Fred Kelsey
Acting
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.
Notable Works
Prominent titles featuring Fred Kelsey
Auntie Mame
1958
Filmography
Acting (293)
1959
Westboundas Townsman (uncredited)
6.4
1958
Auntie Mameas Front Row Audience at Play (uncredited)
7.0
1957
The Helen Morgan Storyas Night Club Patron (uncredited)
5.3
1957
Shoot-Out at Medicine Bendas Barfly (uncredited)
6.0
1956
The Opposite Sexas Club Patron (uncredited)
5.4
1956
Serenadeas Opera Attendee (uncredited)
5.6
1955
Illegalas Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
6.5
1955
To Catch a Thiefas Party Guest (uncredited)
7.3
1955
Tall Man Ridingas Townsman (uncredited)
5.8
1954
10.0
1954
The Silver Chaliceas Silversmith (uncredited)
4.4
1954
So You Want to Know Your Relativesas Mr. Watson (uncredited)
10.0
1954
A Star Is Bornas Audience Member (uncredited)
7.1
1954
Lucky Meas Passerby on Street (uncredited)
6.8
1954
Riding Shotgunas Townsman (uncredited)
6.0
1954
Phantom of the Rue Morgueas Crowd Spectator (uncredited)
6.2
1954
Racing Bloodas Smithy
10.0
1953
So You Think You Can't Sleepas Sleeping patient in waiting room
6.5
1953
Crime Waveas Old Man Crossing Street (uncredited)
7.1
1953
Murder Without Tearsas Sergeant-at-Arms
5.8
1953
So You Want to Be a Musicianas Restaurant diner
9.0
1952
Hans Christian Andersenas Gendarme #1
6.2
1952
Strop, Look and Listenas Pierpont Alloy
8.0
1952
Springfield Rifleas Barfly (uncredited)
6.4
1952
O. Henry's Full Houseas Mr. Schultz (segment "The Gift of the Magi")
6.9
1952
Carson Cityas Townsman (uncredited)
6.2
1952
So You Want to Enjoy Lifeas Boat Salesman / Flugleman's Assistant (uncredited)
6.3
1952
My Six Convictsas Store Detective
6.5
6.6
1951
Strangers on a Trainas Tennis Match Spectator / Carnival Attendee (uncredited)
7.7
1951
Goodbye, My Fancyas Party Guest (Uncredited)
6.4
1951
7.1
1951
Storm Warningas Townsman (uncredited)
6.6
1950
Revenue Agentas Sgt. Wallace
4.0
7.0
1950
The Flame and the Arrowas Guard (uncredited)
6.3
1950
So You Want to Hold Your Husbandas Lamb - Curry's Partner
9.0
1950
The Damned Don't Cryas Man on Dock (uncredited)
7.0
1950
So You Think You're Not Guiltyas Police Turnkey (uncredited)
6.1
1950
Backfireas Fight Fan (uncredited)
5.9
1949
The Inspector Generalas Villager (uncredited)
6.6
1949
So You Want to Be an Actoras Counter Man
10.0
1949
Dancing in the Darkas Deputy
6.0
1949
So You Want to Be a Muscle Manas Delivery Man
8.0
1949
The Fountainheadas Old Watchman (uncredited)
6.8
1949
Colorado Territoryas Train Engineer (uncredited)
7.0
1949
Flamingo Roadas Train Conductor (uncredited)
7.0
1949
Homicideas Officer O'Brien
5.7
1948
Silver Riveras Townsman (uncredited)
6.1
1948
The Noose Hangs Highas Cop (uncredited)
6.9
1948
So You Want an Apartmentas Apartment Manager with a Vacancy (uncredited)
5.9
1947
The Unfaithfulas Courtroom Spectator
5.9
1947
Nora Prentissas Turnkey (uncredited)
6.3
1946
6.6
1946
The Man I Loveas Mac the Doorman (uncredited)
6.1
1946
Andy Plays Hookeyas Policeman
10.0
9.0
1946
Never Say Goodbyeas Policeman (uncredited)
6.3
1946
So You Want to Play the Horsesas Detective (uncredited)
6.5
1946
Night and Dayas First-Nighter (uncredited)
6.0
1946
Monkey Businessmenas Smiling Sam McGann (uncredited)
6.4
1946
A Stolen Lifeas Bartender (uncredited)
6.4
1946
Hiss and Yellas Policeman (uncredited)
5.0
1946
Three Strangersas Man on the Street / Man in Pub (uncredited)
6.4
1946
Detour to Dangeras Det. Kelsey
8.0
1945
How DOooo You Doas Detective
7.5
1945
Frontier Daysas Mayor Stone (uncredited)
6.0
1945
Saratoga Trunkas Train Conductor (uncredited)
6.1
1945
Mildred Pierceas Bumped First Night Diner (uncredited)
7.6
1945
Come Out Fightingas Mr. McGinnis, Sr. (as Fred Kelsy)
7.5
1945
If a Body Meets a Bodyas Detective
5.6
1945
Christmas in Connecticutas Harper (uncredited)
7.0
1945
8.0
1945
The Strange Mr. Gregoryas Lefert
5.5
1944
Crime by Nightas Dad Martin (uncredited)
6.4
1944
Make Your Own Bedas Turnkey
6.0
1944
Trial by Triggeras Jerry (uncredited)
5.7
1944
Mr. Skeffingtonas Cop in Raid (uncredited)
6.8
1944
Shine on Harvest Moonas Policeman in patrol car (uncredited)
6.8
1944
8.0
1943
A Gem of a Jamas Police Chief
7.3
1943
True to Lifeas Cop (uncredited)
8.0
1943
Old Acquaintanceas Train Conductor / Man at Radio Broadcast (uncredited)
7.1
1943
5.8
1943
Northern Pursuitas Train Conductor (uncredited)
6.1
1943
Thank Your Lucky Starsas Pub Waiter in Errol Flynn Number (uncredited)
6.2
1943
Murder on the Waterfrontas Capt. Beal
7.0
1943
Here Comes Mr. Zerkas Policeman
10.0
1943
Action in the North Atlanticas Joe (uncredited)
7.1
1943
One Dangerous Nightas Detective Dickens
5.1
1942
Gentleman Jimas Sutro (uncredited)
7.2
1942
X Marks the Spotas Police Officer Martin
4.5
1942
Dear! Deer!as Policeman
10.0
1942
Counter-Espionageas Dickens
6.7
1942
The Daughter of Rosie O'Gradyas Policeman (uncredited)
9.0
1942
Spy Shipas Night Watchman
7.0
1942
In This Our Lifeas Jailer (uncredited)
6.9
1942
Larceny, Inc.as Bronson
7.1
1942
Murder in the Big Houseas "Screw"
6.8
1942
I Was Framedas Drunk
5.0
1942
My Favorite Blondeas Sam - Policeman
6.4
1942
Lady Gangsteras Policeman (uncredited)
5.7
1942
Bullet Scarsas Police Chief Hansen
6.5
1942
Wild Bill Hickok Ridesas Jailer
5.5
1941
Pacific Blackoutas Cop
6.6
1941
The Man Who Came to Dinneras Detective (uncredited)
7.0
1941
They Died with Their Boots Onas Ft. Lincoln Bartender (uncredited)
6.7
1941
At the Stroke of Twelveas Police Sergeant
6.0
1941
Secrets of the Lone Wolfas Wesley Dickens
7.0
1941
One Foot in Heavenas Train Conductor (uncredited)
6.9
1941
Invisible Ghostas Detective Ryan
5.3
1941
Mr. District Attorneyas Officer McCloskey
5.8
1941
The Lone Wolf Takes a Chanceas Detective Dickens
6.1
1940
Misbehaving Husbandsas Sgt. Murphy
5.2
1940
The Lone Wolf Keeps a Dateas Dickens
6.2
1940
Mexican Spitfire Out Westas Jim - Detective
5.0
1940
The Green Archeras Capt. Thompson
6.6
1940
The Golden Fleecingas Cop (uncredited)
5.9
1940
Deadwood Dickas Bottles
7.0
1940
The Lone Wolf Meets a Ladyas Dickens
6.4
1940
Mutiny in the Countyas Policeman
1940
The Lone Wolf Strikesas Dickens
6.8
1940
High Schoolas Junk Man
6.7
1940
The Man Who Wouldn't Talkas Bailiff
5.3
1939
Too Busy to Workas Hank Fidler
10.0
1939
Heaven with a Barbed Wire Fenceas Pete - Railroad Detective
6.6
1939
Charlie Chan at Treasure Islandas Detective - in Cab and at Theatre
6.7
1939
Chicken Wagon Familyas Policeman
10.0
1939
Charlie Chan in Renoas Reno Desk Sergeant (uncredited)
6.5
1939
Tell No Talesas Policeman at School (uncredited)
5.4
1939
Moving Vanitiesas Police Officer (uncredited)
8.0
1939
Clock Wiseas Landlord
9.0
1939
Rough Riders' Round-upas Agitator
5.3
1939
Tiny Troublesas Judge
6.8
1938
Down on the Farmas Bit Role
10.0
1938
Straight, Place and Showas Cop at Racetrack
7.0
1938
Many Sappy Returnsas Finnegan
6.5
1938
Josetteas Hotel Detective
7.2
1938
Safety in Numbersas Cop
7.0
1938
Berth Quakesas Train Conductor
8.0
1938
Night Spotas Police Band Leader
4.6
1938
Everybody's Doing Itas Police Sergeant
6.0
1937
Love and Hissesas Officer
10.0
1937
Borrowing Troubleas Policeman
7.0
1937
That I May Liveas Abner Jenkins
7.3
1937
One Mile from Heavenas Smitty - Policeman
6.6
1937
The Lady Escapesas Man on telephone (uncredited)
7.0
1937
Wild and Woollyas Policeman (uncredited)
10.0
1937
Super-Sleuthas Jailer
5.6
1937
She Had to Eatas Police Officer Tracy (uncredited)
5.6
1937
Big Businessas Oil Man at Well
7.5
1937
Slave Shipas Seaman at Auction
5.1
1937
Angel's Holidayas Conductor
6.0
1937
Love Is Newsas Cop (uncredited)
6.3
1937
Time Out for Romanceas Policeman
6.0
1936
High Tensionas Desk Sergeant
5.8
1936
Private Numberas Detective in Ellen's Apartment (Uncredited)
6.7
1936
The Witness Chairas Detective Costigan
6.6
1936
At Sea Ashoreas Cop (uncredited)
8.0
1936
The Little Red Schoolhouseas First Detective
6.7
1936
The Garden Murder Caseas Heath's Assistant (Uncredited)
5.7
1935
The Sagebrush Troubadouras Hank Polk
6.4
1935
Hot Moneyas Police Officer Kelsey (as Fred A. Kelsey)
10.0
1935
The Public Menaceas Mike - Cop
6.0
1935
Diamond Jimas Horsley's Secretary
6.5
1935
Atlantic Adventureas Police Officer Riley
6.0
1935
Danger Aheadas Detective O'Brien
5.0
1935
One Frightened Nightas Sheriff Jenks
5.6
1935
Death Flies Eastas Police Lieutenant O'Brien
7.0
1935
Carnivalas Bit Part
8.0
1935
A Notorious Gentlemanas Detective
6.5
1935
Horses' Collarsas Detective Hyden Zeke (uncredited)
6.4
1934
Lightning Strikes Twiceas Dugan
5.3
1934
Among the Missingas Police Sgt. Murphy
6.5
1934
I'll Be Suing Youas Insurance Adjustor
9.0
1934
Twentieth Centuryas Train Detective (uncredited)
6.8
1934
Rough Neckingas Joe Cuttlehammer Sr.
10.0
1934
I'll Tell the Worldas Sergeant at Border
7.0
1934
Strictly Fresh Yeggsas Policeman
1934
School for Girlsas Detective
7.5
1934
The Crime Doctoras Bloodgood
3.8
1934
Belovedas Mulvaney
9.0
1934
The Mothas Detective Blake
1933
Shadows of Sing Singas Murphy
7.0
1933
The Boweryas Detective Kelsey (uncredited)
5.4
1933
Quiet Please!as Train Conductor
6.0
1933
Gold Diggers of 1933as Detective Jones (uncredited)
7.2
1933
Sailor's Luckas Cop
6.0
1933
King of the Jungleas Cop (uncredited)
5.8
1933
The Crime of the Centuryas Police Guard (uncredited)
6.7
1932
Boys Will Be Boysas Doorman
10.0
1932
If I Had a Millionas Prison Jailer (uncredited)
6.5
1932
Red Haired Alibias Corcoran
4.8
1932
Yoo-Hooas Detective
8.0
1932
Speak Easilyas Process Server
5.8
1932
The Iceman's Ballas Police Sergeant
4.0
1932
Guilty as Hellas Detective Duffy
6.7
1932
Huddleas Policeman (uncredited)
7.0
1932
Love in High Gearas Detective Duffy
6.0
1932
The Trial of Vivienne Wareas Cop (uncredited)
9.0
1932
Shopping with Wifieas Det. Dugan
5.0
1932
Discarded Loversas Delaney
4.9
1931
Side Showas Sheriff Hornsby
5.6
1931
Young Donovan's Kidas Collins
10.0
1931
Subway Expressas Detective Kearney
10.0
1931
Scandal Sheetas Detective Sgt. Vincent Molloy
10.0
1931
The Naughty Flirtas Policeman (uncredited)
6.2
1930
Going Wildas The Conductor
7.0
1930
Only Saps Workas Murphy (uncredited)
6.0
10.0
1930
Men Without Lawas Deputy Sheriff Jeff
8.0
1930
Scarlet Pagesas Murphy
7.0
1930
Screen Snapshots Series 10, No. 1as Self - Tour Guide
1930
The Laurel-Hardy Murder Caseas Chief of Detectives (uncredited)
6.9
1930
Road to Paradiseas Casey
6.4
1930
The Girl Said Noas Policeman
5.8
1930
Wide Openas Detective
5.8
1930
Murder on the Roofas Ryan
7.0
1930
The Woman Racketas Police Captain
6.0
1929
Smiling Irish Eyesas County Fair Manager
9.0
1929
The Donovan Affairas Carney
7.5
1929
6.8
1929
The Fakeras Police Detective
8.0
1928
The Last Warningas Inspector
6.7
1928
Naughty Babyas Dugan
5.0
1928
A Woman of Affairsas Detective (uncredited)
6.5
1928
On Trialas Clerk
7.0
10.0
1928
The Wright Ideaas M. T. Flatt
10.0
1928
A Midnight Adventureas Cassidy
10.0
1928
Harold Teenas Mr. Lovewell
7.0
1928
Ladies' Night in a Turkish Bathas Detective
10.0
1928
Tenderloinas Detective Simpson
10.0
1928
While the City Sleepsas Detective in Shadow Box
6.3
1927
The Gorillaas Mulligan
10.0
1927
The 13th Juroras The Detective
9.0
1927
The Thirteenth Houras Det. Shaw
8.0
1927
Soft Cushionsas The Police
7.0
1927
Jewish Prudenceas Rent Collector
7.0
1927
Held by the Lawas Detective
9.0
1927
Orchids and Ermineas Police Sergeant
5.9
1926
There Ain't No Santa Clausas Store Detective (uncredited)
6.8
1926
The Third Degreeas Assistant Chief of Detectives
7.0
1926
Atta Boyas Detective
9.0
1926
Bromo and Julietas The Detective (uncredited)
5.8
1926
Crazy Like a Foxas Man with Badge on Train (uncredited)
6.2
1926
Say It with Babiesas Policeman
6.5
1926
The Social Highwaymanas Chief of Police
8.0
1926
The Mystery Pilotas Skipper Larsen
7.0
1926
That's My Babyas Murphy
9.0
1926
Dog Shyas Cop
7.1
1925
7.0
1925
Seven Sinnersas Policeman
6.5
7.0
1925
Little Annie Rooneyas Desk Sergeant (uncredited)
7.1
1925
The Lawful Cheateras Tom Horan
1925
Paths to Paradiseas Confederate
6.2
1925
Smooth as Satinas Kersey
9.0
1925
9.0
1925
Excuse Meas George Ketchem
8.0
1925
Youth and Adventureas Red Mullin
9.0
1924
Traffic in Heartsas Tim Tracy
9.0
1924
The Yankee Consulas Agent John J. Doyle
9.0
1924
8.0
1923
Lights Outas Decker
8.0
1923
Bag and Baggageas Fred
8.0
1923
The Eleventh Houras The Submarine Commander
7.0
1923
Souls for Saleas Detective Quinn (uncredited)
6.3
1923
Loveboundas Detective Hahn
9.0
1922
Captain Fly-by-Nightas Gomez
6.8
1922
Deserted at the Altaras The Other Man
7.0
1922
Manslaughteras Member of the Jury (uncredited)
5.5
1922
Don't Shootas Police Officer
8.0
1922
South of Suvaas Karl Swartz
7.0
1922
One Clear Callas Starnes
7.0
1922
The Song of Lifeas Police Inspector
6.5
1921
There Are No Villainsas Dugall
9.0
1921
The Match-Breakeras Detective
9.0
1921
The Last Cardas Detective (uncredited)
8.0
1921
Puppets of Fateas Bobs
8.0
1921
The Off-Shore Pirateas Sailor
9.0
1920
Alias Jimmy Valentineas Bit Part (uncredited)
8.0
1920
The Third Generationas Brody
7.0
1919
The Fire Flingersas Sgt. Powers
7.0
1919
The Silk Lined Burglaras Capt. von Hoffmeier
9.0
1919
The Light of Victoryas Captain Eric von Prohme
10.0
1918
The Yellow Dogas Max Kummich
1918
A Society Sensationas JIm Cox
5.8
1918
The Empty Cabas The Detective
1917
The Honor of an Outlawas The Deputy
1914
Silent Sandyas Silent Sandy
1911
7.0
Production & Directing (29)
1918
The Purple LilyDirector
1917
Six-Shooter JusticeDirector
1917
The Wrong ManDirector
1917
The Golden BulletDirector
1917
The Mysterious OutlawDirector
1917
The Almost Good ManDirector
1917
A 44-Calibre MysteryDirector
1917
The Honor of an OutlawDirector
1917
The Honor of an OutlawScenario Writer
1917
Hair-Trigger BurkeScenario Writer
1917
The Fighting GringoDirector
1917
Goin' StraightDirector
1917
Goin' StraightScenario Writer
1917
The DrifterDirector
7.0
1917
The Outlaw and the LadyDirector
1917
The Outlaw and the LadyScenario Writer
1917
The FugitiveDirector
9.0
1917
The FugitiveProducer
9.0
1917
The Bad Man of CheyenneDirector
1917
The Bad Man of CheyenneWriter
1917
Blood MoneyDirector
1916
The Black TerrorDirector
8.0
1916
Brothers EqualDirector
7.0
1916
The NymphDirector
1915
The PretenderDirector
1915
Station ContentDirector
1915
Her Buried PastDirector
10.0
1914
The ExposureDirector
1914
Over the LedgeDirector