A Maverick Life: The Jack Kelly Story by Linda J. Alexander    Books by Linda J. Alexander     View all 6 · Reluctant Witness: Robert Taylor, Hollywood, & Communism · Weekends In New England · The Unpromised Land · Dorothy From Kansas Meets the Wizard of X · Until Next Time
Category:	Biography	Publisher:	BearManor Media	ISBN-10:	1593936788	Type:	Non-Fiction
Pages:	378	Copyright:	November 25, 2011	ISBN-13:	9781593936785

Buy your copy! Amazon Amazon Amazon Barnes & Noble A Maverick Life: The Jack Kelly Story Jack Kelly was a child performer, son of New York model, Nan Kelly, brother of actress, Nancy Kelly, brother-in-law of actor Edmond O'Brien and cinematographer Fred Jackman, Jr. On TV, from 1957 until 1962, he was James Garner's brother on the show, Maverick. In real life, Jack Kelly was a child performer, son of New York model, Nan Kelly, brother of actress, Nancy Kelly, brother-in-law of actor Edmond O'Brien and cinematographer Fred Jackman, Jr. On TV, from 1957 until 1962, he was James Garner's brother on the show, Maverick. Truth is, he was on the show longer than James Garner ... and women would often say he was the reason they kept coming back for more. In fact, they still say that, even though the show's been in re-runs for decades, ever since it left the air.   Oh yeah ... he was also a child star in the late 1930s, drove A Crooked Road with Mickey Rooney in 1954, went to Hell and Back with Audie Murphy in 1955, and took a trip to the Forbidden Planet in 1956 with Leslie Nielsen. In the late 1960s, he was on the cutting edge of Sale of The Century as the host, was able to Get Christie Love in 1975, and helped babysit the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew in 1977. Between the late 1950s and early 1970s, he played on virtually every episodic TV show that ever aired.   All of this before he pseudo-retired from the small and large screen and served as a city councilman, and then the two-term mayor, of Huntington Beach, California. He was also a newspaper publisher. He loved some of the most beautiful women in Hollywood, became a husband, and would probably tell everyone that his greatest joy was in being a father.   Jack Kelly really LIVED. Excerpt "Once they met in person, the professional rapport between Jack, and Jim Garner, appeared inexplicably instantaneous and, if nothing else, proved to Jack this show [Maverick] would be a success. Their chemistry was the clincher. 'The first time we ever met,' he explained in an interview, 'we had to make a test together. We weren't even introduced. I asked him why he was standing up so tall, trying to top me, and Jim took it from there.' The natural banter between them started right then, sealing the deal for Jack. The two men played off each other as if they were true brothers."

Paperback

Professional Reviews
FIRST LOOK: "A Maverick Life: The Jack Kelly Story"
With A Maverick Life: The Jack Kelly Story, author Linda Alexander lassoes the reader's interest and doesn't turn it loose until the very last sentence as she explores the colorful life of Jack Kelly, who played charming brother "Bart" to James Garner's wily "Bret" on the popular Maverick television series.

Ms. Alexander introduces us to the actor, born John Augustus Kelly, Jr., whose theatrical family roots stretched all the way back to Ireland. Kelly's mother Nan was an ambitious model who pushed all but one of her four children into show biz careers. His older sister was Nancy Kelly, who began acting as a child and matured into an acclaimed leading lady. Jack Kelly himself performed as a youngster in films, in radio, and on stage. Following a grown-up stint in the military, he moseyed back into films and then into television.

After headlining on Maverick for five years, Kelly drifted into perennial TV guest stardom, pausing along the way to appear in movies and in summer stock. He even emceed a game show. Kelly also made successful forays into business and politics. He served as city councilman and mayor in Huntington Beach, California--while still accepting occasional acting roles--before his tragic death at age 65 in 1992.

A Maverick Life: The Jack Kelly Story is a brisk read, but it doesn't skimp on detail or on insight into Kelly's life. In addition to thoroughly researching her subject, Ms. Alexander obtained invaluable input from Kelly's family members (including both of his wives and his beloved daughter) along with memories from his fellow thespians such as Sir Roger Moore and James Drury, star of The Virginian.

The author unmasks the complicated human being inside the ebullient entertainer and pulls no punches. For example, many fans have wondered why Jack Kelly's success on Maverick didn't translate into enduring major stardom. Ms. Alexander traces part of the answer to Kelly's predilection to alcohol. She also reveals that the actor's formative family ties kept him bound far into adulthood. He was deeply affected by upheavals in his personal and professional lives and by events such as the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Yet, Kelly remained in denial about his own life-threatening health condition until it was too late.

However, A Maverick Life: The Jack Kelly Story is by no means a "downer". The reader also meets the Jack Kelly who was a loving father, a lively practical joker, an accomplished golfer, an expert cook, a talented writer, a dedicated politician, and a man who geniunely loved--and was loved by--some of the most glamorous gals in Hollywood.

And, once and for all, Linda Alexander busts the myth that Jack Kelly was just the "other guy" on Maverick. Ms. Alexander uncovers the behind-the-scenes intrigue and restores Kelly to his proper place in the Maverick equation.

A Maverick Life: The Jack Kelly Story is generously illustrated with rare black and white photos from all phases of Kelly's life and career. Plus, the arresting color portrait on the cover perfectly captures the handsome actor in his most famous role: Bart Maverick.

As Linda Alexander puts it, "Jack Kelly really LIVED". A Maverick Life: The Jack Kelly Story proves that he did, indeed.

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