Desmond Kelly
- Acting
- July 24, 1928 · Nelson, New Zealand
- February 4, 2024
Biography
Desmond Lance Kelly was a New Zealand stage, film and television actor. After earning a science degree, he worked as a geologist and spent around 25 years in education before leaving his post at Wellington Teachers’ College in 1977 to pursue acting full time. He became a familiar presence in Wellington theatre, including at Downstage, Circa and Bats, and appeared in numerous New Zealand film and television productions, including Smash Palace, The Scarecrow, Klynham Summer, Mirror, Mirror and Peter Jackson’s The Frighteners (1996), in which he played Harry Sinclair. Kelly was also a teacher, photographer, writer and singer, and was involved in the early development of PhotoForum in Wellington. He died on 4 February 2024, aged 95.
Known for
Filmography
- The Strange Calls · Burt Ferguson
- Rage · Ces Blazey
- Changi · Older Tom
- Roar · Furbaide
- Song of the Siren · Dad
- The Frighteners · Harry Sinclair
- Xena: Warrior Princess · Elkton
- The Last Tattoo · Monty McGurr
- Absent Without Leave · Daisy's Father
- The Navigator: A Medieval Odyssey · Smithy
- Illustrious Energy · Surveyor
- Dancers · Duke of Courland
- The Flying Doctors · Ben Connell, Alf Lang
- Bad Blood · Mr. Ridley
- The Scarecrow · Mr. Poindexter
- Smash Palace · Tiny
- Xmas for Lou · Jock