Veteran Irish actor David Kelly passed away on Sunday night, 12th of February 2012, after a short illness. He was 82. The actor, who was one of Ireland’s best-known and best-loved character actors will be laid to rest at a funeral held Thursday after 10am Mass to Mount Jerome Crematorium. Removal tomorrow, Wednesday, to the Church of the Miraculous Medal, Bird Avenue Clonskeagh, arriving at 5.30pm.
Born Dublin, 11th July 1929, David began his stage career at Dublin’s Gaiety theatre at the age of twelve and appeared in countless stage, television and film productions during his life-long career including ‘Waking Ned’, ‘Stardust’, ‘Into the West’, ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’, ‘Fawlty Towers’, ‘Strumpet City’, ‘Robin’s Nest’ and ‘On the Busses’.
David, who was a founding Member of IFTA, was honoured in 2005 by the Irish Film & Television Academy with a Lifetime Achievement Award, presented to him by Colm Meaney with tributes paid to the actor from Colin Farrell; Johnny Depp, who famously called the Irishman “my hero”; Tim Burton who said David Kelly was a “great actor, and not a bad dancer!”; and fellow veteran Irish actor Milo O’Shea who said “what a gift to share one’s life and one’s beloved work with one’s beloved and talented friend.”
David is survived by his wife Laurie and children David and Miriam.
IFTA has posted a gallery of images on their Facebook here
