kelly was born on july 11, 1929 in dublin, ireland. he went to the abbey school of acting. kelly was married to laurie morton from 1961 until his death in 2012. they had two children; david kelly, jr. and miriam kelly. kelly died on february 12, 2012, his cause of death was pneumonia complicated by lung cancer in dublin, ireland. he was 82 years old. kelly was buried at the mount jerome cemetery &amp; crematorium.