Kelly's impact on American entertainment is multifaceted. As an actor, he brought depth and nuance to a range of characters across film and television. His collaborations with John Ford helped shape the Western genre and influenced generations of filmmakers.
Kelly's personal life was marked by his marriage to Bette Cockrell in 1949, with whom he had three children. The couple remained together until Kelly's passing in 2009. Throughout his career, Kelly was known for his kindness, generosity, and dedication to his craft.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Kelly is widely remembered for his body of work in film and television, particularly his collaborations with John Ford. His portrayal of rugged individualists and complex characters continues to inspire actors and filmmakers today. As a testament to his enduring legacy, quotes from Jack Kelly are frequently referenced by critics, historians, and fans alike.
As an actor, Kelly embodied the spirit of the American West, capturing the essence of his on-screen characters in a way that has become iconic in popular culture. His contributions to the world of entertainment continue to be celebrated and studied by scholars, filmmakers, and audiences around the globe.
Quotes by Jack Kelly
Government grows despite repeated failures to serve the public well because government’s purpose no longer is to serve the public. Government now serves primarily the interests of those who work for the government.
I suspect it’s because Truman Democrats have been replaced by Gruber Democrats – self-styled elitists who feed lavishly at the public trough and think government should serve them, not the hoi polloi they disdain and deceive.
You can’t top that remark for hypocrisy or the setting for irony. It isn’t the middle class who write $32,500 checks. Those who do expect something in return. They’ve been getting it.
Multiculturalism is social poison. Toleration of intolerance isn’t sophistication. It’s suicide.
The truly greedy, it seems to me, are those who think they’ve a right to live well at the expense of others.
The top group of fundraisers for Mr. Obama raised $457,834 for his 2008 campaign - and were approved for federal grants and loans of $11.4 billion, according to the Government Accountability Institute. Selling access to the federal treasury has been a great way for Democrats to raise campaign funds. Since 1989, according to an analysis by Gateway Pundit, big donors have provided $416 million more in direct contributions to Democrats than Republicans.
The truly greedy, it seems to me, are those who think they've a right to live well at the expense of others.
Government grows despite repeated failures to serve the public well because government's purpose no longer is to serve the public. Government now serves primarily the interests of those who work for the government.