Biography

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.
- IMDb mini biography by: Anonymous

Richard Kelton was born in Lincoln, Nebraska on April 29, 1943 to (Alvis) Fred and Glenna Kelton, where his father was stationed and served as a flight instructor and engineer for the army air corps. After World War II, his father began a career as a teacher and school principal. While growing up in Miami, Oklahoma, Richard remembered seeing such movies as_Rebel Without A Cause (1955)East of Eden (1955), and Giant (1956). He cites James Dean as the main influence on his decision to become an actor.

While studying drama at the University of Kansas, Richard made his movie debut with a small part in the movie In Cold Blood (1967) as Nancy's boyfriend. Soon after arriving in California in 1970, he got his first guest-starring role in 'Young Rebels'. He went on to make many more guest appearances and movies. He was cast as Nick, in the 1976 Broadway revival of "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf", directed by Edward Albee, and toured the country with Katherine Hepburn in "A Matter of Gravity".

After returning to California, he had a guest-starring role in "Charlie's Angels". His performance was so well liked by the producers of _"Quark" (1978)_, they offered him the role as Ficus Pandorata, but unfortunately the series did not last long. Later that same year he returned to University of Kansas to teach a seminar on movie making. He then returned to California and continued acting until his untimely death at age 35.
- IMDb mini biography by: Lynn Jepson