Biography

Patrick Joseph Kelly best known for Westworld (Series and Stunts), The Revenant (Stunts), Dark Fields (Main Villain) and mixed martial arts & weapons.

Kelly was born in Lansing, Michigan, the second eldest of four children. His father, James William Kelly Sr., who is of (Irish and Northern Cree) descent. His mother, Josephine Kelly (Velasquez), who is of Mexican (Aztec and Apache) ancestry. Started theater in Jr. High School and continuing throughout High School , being brought up in a blue collar/laborer household and struggling for self identity, Kelly engaged and excelled in multiple sports including wrestling, track and field, football, mixed martial arts and kickboxing.

Difficulties in social activities brought Kelly to his introduction to the stage running for student council (1974) despite knowing nothing about it. "The curtains opened and saw the whole class assembly staring at me," Kelly began crying and ran off stage. Being picked on for this Kelly decided the very next semester to "win over the fear of stage freight and get over the embarrassment", so he signed up for drama class and played Lenny in the theatrical, 'Of Mice and Men' (1974) which was a standing ovation from the same class assembly.

Kelly's family moved from the city life to a very small desolate town in northern lower Michigan approximately 110 miles north of Lansing into the forestry swamp-lands of Leota, Michigan, where "going to the bathroom" meant grabbing your shoes and a flashlight, plus, a shower outside, yes even in the winter. This is where as a child he learned first hand of nature, wild animals and survival. "There was a trail as a driveway half a mile long through the forest and swamp land from his home to the bus stop/mailbox." He attended Harrison High School in 1979 as a Junior and graduating in 1981.

As life seems to have many choices, Kelly, after graduation, turned to marriage with children (since divorced), parenting, military (Army), business owner and factory work. During these years of multiple self made businesses and endless factory work as a machinist and becoming computer programmer for steady income and insurance for his family, Kelly was able to incorporate some 'moonlighting' as an Exotic Dancer (1996) extending to hiring opening acts. It wasn't until then that Kelly made the decision to follow the dream since Jr. High School to pursue acting and stunt work.

At one of his own choreographed dance shows he was noticed and invited to be in what would be his first ever film project playing a Vampire in, "The Night Divides the Day" (1999) as a supporting role. "I got to make out with a beautiful girl", which is what hooked and launched his career choice into action. Although still a dad and working full time at unrewarding endless work, Kelly was fortunate to be a part of some Michigan made theatrical and films such as; "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" (stage 2001) playing Chief Bromden and being nominated for Best Supporting Actor, "An Ordinary Killer" (speaking role/qualified for Screen Actor's Guild- S.A.G 2003), "Real Steel" (multiple scenes and stunts 2011), "Dark Fields" (main villain character 2011) and "Oz The Great and Powerful" (2011) to name only a few.

In 2012, Kelly found himself "just existing" so, he then made the life altering choice and made the move to Hollywood, California to pursue this childhood dream. "It hasn't been easy throwing yourself to the wolves", but persistence, dedication and patience has rewarded him thus far with credits in "The Revenant" (stunts 2015) and the series "Westworld" (Stunts/BG 2014 - 1st & 2nd seasons). Also multiple BG on shows like Sons of Anarchy, Criminal Minds, Castle and Veep plus many many more.

Kelly is also involved with support groups, mixed martial arts and adventurous opportunities, just ask him!
- IMDb mini biography by: Patrick Kelly (XXII)