Actor David Kelly
Irish actor, David Kelly, dear to the hearts of so many Irish people worldwide, has passed away today, after a short illness.
Born in July 1929, David was in his 83rd year and began his acting career in 1951, playing everything from Samuel Beckett to William Shakespeare.
At home in comedy or serious character roles, David was a familiar face on our television screens during the 1970’s with a role as the one armed dishwasher Albert Riddle in Robin’s Nest, the builder Mr. O’Reilly in Fawlty Towers, as well as Emmerdale Farm in the 1980’s, Glenroe in the 1990’s, and the part of grandfather Reilly, in the 1992 Jim Sheridan film “Into The West.”
More recent work included “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” “The Jigsaw Man,” and “Stardust.” However his older fans will possibly remember him best for his marvelous portrayal of the character “Rashers Tierney,” in the highly acclaimed 1980’s RTE TV mini series, James Plunkett’s Strumpet City, which also starred screen greats Peter O’Toole, Cyril Cusack and Peter Ustinov.
Go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a anam dílis.
I loved David Kelly. May he rest in peace.