Tim Kelly was born on October 2, 1931, in Saugus, Massachusetts, to Francis Seymour Kelley and his wife Mary Edna Furey, and was blessed with two sisters, Jackie Hayes and Patricia Schultz.
Kelly's passion for writing began at the tender age of 12, when he entered a contest using his maternal grandmother's name on one entry and his mother's name on the other, unbeknownst to them, as the contest was targeted towards women and both submissions were published. This marked the beginning of his lifelong dedication to writing.
Throughout his illustrious career, Kelly proved to be one of the most prolific American writers, boasting an impressive portfolio of over 300 plays. His extensive repertoire includes comedies, dramas, one-acts, mysteries, melodramas, children's shows, and musicals, which have been produced by a multitude of esteemed theaters worldwide, including the New York's Studio Ensemble Theatre, Royal Court Rep, Apple Corps, Manhattan Theatre Club, Los Angeles Actor's Theatre, Aspen Playwright's Festival, Seattle Repertory Company, and many more.
Kelly took great joy in writing plays specifically designed for high-school students to perform, and his work as a television and screenwriter is also noteworthy, with credits including films such as Cry of the Banshee (1970) and Sugar Hill (1974). Despite often facing criticism from critics, Kelly's impact on amateur theater continues to be felt to this day, with his works remaining a staple of performances around the world, constantly entertaining audiences.
