Keith, Brian, Sgt

Following is a brief description of an incident encountered by Keith during World War II:
1941-1945 served with USMC - decorated with the Air Medal. "Brian was a Radio-Gunner in the rear cockpit of a two-man Douglass "Dauntless" (SDB) dive-bomber in a U.S. Marine squadron. During an attack on Rabaul, his plane was badly damaged by enemy ground fire. The pilot struggled to keep the plane in the air. Unable to keep up with the others, it fell behind. Two Japanese "Zero" fighters attacked the crippled plane from the rear. Both of Brian's machine guns jammed. He fired red tracer ammunition from his pistol. The Japs broke off the attack, but soon came again. Now completely out of ammunition, Brian reached for the Very pistol and fired a red rocket/flare at the fighters which immediately pulled up to figure out what that was. On the radio, Keith heard a New Zealand pilot saying, "Dont sweat it, Yank, I've got them surrounded up here!"



Actor. Born in Bayonne, New Jersey . Son of actor Robert Keith and actress Helena Shipman. He grew up on the road with his parents, who toured in plays. His first film was in 1924 at age 3 in "Pied Piper Malone". His parents divorced and his father went to Hollywood and started his television and movie career. His mother continued to do stage and radio and her mother and grandmother helped to raise him on Long Island. He read at a very early age and he was reading books way beyond his age level. He acted in radio programs and on stage. He worked as an extra in several films before speaking roles and subsequent stardom. He joined the Marines and was a machine gunner. He served from 1941-45. He was awarded the Air Navy Medal. He then returned to New York and started his acting career on Broadway with plays, like "Mr. Roberts" and "The Moon is Blue". His biggest break came in 1966 when he landed the role of "Uncle Bill" on the popular television situation comedy "Family Affair", a role which garnered him three Emmy nominations for Best Actor. The show made him a household name. He went on to star in such television series as "The Brian Keith Show", "Heartland", and "Hardcastle and McCormick". He also made over 60 movies in his career. He married three times, first to Frances Helm, then in 1955 to Judith Landon, and finally in 1970 to Hawaiian actress Victoria Young. He fathered a total of four children, but also adopted three others with Judith Landon. His first son died in childhood. One of his children with Victoria Young was Daisy Keith, who also became an actress, appearing with her father in the short-lived series "Heartland" in 1989. During the later part of his life he suffered from emphysema and lung cancer. He was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the age of 75. He is buried next to his daughter Daisy, who also committed suicide just 2 months earlier.

LOVED HIS MOVIES GROWING UP, HE IS STILL A PERSONAL HERO OF MINE, SEMPER FI, SLEEP WELL MARINE.


Brian Keith, An Uncommon Man

Brian Keith usually portrayed strong characters in unusual situations; and, yet, you always had a feeling that he was like someone you knew, or you could get to know. At the beginning of his career he was a romantic leading man; his irascible nature was highlighted more and more as he grew older: it was espeicially apparent in Centennial where he portrayed the heroic Sheriff Axel Dumire, and what I consider his finest role as President Theodore Roosevelt in "The Wind and The Lion". Brian played opposite Sean Connery and it truly was a battle of the Titans: Brian is more than a match for Sean Connery in this truly wonderful movie. After watching "The Wind and The Lion", I now think Teddy Roosevelt must have been like Brian Keith portrayed him. And when I picture Teddy Roosevelt I don't see John Singer Sargent's famous portrait of the former President; I see Brian Keith.

Brian Keith was also capable of displaying a surprising gentleness, particularly in "The Parent Trap", "The Loneliest Runner" and "Family Affair". "The Parent Trap" is a wonderful story about the complications of love found and lost and found again.. The "Loneliest Runner" was based on Michael Landon's unhappy childhood. Michael later confided that only Brian could play the gentle role of his father and make it believable. Michael considered his father his greatest hero. I think that is the greatest complement Brian ever received. Brian Keith was a great actor.