Fred Kelsey
ActingAbout Fred Kelsey
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.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Fred Kelsey reveals a career defined by exceptional commercial consistency. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Comedy
The majority of Fred Kelsey's filmography leans towards the Comedy genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 98% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Fred Kelsey remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Rough Necking, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Fred Kelsey Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Fred Kelsey's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Fred Kelsey.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 | Auntie Mame | Front Row Audience at Play (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1955 | To Catch a Thief | Party Guest (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1954 | A Star Is Born | Audience Member (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1954 | Lucky Me | Passerby on Street (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1953 | Crime Wave | Old Man Crossing Street (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1952 | O. Henry's Full House | Mr. Schultz (segment "The Gift of the Magi") | Hit | Similar → |
| 1952 | Room for One More | - | Hit | Similar → |
| 1951 | Strangers on a Train | Tennis Match Spectator / Carnival Attendee (uncredited) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1951 | The Enforcer | - | Hit | Similar → |
| 1951 | Storm Warning | Townsman (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1950 | The Damned Don't Cry | Man on Dock (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1949 | The Inspector General | Villager (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1949 | The Fountainhead | Old Watchman (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1949 | Colorado Territory | Train Engineer (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1949 | Flamingo Road | Train Conductor (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1948 | The Noose Hangs High | Cop (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1945 | Mildred Pierce | Bumped First Night Diner (uncredited) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1945 | Come Out Fighting | Mr. McGinnis, Sr. (as Fred Kelsy) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1945 | Christmas in Connecticut | Harper (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1944 | Mr. Skeffington | Cop in Raid (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1943 | A Gem of a Jam | Police Chief | Hit | Similar → |
| 1943 | True to Life | Cop (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1943 | Old Acquaintance | Train Conductor / Man at Radio Broadcast (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1943 | Action in the North Atlantic | Joe (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1942 | Gentleman Jim | Sutro (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1942 | In This Our Life | Jailer (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1942 | Larceny, Inc. | Bronson | Hit | Similar → |
| 1942 | Murder in the Big House | "Screw" | Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | The Man Who Came to Dinner | Detective (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | They Died with Their Boots On | Ft. Lincoln Bartender (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | One Foot in Heaven | Train Conductor (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | Charlie Chan at Treasure Island | Detective - in Cab and at Theatre | Hit | Similar → |
| 1938 | Josette | Hotel Detective | Hit | Similar → |
| 1937 | That I May Live | Abner Jenkins | Hit | Similar → |
| 1937 | One Mile from Heaven | Smitty - Policeman | Hit | Similar → |
| 1936 | Private Number | Detective in Ellen's Apartment (Uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1934 | Twentieth Century | Train Detective (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1934 | Rough Necking | Joe Cuttlehammer Sr. | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1933 | The Crime of the Century | Police Guard (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1932 | If I Had a Million | Prison Jailer (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1932 | Huddle | Policeman (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1930 | Scarlet Pages | Murphy | Hit | Similar → |
| 1930 | The Laurel-Hardy Murder Case | Chief of Detectives (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1929 | Wrong Again | - | Hit | Similar → |
| 1928 | The Last Warning | Inspector | Hit | Similar → |
| 1928 | Harold Teen | Mr. Lovewell | Hit | Similar → |
| 1927 | The Thirteenth Hour | Det. Shaw | Hit | Similar → |
| 1927 | Jewish Prudence | Rent Collector | Hit | Similar → |
| 1926 | Dog Shy | Cop | Hit | Similar → |
| 1925 | Little Annie Rooney | Desk Sergeant (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
Fred Kelsey - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Fred Kelsey?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Fred Kelsey is "Rough Necking" with a rating of 10.0/10.
How many movies has Fred Kelsey acted in?
Fred Kelsey has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Fred Kelsey?
Other notable films include "Strangers on a Train", "Mildred Pierce", and "To Catch a Thief".