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John Kelly

John Kelly

Actor · Died December 9, 1947, aged 46 · Boston, Massachusetts, USA

John Kelly was born on 29 June 1901 in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. He was an actor, known for Bringing Up Baby (1938), My Gal Sal (1942) and Three Sons o' Guns (1941). He died on 9 December 1947 in Los Angeles, California, USA.

Biography from IMDb.

Born
June 29, 1901
Died
December 9, 1947 (aged 46)
From
Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
32 on MovieCove · 80 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 39 days to Oct 28Down 23% in 30 days

What are John Kelly's films like?

Across a limited sample of 4 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
45%
Bonds
28%
Self
21%
Power
5%
Justice2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds2 titles, browse their movies with this themeBetrayal2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 4 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 2 · Serious 1 · Dark 1

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 4 · Stylized 0 · Heightened 0

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 2 · Charged 2 · Intense 0

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 3 · Shifting 1 · Whiplash 0

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 2 · Some laughs 1 · Funny 1

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 1 · Even-paced 2 · Relentless 1

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 3 · Engaged 1 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 4 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 0

Moods and endings

endings shown from 5 titles

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
2
Joyful
2
Triumphant
1
Hopeful
1
Romantic
1
Other
4

How their films linger

Feel-good3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch John Kelly's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 11 of their 32 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (6).

Subscription and free streaming for John Kelly's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

80 credits, 32 with a MovieCove page.

  • Wendy(2020)

    as The Olds

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Captain Boycott (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1947)

    as Sheriff

  • The Dark Corner(1946)

    Stunts · as Policeman at Gallery (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Young Widow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    as Cab Driver (Uncredited)

  • The Tiger Woman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1945)

    as Sylvester

  • Trail to Vengeance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1945)

    as Henchman Bully

  • Summer Storm(1944)

    as Bit Player (uncredited) · as Policeman (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Coney Island (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    as Drunken Bricklayer

  • No Time for Love(1943)

    as Morrisey (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Ten Gentlemen from West Point(1942)

    as Bombardier (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Moontide(1942)

    as Mac

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Jail House Blues (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Snork

  • The Pittsburgh Kid (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Knockout Riley

  • Manpower (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as 28 Club Bouncer (uncredited)

  • Three Sons o' Guns (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Buffalo Bill Oxenstern

  • Road to Singapore(1940)

    as Sailor (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Black Friday (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Taxi Driver

  • Castle on the Hudson(1940)

    as Rockpile Convict (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • My Little Chickadee(1940)

    as Henchman (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • The Green Hornet(1940)

    as Pete Hawks

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Meet Dr. Christian(1939)

    as Cass

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Kid Nightingale (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Dynamite Dennis (uncredited)

  • These Glamour Girls (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as The Sailor 'Feather Foot' (uncredited)

  • They Shall Have Music(1939)

    as Kelly (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Wolf Call(1939)

    as Bull Nelson

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Sudden Money (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Butch

  • Sergeant Madden (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Nero

  • Convicts at Large (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Buggsie

  • Exposed(1938)

    as Boxer

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Female Fugitive (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Red, Dunning's chauffeur

  • Bringing Up Baby(1938)

    as Elmer

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Everybody's Doing It(1938)

    as Steve's Henchman

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Merry Go Round of 1938 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Bus Driver

  • Portia on Trial (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Hank

  • Live, Love and Learn (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Sailor (uncredited)

  • Exclusive(1937)

    as Cab Driver

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Angel's Holiday (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Maxie

  • The Grand Bounce (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as 'Lead-Head' Hogan (uncredited)

  • Wings Over Honolulu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Gob

  • You Can't Buy Luck (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Puggy (uncredited)

  • 23 1/2 Hours Leave(1937)

    as Sgt. Tubbs

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • After the Thin Man(1936)

    as Harold (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Fugitive in the Sky(1936)

    as Kid Couch

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • The Devil Is a Sissy(1936)

    as 'Shivvy' the Tire Man

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Lady Luck (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Joe - First Hood

  • The Gentleman from Louisiana (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as John L. Sullivan

  • Easy Money(1936)

    as Henchman Carney

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • The Bridge of Sighs(1936)

    as Tommy, the Taxi Driver-Thug

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Dr. Socrates (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Al - a Gangster

  • Woman Wanted (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Truck Driver Hitting Police Car (uncredited)

  • Public Hero Number 1(1935)

    as Federal Agent / Truck Driver Smuggling Gun (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Motive for Revenge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Detective Larkin

  • Stolen Harmony (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Bates (uncredited)

  • West Point of the Air (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Randolph Air Field Mechanic

  • The Band Plays On (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    as Truck Driver

  • Kid Millions(1934)

    as Adolph Wilson

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Many Happy Returns (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    as Mike

  • Little Miss Marker (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    as Canvas Back

  • Son of a Sailor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    as Sailor (uncredited)

  • Havana Widows (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    as Tully, Star Turkish Bath Attendant (uncredited) · as Bank Teller (uncredited)

  • Good-bye Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    as Sgt. Dugan the Jailer

  • Broadway Thru a Keyhole (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    as Louie (uncredited)

  • Ace of Aces(1933)

    as Gloski (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • The Bowery(1933)

    as Lumpy Hogan (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Morning Glory(1933)

    as Prop Man (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Three Cornered Moon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    as Truck Driver (uncredited)

  • The Nuisance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    as Streetcar Conductor (uncredited)

  • The Secret of Madame Blanche(1933)

    as French Sailor (Uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Big City Blues (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1932)

    as Driver (uncredited)

  • Scarface(1932)

    as One of Costillo's Hoods (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • The Mouthpiece (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1932)

    as Cab Driver (Uncredited)

  • Suicide Fleet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1931)

    as Sailor at Sally's (uncredited)

  • Subway Express (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1931)

    as Motorman

  • The Doorway to Hell(1930)

    as Whitey Eckhart (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • The Man Hunter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1930)

    as Charlie

  • From Headquarters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1929)

    as O'Farrell

  • The Docks of New York(1928)

    as Sailor Barfly (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • Dressed to Kill (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1928)

    as Biff Simpson

  • Sharp Shooters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1928)

    as Cafe Mug (uncredited)

  • After Midnight (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1927)

    as Bit Role (uncredited)

Career shape

Star power in the 88th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 80 titles from 1927 to 2020.

Most popular right now

The Bridge of Sighs (1936)

Film career

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting80 of 80: 79 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score64thOther crew1 of 80: 0 only other crew, 1 with another role

By decade

1920s5 · acting1930s55 · acting1940s19 · 19 acting · 1 crew2020s1 · acting

Billing

usually 20th · top billed in 0% of 11 roles
2838

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do John Kelly's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 64th percentile, the median of all 32; across a limited sample of 4 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 24th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

24thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 4

Approval · how many liked their films

9thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 4

Reach · how many have seen their films

7thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 4

Midcredits score across 32 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up6
  • 50th to 74th15
  • 25th to 49th7
  • Below 25th4

Shape of the crowd

18 of their 32 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved3
  • Crowd Pleaser18
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed9

Most divisive · actor

Wendy (2020)

64th percentile spread · 27% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Bringing Up Baby (1938)

Midcredits 96th · 83% liked

Reviewers score the acting 48/100 in their films, across 4 reviewed titles; fans 64, detractors 35. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does John Kelly work with?

People who share at least 2 of John Kelly's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Phil Rosen shares the most, 2.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Cinematographers

Producers