Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Born
August 20, 1884
Died
September 2, 1961 (age 77)
Place of Birth
Sandusky, Ohio, USA
Also Known As
Fred Kelsy
F. A. Kelsey
F.A. Kelsey
Fred A. Kelsey
Fred. A. Kelsey
Fred Kelsey
Biography
Frederick Alvin Kelsey (August 20, 1884 – September 2, 1961) was an American actor, film director, and screenwriter. Kelsey directed one- and two-reel films for Universal Film Manufacturing Company. He appeared in more than 400 films between 1911 and 1958, often playing policemen or detectives. He also directed 37 films between 1914 and 1920. Kelsey was caricatured as the detective in the 1943 MGM cartoon Who Killed Who? directed by Tex Avery. He was born in Sandusky, Ohio and died at the Motion Picture Country Home in Hollywood, California, aged 77.
Getting a thrown cake in the face
VideoKnown For
Film
Strangers on a Train
Tennis Match Spectator / Carnival Attendee (uncredited)
1951
TV
The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok
Doc Jones (uncredited)
1951
Film
To Catch a Thief
Party Guest (uncredited)
1955
Film
Mr. Skeffington
Cop in Raid (uncredited)
1944
Film
Mildred Pierce
Bumped First Night Diner (uncredited)
1945
Film
A Star Is Born
Audience Member (uncredited)
1954
Film
Auntie Mame
Front Row Audience at Play (uncredited)
1958
Film
They Died with Their Boots On
Ft. Lincoln Bartender (uncredited)
1941
Film
The Enforcer
1951
Film
Soft Cushions
The Police
1927
Film
Night and Day
First-Nighter (uncredited)
1946
Film
Action in the North Atlantic
Joe (uncredited)
1943
Film
Flamingo Road
Train Conductor (uncredited)
1949
Film
Gold Diggers of 1933
Detective Jones (uncredited)
1933
Film
Dog Shy
Cop
1926
Film
The Flame and the Arrow
Guard (uncredited)
1950
Film
O. Henry's Full House
Mr. Schultz (segment "The Gift of the Magi")
1952
Film
The Fountainhead
Old Watchman (uncredited)
1949
Film
A Stolen Life
Bartender (uncredited)
1946
Film
The Man Who Came to Dinner
Detective (uncredited)
1941
Filmography
1959FilmWestboundas Townsman (uncredited)1958FilmAuntie Mameas Front Row Audience at Play (uncredited)1957FilmThe Helen Morgan Storyas Night Club Patron (uncredited)1957FilmShoot-Out at Medicine Bendas Barfly (uncredited)1956FilmThe Opposite Sexas Club Patron (uncredited)1956FilmSerenadeas Opera Attendee (uncredited)1955FilmIllegalas Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)1955FilmTo Catch a Thiefas Party Guest (uncredited)1955FilmTall Man Ridingas Townsman (uncredited)1954FilmOutlaw's Son1954FilmThe Silver Chaliceas Silversmith (uncredited)1954FilmSo You Want to Know Your Relativesas Mr. Watson (uncredited)1954FilmA Star Is Bornas Audience Member (uncredited)1954FilmLucky Meas Passerby on Street (uncredited)1954FilmRiding Shotgunas Townsman (uncredited)1954FilmPhantom of the Rue Morgueas Crowd Spectator (uncredited)1954FilmRacing Bloodas Smithy1953FilmSo You Think You Can't Sleepas Sleeping patient in waiting room1953FilmCrime Waveas Old Man Crossing Street (uncredited)1953FilmMurder Without Tearsas Sergeant-at-Arms1953FilmSo You Want to Be a Musicianas Restaurant diner1952FilmHans Christian Andersenas Gendarme #11952FilmStrop, Look and Listenas Pierpont Alloy1952FilmSpringfield Rifleas Barfly (uncredited)1952FilmO. Henry's Full Houseas Mr. Schultz (segment "The Gift of the Magi")1952FilmCarson Cityas Townsman (uncredited)1952FilmSo You Want to Enjoy Lifeas Boat Salesman / Flugleman's Assistant (uncredited)1952FilmMy Six Convictsas Store Detective1952FilmRoom for One More1951FilmStrangers on a Trainas Tennis Match Spectator / Carnival Attendee (uncredited)1951FilmGoodbye, My Fancyas Party Guest (Uncredited)1951TVThe Adventures of Wild Bill Hickokas Doc Jones (uncredited)1951FilmThe Enforcer1951FilmStorm Warningas Townsman (uncredited)1950FilmRevenue Agentas Sgt. Wallace1950FilmSo You Want a Raise1950FilmThe Flame and the Arrowas Guard (uncredited)1950FilmSo You Want to Hold Your Husbandas Lamb - Curry's Partner1950FilmThe Damned Don't Cryas Man on Dock (uncredited)1950FilmSo You Think You're Not Guiltyas Police Turnkey (uncredited)1950FilmBackfireas Fight Fan (uncredited)1949FilmThe Inspector Generalas Villager (uncredited)1949FilmSo You Want to Be an Actoras Counter Man1949FilmDancing in the Darkas Deputy1949FilmSo You Want to Be a Muscle Manas Delivery Man1949FilmThe Fountainheadas Old Watchman (uncredited)1949FilmColorado Territoryas Train Engineer (uncredited)1949FilmFlamingo Roadas Train Conductor (uncredited)1949FilmHomicideas Officer O'Brien1948FilmSilver Riveras Townsman (uncredited)1948FilmThe Noose Hangs Highas Cop (uncredited)1948FilmSo You Want an Apartmentas Apartment Manager with a Vacancy (uncredited)1947FilmThe Unfaithfulas Courtroom Spectator1947FilmNora Prentissas Turnkey (uncredited)1946FilmSo You Think You're a Nervous Wreckas Fred1946FilmThe Man I Loveas Mac the Doorman (uncredited)1946FilmAndy Plays Hookeyas Policeman1946FilmThe People's Choice1946FilmNever Say Goodbyeas Policeman (uncredited)1946FilmSo You Want to Play the Horsesas Detective (uncredited)1946FilmNight and Dayas First-Nighter (uncredited)1946FilmMonkey Businessmenas Smiling Sam McGann (uncredited)1946FilmA Stolen Lifeas Bartender (uncredited)1946FilmHiss and Yellas Policeman (uncredited)1946FilmThree Strangersas Man on the Street / Man in Pub (uncredited)1946FilmDetour to Dangeras Det. Kelsey1945FilmHow DOooo You Doas Detective1945FilmFrontier Daysas Mayor Stone (uncredited)1945FilmSaratoga Trunkas Train Conductor (uncredited)1945FilmMildred Pierceas Bumped First Night Diner (uncredited)1945FilmCome Out Fightingas Mr. McGinnis, Sr. (as Fred Kelsy)1945FilmIf a Body Meets a Bodyas Detective1945FilmChristmas in Connecticutas Harper (uncredited)1945FilmSnooper Service1945FilmThe Strange Mr. Gregoryas Lefert1944FilmCrime by Nightas Dad Martin (uncredited)1944FilmMake Your Own Bedas Turnkey1944FilmTrial by Triggeras Jerry (uncredited)1944FilmMr. Skeffingtonas Cop in Raid (uncredited)1944FilmShine on Harvest Moonas Policeman in patrol car (uncredited)1944FilmRoaring Guns1943FilmA Gem of a Jamas Police Chief1943FilmTrue to Lifeas Cop (uncredited)1943FilmOld Acquaintanceas Train Conductor / Man at Radio Broadcast (uncredited)1943FilmFood and Magic1943FilmNorthern Pursuitas Train Conductor (uncredited)1943FilmThank Your Lucky Starsas Pub Waiter in Errol Flynn Number (uncredited)1943FilmMurder on the Waterfrontas Capt. Beal1943FilmHere Comes Mr. Zerkas Policeman1943FilmAction in the North Atlanticas Joe (uncredited)1943FilmOne Dangerous Nightas Detective Dickens1942FilmGentleman Jimas Sutro (uncredited)1942FilmX Marks the Spotas Police Officer Martin1942FilmDear! Deer!as Policeman1942FilmCounter-Espionageas Dickens1942FilmThe Daughter of Rosie O'Gradyas Policeman (uncredited)1942FilmSpy Shipas Night Watchman1942FilmIn This Our Lifeas Jailer (uncredited)1942FilmLarceny, Inc.as Bronson1942FilmMurder in the Big Houseas "Screw"1942FilmI Was Framedas Drunk1942FilmMy Favorite Blondeas Sam - Policeman1942FilmLady Gangsteras Policeman (uncredited)1942FilmBullet Scarsas Police Chief Hansen1942FilmWild Bill Hickok Ridesas Jailer1941FilmPacific Blackoutas Cop1941FilmThe Man Who Came to Dinneras Detective (uncredited)1941FilmThey Died with Their Boots Onas Ft. Lincoln Bartender (uncredited)1941FilmAt the Stroke of Twelveas Police Sergeant1941FilmSecrets of the Lone Wolfas Wesley Dickens1941FilmOne Foot in Heavenas Train Conductor (uncredited)1941FilmInvisible Ghostas Detective Ryan1941FilmMr. District Attorneyas Officer McCloskey1941FilmThe Lone Wolf Takes a Chanceas Detective Dickens1940FilmMisbehaving Husbandsas Sgt. Murphy1940FilmThe Lone Wolf Keeps a Dateas Dickens1940FilmMexican Spitfire Out Westas Jim - Detective1940FilmThe Green Archeras Capt. Thompson1940FilmThe Golden Fleecingas Cop (uncredited)1940FilmDeadwood Dickas Bottles1940FilmThe Lone Wolf Meets a Ladyas Dickens1940FilmMutiny in the Countyas Policeman1940FilmThe Lone Wolf Strikesas Dickens1940FilmHigh Schoolas Junk Man1940FilmThe Man Who Wouldn't Talkas Bailiff1939FilmToo Busy to Workas Hank Fidler1939FilmHeaven with a Barbed Wire Fenceas Pete - Railroad Detective1939FilmCharlie Chan at Treasure Islandas Detective - in Cab and at Theatre1939FilmChicken Wagon Familyas Policeman1939FilmCharlie Chan in Renoas Reno Desk Sergeant (uncredited)1939FilmTell No Talesas Policeman at School (uncredited)1939FilmMoving Vanitiesas Police Officer (uncredited)1939FilmClock Wiseas Landlord1939FilmRough Riders' Round-upas Agitator1939FilmTiny Troublesas Judge1938FilmDown on the Farmas Bit Role1938FilmStraight, Place and Showas Cop at Racetrack1938FilmMany Sappy Returnsas Finnegan1938FilmJosetteas Hotel Detective1938FilmSafety in Numbersas Cop1938FilmBerth Quakesas Train Conductor1938FilmNight Spotas Police Band Leader1938FilmEverybody's Doing Itas Police Sergeant1937FilmLove and Hissesas Officer1937FilmBorrowing Troubleas Policeman1937FilmThat I May Liveas Abner Jenkins1937FilmOne Mile from Heavenas Smitty - Policeman1937FilmThe Lady Escapesas Man on telephone (uncredited)1937FilmWild and Woollyas Policeman (uncredited)1937FilmSuper-Sleuthas Jailer1937FilmShe Had to Eatas Police Officer Tracy (uncredited)1937FilmBig Businessas Oil Man at Well1937FilmSlave Shipas Seaman at Auction1937FilmAngel's Holidayas Conductor1937FilmLove Is Newsas Cop (uncredited)1937FilmTime Out for Romanceas Policeman1936FilmHigh Tensionas Desk Sergeant1936FilmPrivate Numberas Detective in Ellen's Apartment (Uncredited)1936FilmThe Witness Chairas Detective Costigan1936FilmAt Sea Ashoreas Cop (uncredited)1936FilmThe Little Red Schoolhouseas First Detective1936FilmThe Garden Murder Caseas Heath's Assistant (Uncredited)1935FilmThe Sagebrush Troubadouras Hank Polk1935FilmHot Moneyas Police Officer Kelsey (as Fred A. Kelsey)1935FilmThe Public Menaceas Mike - Cop1935FilmDiamond Jimas Horsley's Secretary1935FilmAtlantic Adventureas Police Officer Riley1935FilmDanger Aheadas Detective O'Brien1935FilmOne Frightened Nightas Sheriff Jenks1935FilmDeath Flies Eastas Police Lieutenant O'Brien1935FilmCarnivalas Bit Part1935FilmA Notorious Gentlemanas Detective1935FilmHorses' Collarsas Detective Hyden Zeke (uncredited)1934FilmLightning Strikes Twiceas Dugan1934FilmAmong the Missingas Police Sgt. Murphy1934FilmI'll Be Suing Youas Insurance Adjustor1934FilmTwentieth Centuryas Train Detective (uncredited)1934FilmRough Neckingas Joe Cuttlehammer Sr.1934FilmI'll Tell the Worldas Sergeant at Border1934FilmStrictly Fresh Yeggsas Policeman1934FilmSchool for Girlsas Detective1934FilmThe Crime Doctoras Bloodgood1934FilmBelovedas Mulvaney1934FilmThe Mothas Detective Blake1933FilmShadows of Sing Singas Murphy1933FilmThe Boweryas Detective Kelsey (uncredited)1933FilmQuiet Please!as Train Conductor1933FilmGold Diggers of 1933as Detective Jones (uncredited)1933FilmSailor's Luckas Cop1933FilmKing of the Jungleas Cop (uncredited)1933FilmThe Crime of the Centuryas Police Guard (uncredited)1932FilmBoys Will Be Boysas Doorman1932FilmIf I Had a Millionas Prison Jailer (uncredited)1932FilmRed Haired Alibias Corcoran1932FilmYoo-Hooas Detective1932FilmSpeak Easilyas Process Server1932FilmThe Iceman's Ballas Police Sergeant1932FilmGuilty as Hellas Detective Duffy1932FilmHuddleas Policeman (uncredited)1932FilmLove in High Gearas Detective Duffy1932FilmThe Trial of Vivienne Wareas Cop (uncredited)1932FilmShopping with Wifieas Det. Dugan1932FilmDiscarded Loversas Delaney1931FilmSide Showas Sheriff Hornsby1931FilmYoung Donovan's Kidas Collins1931FilmSubway Expressas Detective Kearney1931FilmScandal Sheetas Detective Sgt. Vincent Molloy1931FilmThe Naughty Flirtas Policeman (uncredited)1930FilmGoing Wildas The Conductor1930FilmOnly Saps Workas Murphy (uncredited)1930FilmShe Got What She Wanted1930FilmMen Without Lawas Deputy Sheriff Jeff1930FilmScarlet Pagesas Murphy1930FilmScreen Snapshots Series 10, No. 1as Self - Tour Guide1930FilmThe Laurel-Hardy Murder Caseas Chief of Detectives (uncredited)1930FilmRoad to Paradiseas Casey1930FilmThe Girl Said Noas Policeman1930FilmWide Openas Detective1930FilmMurder on the Roofas Ryan1930FilmThe Woman Racketas Police Captain1929FilmSmiling Irish Eyesas County Fair Manager1929FilmThe Donovan Affairas Carney1929FilmWrong Again1929FilmThe Fakeras Police Detective1928FilmThe Last Warningas Inspector1928FilmNaughty Babyas Dugan1928FilmA Woman of Affairsas Detective (uncredited)1928FilmOn Trialas Clerk1928FilmPlastered in Paris1928FilmThe Wright Ideaas M. T. Flatt1928FilmA Midnight Adventureas Cassidy1928FilmHarold Teenas Mr. Lovewell1928FilmLadies' Night in a Turkish Bathas Detective1928FilmTenderloinas Detective Simpson1928FilmWhile the City Sleepsas Detective in Shadow Box1927FilmThe Gorillaas Mulligan1927FilmThe 13th Juroras The Detective1927FilmThe Thirteenth Houras Det. Shaw1927FilmSoft Cushionsas The Police1927FilmJewish Prudenceas Rent Collector1927FilmHeld by the Lawas Detective1927FilmOrchids and Ermineas Police Sergeant1926FilmThere Ain't No Santa Clausas Store Detective (uncredited)1926FilmThe Third Degreeas Assistant Chief of Detectives1926FilmAtta Boyas Detective1926FilmBromo and Julietas The Detective (uncredited)1926FilmCrazy Like a Foxas Man with Badge on Train (uncredited)1926FilmSay It with Babiesas Policeman1926FilmThe Social Highwaymanas Chief of Police1926FilmThe Mystery Pilotas Skipper Larsen1926FilmThat's My Babyas Murphy1926FilmDog Shyas Cop1925FilmThe Uneasy Three1925FilmSeven Sinnersas Policeman1925FilmSeven Keys to Baldpate1925FilmLittle Annie Rooneyas Desk Sergeant (uncredited)1925FilmThe Lawful Cheateras Tom Horan1925FilmPaths to Paradiseas Confederate1925FilmSmooth as Satinas Kersey1925FilmFriendly Enemies1925FilmExcuse Meas George Ketchem1925FilmYouth and Adventureas Red Mullin1924FilmTraffic in Heartsas Tim Tracy1924FilmThe Yankee Consulas Agent John J. Doyle1924FilmThe Night Hawk1923FilmLights Outas Decker1923FilmBag and Baggageas Fred1923FilmThe Eleventh Houras The Submarine Commander1923FilmSouls for Saleas Detective Quinn (uncredited)1923FilmLoveboundas Detective Hahn1922FilmCaptain Fly-by-Nightas Gomez1922FilmDeserted at the Altaras The Other Man1922FilmManslaughteras Member of the Jury (uncredited)1922FilmDon't Shootas Police Officer1922FilmSouth of Suvaas Karl Swartz1922FilmOne Clear Callas Starnes1922FilmThe Song of Lifeas Police Inspector1921FilmThere Are No Villainsas Dugall1921FilmThe Match-Breakeras Detective1921FilmThe Last Cardas Detective (uncredited)1921FilmPuppets of Fateas Bobs1921FilmThe Off-Shore Pirateas Sailor1920FilmAlias Jimmy Valentineas Bit Part (uncredited)1920FilmThe Third Generationas Brody1919FilmThe Fire Flingersas Sgt. Powers1919FilmThe Silk Lined Burglaras Capt. von Hoffmeier1919FilmThe Light of Victoryas Captain Eric von Prohme1918FilmThe Yellow Dogas Max Kummich1918FilmA Society Sensationas JIm Cox1918FilmThe Empty Cabas The Detective1917FilmThe Honor of an Outlawas The Deputy1914FilmArms and the Gringo1914FilmSilent Sandyas Silent Sandy1911FilmA Left Hook