Brian Keith's Main TV Roles Show Character(s) Hardcastle & McCormick Judge Milto… Family Affair (1966) Uncle Bill … Tales of Tomorrow Peters Centennial Sheriff Axe… Archer (1975) Lew Archer The Westerner Dave Blassi… Heartland (1989) B.L. McCutc… Target: The Corruptors George Vacl… The Zoo Gang (UK) Steven 'The… Stephen 'Th…

Main Movie Roles 1988 - Young Guns 1981 - Sharky's Machine 1979 - Meteor 1978 - Hooper 1975 - The Wind and the Lion 1970 - The McKenzie Break 1967 - Reflections in a Golden Eye 1966 - The Rare Breed 1966 - The Russians Are Coming the Russians Are Coming 1966 - Nevada Smith 1965 - The Hallelujah Trail 1965 - Those Calloways 1961 - The Deadly Companions 1961 - The Parent Trap 1959 - The Young Philadelphians 1957 - Nightfall 1957 - Chicago Confidential 1957 - Run of the Arrow 1956 - Storm Center 1955 - 5 Against the House 1947 - Boomerang! 1940 - Knute Rockne All American

BIOGRAPHY:

Son of character actor Robert Keith (I) and stage actress Helena Shipman. He grew up on the road with his parents while they toured in plays. First appeared at age 3 in film Pied Piper Malone (1924) with his father. Began acting in radio programs and on stage before World War II. Joined the Marines and served as a machine gunner. Returned to Broadway stage after the war and branched out into television and film. Worked as an extra in several films before achieving speaking roles and subsequent stardom.


TRIVIA:

• Plays the role of a historical president of the United States in both of 'John Milius' (qv)'s films about 'Theodore Roosevelt' (qv). In _The Wind and the Lion (1975)_ (qv) he co-starred as Roosevelt himself. In the prequel, _Rough Riders (1997) (TV)_ (qv), he had a bit part as TR's predecessor, 'William McKinley (I)' (qv) (at a time when Roosevelt was President McKinley's Assistant Secretary of the Navy).
• He graduated from East Rockaway High School in East Rockaway, New York, in 1939.
• At the time of his death, he was suffering from emphysema and terminal lung cancer, as well as mourning the recent gunshot suicide of his 27-year-old daughter, 'Daisy Keith' (qv), only ten weeks prior. His own suicide happened after he returned from a stay at a hospital.
• Though he started acting at age three, he wasn't in films until he was 31.
• Son of 'Robert Keith (I)' (qv) and Helena Shipman.
• Buried in Westwood Village Memorial Park in Los Angeles.
• His hobbies included: partying, golfing, swimming, spending time with family, sailing, horseback riding, reading and painting.
• His mother, Helena Shipman, died on October 26, 1983.