Who was Lisa Robin Kelly? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Died At Age: 43

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Robert Joseph Gilliam (m. 2012–2013)

father: Thomas Carl Kelly

mother: Linda Diane (née Grimm) Kelly

Born Country: United States

Actresses American Women

Height: 5'7" (170 cm), 5'7" Females

Died on: August 15, 2013

place of death: Altadena, California, U.S.

U.S. State: Connecticut

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Childhood & Early Life

Lisa Robin Kelly was born on March 5, 1970 in Southington, Connecticut, USA. She was the daughter of Thomas Carl Kelly and Linda Diane Kelly.

According to her family and friends, Lisa’s childhood was a happy one. She was really very close to her parents.

Lisa then moved to Sylvania, Ohio, much before she started attending her high school. She was chosen as the cheerleader for the baseball team of her school.

Right after Lisa finished her schooling, she decided to pursue acting. She then moved to California to learn acting and enrolled herself at an acting school. She used to travel back to her hometown every Christmas to spend the holidays with her family.

She graduated from the Goodman School of Drama of DePaul University with a major in acting in 1992.

Lisa started working as an actress much before she completed her acting course. She was offered a role in one of the episodes of a then upcoming television show. Her journey as an actress started right then.

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Career

Lisa made her acting debut in 1986, with a minor role in an episode of a daily soap titled ‘Married… with Children’. After her stint with the series, she started appearing in cameo roles in many popular television shows such as ‘Murphy Brown’, ‘The X-Files’, ‘Sisters’ and ‘Silk Stalkings’.

She even appeared in a few obscure, straight-to-video telefilms. Lisa finally earned her big break through the popular American sitcom ‘That '70s Show’, when she played the role of Laurie Forman, and with that came the celebrity status that she was looking for. Her portrayal of a promiscuous elder sister of Eric Forman, gave her the much awaited success. Her Farrah Fawcett like hairstyle started a fashion trend among young girls.

Lisa became a star overnight. She even secured the sixth position on Maxim's TV's Best Nymphos list.

Lisa was enjoying her brand new success and publicity when she was offered a role in the film, ‘Jawbreaker’, released in 1999. This was her only high profile movie in her acting career.

Lisa became a victim of drug addiction during the filming of the third season of ‘That '70s Show’, and because of this, she was fired.

She made a comeback to the show but was offered a minor appearance in the 13th episode of the sixth season. Later, she was finalized for the full season.

After she had filmed the first few episodes, Lisa was replaced by Christina Moore. The producers of the show labeled this as part of a creative decision, whereas in reality, it was Lisa’s falling public image that caused the termination of her contract.

Lisa was last seen on screen in her 2005 film, ‘The Food Chain: A Hollywood Scarytale’. Her career started suffering as she struggled with her own personal issues.

As An Actress

Married... with Children – This was Lisa’s debut television series. The series aired its first episode on April 5, 1987, and was the longest-running sitcom at that time. Lisa appeared as Carol in the episode titled, ‘Kelly Doesn't Live Here Anymore’, which was aired in 1992. She was once again seen in another episode titled, ‘Breaking Up is Easy to Do: Part 1’, as Heather Talrico.

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Silk Stalkings – Lisa was next seen in this crime drama that was aired on CBS channel. Though the series started on November 7, 1991, Lisabecame part of it only in1994, when she featured in the episode titled, ‘Killer Cop’. In the episode, she played the character of Gina Nelson.

The X-Files – This American thriller supernatural drama was broadcast on September 10, 1993 and lasted for nine seasons. Lisa was seen in the episode, ‘Syzygy’, aired on January 26, 1996. This episode was part of the third season of the series. The plot revolves around a planetary position that causes evil to the people of a particular town.

Amityville Dollhouse – Lisa appeared in a small role in this 1997 horror flick. She played Dana, the girlfriend of the eldest son of the protagonist, who accidentally discovers the cause for the paranormal activities in his house. The film received an average rating.

That '70s Show – This was the show that brought Lisa under the spotlight. She played Laurie Forman, who always pesters her brother and her promiscuous acts are often enjoyed by her friends as they provide them with entertainment. The character was well received by the audience and thus, Lisa became a household name. The series broadcast its first episode on August 23, 1998, and ran for the next eight years.

Personal Life & Death

Lisa was always in news, more for her personal issues than her professional acts. It all began while she was filming for the fifth season of ‘That 70’s Show’ when she was under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

She had a tumultuous relationship with boyfriend, John Michas, and their relationship eventually ended on a bitter note. Lisa later married Robert Joseph Gilliam.

Lisa was legally charged for drunken driving in August 2010, in North Carolina. This was when her image started to deteriorate.

Lisa was no more a stranger to handcuffs then. She once again was arrested, along with her husband for public obscenity.

All these were happening while she was consuming drugs and was eventually admitted to a rehab center in California.

Death

Lisa Robin Kelly died on August 15, 2013, while she was asleep in her rehab enclosure. She was 43.

Lisa’s husband, Robert Joseph Gilliam, filed a case against the rehab center, post her death. He claimed an apology and compensation from the center for their negligence and torturous behavior towards Lisa.

Lisa Robin Kelly Biography

Death