Robert Keith

Robert Keith

Deceased · Born: Feb 10, 1890 · Died: Dec 22, 1966

Personal Details

BornFeb 10, 1890 Fowler, Indiana, USA
Spouse
  • Dorothy Tierney

    ( May 10, 1930 to Dec 23, 1966 )
  • Peg Entwistle

    ( Apr 18, 1927 to May 2, 1929 )
  • Helena Shipman

    ( Jun 7, 1922 to Jan 15, 1926 )
  • Laura Corinne Jackson

    ( Jul 18, 1918 to Dec 1, 2025 )
Parents
  • James Haughey Richey
  • Mary Della Snyder

Biography

Robert Keith, a renowned American character actor, left an indelible mark on the film industry and was also the proud father of accomplished actor Brian Keith.

Born in Indiana, Keith's journey into the world of theater began in his teenage years when he joined a stock company, honing his skills as a writer and actor. He went on to appear in numerous plays across the country and even on Broadway, showcasing his exceptional talent.

Keith's impressive work as a writer caught the attention of Hollywood, and he was soon contracted to pen dialogue for various films. Not only did he excel as a writer, but he also managed to secure acting roles in several movies.

After returning to Broadway as a playwright in 1932, Keith continued to act on stage in a range of iconic productions, including "Yellow Jack," "The Children's Hour," and "Mr. Roberts" (as Doc).

In the late 1940s, Keith dedicated himself to film work full-time, becoming a well-respected and familiar face in many films of the era. His son Brian, born to his second wife Helena Shipman, had the privilege of sharing the screen with him in several silent films as a child, long before establishing himself as a prominent actor in his own right.

Sadly, Robert Keith passed away in 1966, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and entertain audiences to this day.

Career

1961
Duel of Champions
Duel of Champions as Tullio King of Rome
Posse from Hell
Posse from Hell as Captain Jeremiah Brown
1960
Cimarron
Cimarron as Sam Pegler
1959
1958
The Lineup
The Lineup as Julian
1957
My Man Godfrey
My Man Godfrey as Alexander Bullock
Men in War
Men in War as The Colonel
1956
Written on the Wind
Written on the Wind as Jasper Hadley
Ransom!
Ransom! as Police Chief Jim Backett
1955
Guys and Dolls
Guys and Dolls as Lt. Brannigan
Love Me or Leave Me
Love Me or Leave Me as Bernard V. Loomis
Underwater!
Underwater! as Father Cannon
1954
Drum Beat
Drum Beat as Bill Satterwhite
Young at Heart
Young at Heart as Gregory Tuttle
1953
The Wild One
The Wild One as Sheriff Harry Bleeker
Battle Circus
Battle Circus as Lieutenant Colonel Hillary Whalters
Devil's Canyon
Devil's Canyon as Steve Morgan
Small Town Girl
Small Town Girl as Judge Gordon Kimbell
1952
Just Across the Street
Just Across the Street as Walter Medford
1951
Fourteen Hours
Fourteen Hours as Paul E. Cosick
Here Comes the Groom
Here Comes the Groom as George Degnan
I Want You
I Want You as Thomas Greer
1950
My Foolish Heart
My Foolish Heart as Henry Winters
Branded
Branded as T. Jefferson Leffingwell
Woman on the Run
Woman on the Run as Inspector Martin Ferris
1947
Boomerang!
Boomerang! as 'Mac' McCreery
1933
The Shadow Laughs
The Shadow Laughs as George Hackett
1930
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln as Union Courier (uncredited)