Edward Barry Kelley (August 19, 1908 – June 5, 1991) 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.
A popular figure in film noir and crime films, he appeared in over 15 such pictures. His large size and acting range had him playing shyster lawyers, judges, detectives, and police officers.[1]
Kelley began acting on the stage in the 1930s.[3] His Broadway credits include Within the Gates (1934–1935), Parnell (1935–1936), Saint Joan (1936), Hamlet (1936–1937), The Wingless Victory (1936–1937), The Star-Wagon (1937–1938), Mamba's Daughters (1940), Strip for Action (1942–1943), Oklahoma! (1943–1948), Loco (1946), Wonderful Journey (1946–1947), and Portrait in Black (1947).[4]
In 1959, Kelley appeared as Josh Teller on Lawman in the episode titled "The Outsider."[8] He portrayed the recurring character Jim Rafferty in five episodes of the 1960–1961 situation comedyThe Tom Ewell Show.[9] In 1961 he appeared as Governor Johnson on the TV western Lawman in the episode titled "Owny O'Reilly."[10]
In 1962, Kelley played Captain Donovan in the episode "The Parish Car" of the ABC drama series, Going My Way, starring Gene Kelly.[15] Kelley guest starred three times in the western television series Bonanza between 1959 and 1965, playing different roles.[14] 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 comedyMister Ed (1961–1966).[16]
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."[17] In 1966 he played Park Milgrave in the Perry Mason episode, "The Case of the Fanciful Frail."[18] He portrayed a mayor on Rango in 1967 in the episode ""If You Can't Take It with You, Don't Go."[19]
Kelley's last television role was as Sheriff Vic Crandall in three more episodes of Petticoat Junction in 1967 and 1968.[14][20]
