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Richard Kelton(1943-1978)

  • Actor
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
Richard Kelton in Kung Fu (1972)
Richard Duane Kelton was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, and was the only child of Fred and Glenna Kelton. While growing up in Miami, Oklahoma, he remembered watching James Dean and cites him as his main influence on becoming an actor. After studying drama at The University of Kansas, he made his way to California where he made his debut playing "Bud" in a 1970 2-part episode (Snow Train) of Gunsmoke Gunsmoke (1955). Soon after that he made his TV movie debut as "Lieutenant Charring" in Wild Women (1970). He continued in numerous other guest starring roles and a movie roles. He also played the role of "Nick" in the Broadway revival of "Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf" in 1976. He made his starring role as "Ficus" in the short-lived science fiction series "Quark" (1978). Later that year he was invited back to The University of Kansas to give a short seminar on films. He continued his career until his death in 1978.
BornApril 29, 1943
DiedNovember 27, 1978(35)
BornApril 29, 1943
DiedNovember 27, 1978(35)
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank

Photos22

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Known for

Richard Benjamin in Quark (1977)
Quark
6.9
TV Series
  • Ficus
Anne Francis and Hugh O'Brian in Wild Women (1970)
Wild Women
5.5
TV Movie
  • Lt. Charring
  • 1970
The Ultimate Warrior (1975)
The Ultimate Warrior
5.6
  • Cal
  • 1975
John Wayne and Diana Muldaur in McQ (1974)
McQ
6.2
  • Radical
  • 1974

Credits

IMDbPro

Actor



  • James Arness in How the West Was Won (1976)
    How the West Was Won
    8.2
    TV Series
    • Clay Hollingsworth
    • 1979
  • Noah Beery Jr. and James Garner in The Rockford Files (1974)
    The Rockford Files
    8.2
    TV Series
    • Norman Wheeler
    • 1979
  • Victoria Principal, Barbara Bel Geddes, Patrick Duffy, Larry Hagman, Charlene Tilton, Jim Davis, Linda Gray, and Steve Kanaly in Dallas (1978)
    Dallas
    7.1
    TV Series
    • The Guzzler
    • 1978
  • A Guide for the Married Woman (1978)
    A Guide for the Married Woman
    5.1
    TV Movie
    • Everett Hemming-Fantasy Man
    • 1978
  • Go West, Young Girl (1978)
    Go West, Young Girl
    5.8
    TV Movie
    • Griff
    • 1978
  • Richard Benjamin in Quark (1977)
    Quark
    6.9
    TV Series
    • Ficus
    • 1978
  • Lou Ferrigno and Bill Bixby in The Incredible Hulk (1977)
    The Incredible Hulk
    7.0
    TV Series
    • Carl
    • 1978
  • Angie Dickinson in Police Woman (1974)
    Police Woman
    6.6
    TV Series
    • Ron Chamberlin
    • 1978
  • Farrah Fawcett, Kate Jackson, and Jaclyn Smith in Charlie's Angels (1976)
    Charlie's Angels
    6.6
    TV Series
    • Hubie
    • 1977
  • Harold Gould and Stefanie Powers in The Feather and Father Gang (1976)
    The Feather and Father Gang
    6.8
    TV Series
    • Colby
    • 1977
  • David Janssen in Harry O (1973)
    Harry O
    7.6
    TV Series
    • Bruce Cantrell
    • Bill Dempsey
    • 1974–1976
  • Lloyd Bridges in Joe Forrester (1975)
    Joe Forrester
    7.0
    TV Series
    • 1975
  • Medical Story (1975)
    Medical Story
    6.8
    TV Series
    • Sanderson
    • 1975
  • Anthony Franciosa and Laraine Stephens in Matt Helm (1975)
    Matt Helm
    6.0
    TV Series
    • Jed Larson
    • 1975
  • The Ultimate Warrior (1975)
    The Ultimate Warrior
    5.6
    • Cal
    • 1975

Personal details

  • Alternative name
    • Richard D. Kelton
  • Height
    • 6′ 2″ (1.88 m)
  • Born
    • April 29, 1943
    • Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
  • Died
    • November 27, 1978
    • Denver, Colorado, USA(accidental carbon monoxide poisoning)
  • Spouse
    • Eileen Marie Jacobsen196? - November 27, 1978 (his death, 1 child)
  • Other works
    1976-77: Toured the country with Katherine Hepburn in "A Matter of Gravity"
  • Publicity listings
    • 24 Articles

Did you know

  • Trivia
    Died tragically after only one day of filming the TV movie series "Centennial". Was in his Universal dressing room studying his lines when he was overcome by carbon monoxide poisoning. The studio was later fined for its failure to provide a proper ventilating system.
  • Trademark
    Usually plays characters that are soft-spoken and intelligent
  • Nickname
    • Rick or Dick

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