Home> Facts and Trivia > Stars > Brian Keith
Brian Keith Facts
| Sign | Scorpio |
| Born |
Nov 14, 1921 Bayonne, NJ |
| Died |
Jun 24, 1997 Malibu, CA |
| Age | Died at 75 |
| Total Facts | 53 |
Actor Daniel Hugh Kelly was said he to be a huge fan of his while he was growing up. His favorite movies that Keith starred were The Rare Breed (1966) and Nevada Smith (1966). Years later, he would land a co-starring role opposite Keith in "Hardcastle and McCormick" (1983), and stayed on the show until its cancellation in 1986.
Actors Kathy Garver and Johnny Whitaker were said to be huge fans of his when they were both growing up. They both co-starred alongside him on "Family Affair" (1966), and stayed on the show until its cancellation in 1971.
At the time of his death, he was suffering from emphysema and terminal lung cancer, as well as mourning the recent gunshot suicide of his 27-year-old daughter, Daisy Keith, only ten weeks prior. His own suicide happened after he returned from a stay at a hospital.
Attended Michael Landon's funeral in 1991.
Beat out three other actors for the role of the title character in "Hardcastle and McCormick" (1983).
Before he was a successful actor, he also worked in carnivals.
Before he was a successful actor, he began acting in stock productions and on radio.
Best remembered by the public for his starring role as Uncle Bill Davis on "Family Affair" (1966).
Buried in Westwood Village Memorial Park in Los Angeles.
Father, with Victoria Young, of Daisy Keith.
Had a son, Michael, who died in 1963.
Had enjoyed playing his role on "Hardcastle and McCormick" (1983).
Had four biological children and adopted three more.
He graduated from East Rockaway High School in East Rockaway, New York, in 1939.
He served as a machine gunner in the United States Marine Corps in World War II, and received an Air Medal.
He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Television at 7021 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.
His daughter Daisy Keith co-starred with him on his final show "Heartland" (1989).
His father Robert Keith and mother Helena Shipman were both actors.
His father, Robert Keith, died on December 22, 1966.
His first son died in childhood. Daughter, Daisy Keith committed suicide 10 weeks before her father's suicide, aged 27.
His future "Family Affair" (1966) co-star, Kathy Garver, had guest-starred with him twice: on an episode of one of his short-lived series, "Crusader" (1955), and just before his death, she worked with him on the aforementioned "Spider-Man" (1994) cartoon series.
His hobbies included: partying, golfing, swimming, spending time with family, cooking, sailing, horseback riding, reading and painting.
His mother, Helena Shipman, died on October 26, 1983.
His parents were divorced when he was 4.
His parents, Robert Keith and Helen Shipman, were married in 1919.
His third wife Victoria Young co-starred with him on "The Brian Keith Show" (1972), she played a nurse.
His third wife, Victoria Young, was almost 23 years his junior.
His widow Victoria Young guest-starred with him on 2 episodes of "Hardcastle and McCormick" (1983).
Like Brian himself, his stepmother Peg Entwistle also commit suicide. She jumped from the "H" of the famous Hollywood Sign in 1932.
Made a comeback with a successful TV series by the time he was 62.
Of British descent.
Plays the role of a historical president of the United States in both of John Milius's films about Theodore Roosevelt. In The Wind and the Lion (1975) he co-starred as Roosevelt himself. In the prequel, Rough Riders (1997) (TV), he had a bit part as TR's predecessor, William McKinley (at a time when Roosevelt was President McKinley's Assistant Secretary of the Navy).
Remained friends with Daniel Hugh Kelly during and after "Hardcastle and McCormick" (1983).
Remained good friends with Johnny Whitaker and Kathy Garver, during and after "Family Affair" (1966).
Shortly before future "Family Affair" (1966) co-star, Johnny Whitaker, co-starred with him, he appeared in the movie The Russians Are Coming the Russians Are Coming (1966), where Keith was so impressed by Johnny's acting that he invited him to co-star in Keith's new sitcom, the same year.
Son of Robert Keith and Helena Shipman.
Stepson of Peg Entwistle, who was a Broadway actress.
Stepson of Dorothy Tierney.
Suffered an eye injury on the set of "Hardcastle and McCormick" (1983). [1985].
The younger of two children.
Though he started acting at age three, he wasn't in films until he was 31.
Was a close friend of Charlton Heston.
Was a heavy smoker until 1986, just the decade before he was diagnosed with lung cancer.
Was also good friends of John Mills's entire family.
Was an active Republican.
Was best friends with: Adam West, Michael Landon, James Best, Burt Reynolds, Sean Connery and Maureen O'Hara.
Was diagnosed with emphysema and lung cancer. He also had financial problems and was depressed by the suicide of his daughter, which eventually led to his own suicide.
Was fluent in Russian.
Was offered the role of Deke Thornton in The Wild Bunch (1969), but turned it down, because he was under contract working on "Family Affair" (1966).
Was originally going to be an actor, but it was delayed by World War II.