Profile Text
Birth Name: John Augustus Kelly, Jr.
Date of Birth: September 16, 1927
Place of Birth: Astoria, Queens, New York City, New York, U.S.
Date of Death: November 7, 1992
Place of Death: Huntington Beach, California, U.S.
Ethnicity: Irish
Jack Kelly was an American film and television actor, and politician. He starred as Bart Maverick on the show Maverick . He was also known for his roles in the films Gunsmoke (1953), They Rode West , To Hell and Back , Black Tuesday , The Bamboo Prison , Cult of the Cobra , Double Jeopardy (1955), The Night Holds Terror , Forbidden Planet , Julie (1956), She Devil (1957), Taming Sutton’s Gal , Hong Kong Affair , A Fever in the Blood , FBI Code 98 , Love and Kisses , Commandos , Young Billy Young , and The Human Tornado ; and on the shows Batman and The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries . He served as Mayor of Huntington Beach, California, from 1983 to 1986.
Jack was the son of Ann “Nan” Kelly, a stage actress and model, and John Augustus Kelly, a theatre ticket broker and real estate businessperson. His sister was Academy Award-nominated actress Nancy Kelly. His family later moved to Los Angeles, California. He was married to Jo Ann Smith, until his death. The couple had a daughter, Nicole, who is the founder of August II Productions.
Jack’s paternal grandfather was John Bernard Kelly (the son of Bernard Kelly and Catherine Manning/Mannion). John was born in Bullaun, County Galway, Ireland. Bernard was born in Monivea, Galway, the son of John Kelly and Bridget Haverty/Haverly. Catherine was born in Cummer, County Galway, the daughter of Hugh Manning/Mannion and Sabina Byrne.
Jack’s paternal grandmother was Elizabeth “Lizzie” Carroll (the daughter of John Carroll and Mary Nason). Elizabeth was born in New Ross, Countye Wexford, Ireland.
Jack’s maternal grandfather was named John Walsh. John was born in Liverpool, England, to Irish parents.
Jack’s maternal grandmother was named Mary Higgins (the daughter of Margaret). Mary was born in Hawick, Scotland, to Irish parents.