David Patrick Kelly Biography

David Patrick Kelly started his acting career on stage. At some point, he moved to New York and began appearing in Off-Off-Broadway plays. In 1975, he acted in a La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club production of Wilford Leach's ‘C.O.R.F.A.X. (Don't Ask)’. He also appeared in the 1989 La MaMa production of the Michal Kobialka and Liz Diamond’s adaptation of Ireneusz Iredyński's ‘An Altar to Himself’. In April 1974, he was featured in a production of ‘Mr. Jello’. He was the first actor to portray the character of Da in ‘Once’ on Broadway.

In 1998, he was cast as Feste in a production of William Shakespeare’s ‘Twelfth Night’, which was staged at Lincoln Center. For several years, Kelly has been associated with the Hartford Stage Company in Hartford, Connecticut, and has played the lead protagonists in the productions of Georg Buchner's ‘Woyzeck’ and Molière's ‘Tartuffe’. He has also essayed Iago in ‘Othello’ and Hoss in Sam Shepard's ‘Tooth Of Crime’. Furthermore, Kelly has appeared in at least two productions at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He portrayed the titular role in Luigi Pirandello's ‘Enrico IV’ and was featured in a rendition of the Yuan dynasty play ‘Snow in June’. He has acted in the productions of several plays by avant-garde playwright Richard Foreman. In 2015, he shared the stage with Keira Knightly in the Roundabout Theatre Company's production of Helen Edmundson's adaptation of ‘Thérèse Raquin’.

In his debut film, ‘The Warriors’, Kelly’s character Luther shouted the popular line, "Warriors...come out to play-ee-ay!!" This was not in the script; he came up with it himself. He has worked with renowned filmmaker Spike Lee in several films, including ‘Malcolm X’ (1992) and ‘Chi-Raq’ (2015). David Lynch directed him in ‘Wild at Heart’ (1990), ‘Twin Peaks’ (1990-91) and its 2017 continuation.

He shared screen space with Eddie Murphy and Nick Nolte in ‘48 Hrs.’ (1982), Arnold Schwarzenegger in ‘Commando’ (1985), Brandon Lee in ‘The Crow’ (1994), Christopher Walken in ‘The Funeral’ (1996), Bruce Willis and Walken in ‘Last Man Standing’ (1996), and Adam Sandler in ‘The Longest Yard’ (2005). He portrayed President Harry S. Truman in ‘Flags of Our Fathers’ (2006). Kelly is set to appear in the upcoming drama film ‘Fugitive Dreams’.

Kelly has portrayed Heinrich Gerst in four episodes of ‘The Blacklist’ (2015) and Ziggy Woichik in eight episodes of ‘Feed the Beast’ (2016). Between 2008 and 2011, he appeared in three episodes of ‘Gossip Girls’.

Kelly has been a composer and musician longer than he has been an actor and is a common fixture in the New York's rock and cabaret scene. In 2008, he put out ‘David Patrick Kelly: Rip Van Boy Man’, a CD containing his original music.

Born on January 23, 1951, in Detroit, Michigan, Kelly is one of the seven children of World War II veteran turned accountant, Robert Corby Kelly, and his wife Margaret Kelly. His sisters are Maureen, Susan, Margaret, and Kathleen. His older brother John passed away in September 2018. He has another brother named Robert. On Saint Patrick’s Day 1964, his mother gave him a mandolin as a present. Kelly has reiterated time and again the astronomical influence that had on his artistic development.

After graduating from Bishop Gallagher High School in Harper Woods, Michigan, he enrolled at the University of Detroit. During this period, he became actively involved in Detroit’s theatre scene and created music for four musicals: Aristophanes’ ‘Lysistrata;’ ‘The World from My Window’, which was based on a book of children's poems; a production inspired by ‘Gulliver's Travels’ (in the land of horses); and the mime show ‘Home for Silent Clowns’. He left the University of Detroit after graduating cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He has also received training from Marcel Marceau and Mira Rostova.

On August 14, 2005, Kelly exchanged wedding vows with actress Juliana Francis.

David Patrick Kelly is known for his distinctive voice, which has been described as both unmistakable and versatile in its range.

He is a talented musician and has showcased his musical abilities in various performances, including playing the guitar and singing in several productions.

Kelly has a passion for yoga and meditation, which he credits for helping him stay grounded and focused in his work as an actor.

He is a dedicated environmentalist and is actively involved in various conservation efforts, advocating for sustainable practices and raising awareness about environmental issues.

Kelly is known for his sense of humor and wit, often bringing a light-hearted and playful energy to his interactions with colleagues and fans alike.