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.
Fred Kelsey Movies & Career Overview
The filmography of Fred Kelsey reflects exceptional commercial consistency. Across 50 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.
Dominant Genre
A large portion of Fred Kelsey's work falls within the Comedy genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.
Success Ratio
Approximately 100% of Fred Kelsey's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.
One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains She Got What She Wanted, which stands out as a key performance.
Best Fred Kelsey Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Fred Kelsey's career based on audience ratings.
Full Filmography
Every movie Fred Kelsey has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 | Outlaw's Son | - | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1954 | So You Want to Know Your Relatives | Mr. Watson (uncredited) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1954 | Racing Blood | Smithy | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1953 | So You Want to Be a Musician | Restaurant diner | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1950 | So You Want to Hold Your Husband | Lamb - Curry's Partner | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1949 | So You Want to Be an Actor | Counter Man | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1946 | Andy Plays Hookey | Policeman | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1946 | The People's Choice | - | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1944 | Roaring Guns | - | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1943 | Here Comes Mr. Zerk | Policeman | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1942 | Dear! Deer! | Policeman | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1942 | The Daughter of Rosie O'Grady | Policeman (uncredited) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | Too Busy to Work | Hank Fidler | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | Chicken Wagon Family | Policeman | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | Clock Wise | Landlord | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1938 | Down on the Farm | Bit Role | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1937 | Love and Hisses | Officer | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1937 | Wild and Woolly | Policeman (uncredited) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1935 | Hot Money | Police Officer Kelsey (as Fred A. Kelsey) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1934 | I'll Be Suing You | Insurance Adjustor | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1934 | Rough Necking | Joe Cuttlehammer Sr. | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1934 | Beloved | Mulvaney | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1932 | Boys Will Be Boys | Doorman | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1932 | The Trial of Vivienne Ware | Cop (uncredited) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1931 | Young Donovan's Kid | Collins | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1931 | Subway Express | Detective Kearney | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1931 | Scandal Sheet | Detective Sgt. Vincent Molloy | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1930 | She Got What She Wanted | - | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1929 | Smiling Irish Eyes | County Fair Manager | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1928 | Plastered in Paris | - | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1928 | The Wright Idea | M. T. Flatt | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1928 | A Midnight Adventure | Cassidy | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1928 | Ladies' Night in a Turkish Bath | Detective | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1928 | Tenderloin | Detective Simpson | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1927 | The Gorilla | Mulligan | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1927 | The 13th Juror | The Detective | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1927 | Held by the Law | Detective | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1926 | Atta Boy | Detective | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1926 | That's My Baby | Murphy | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1925 | Smooth as Satin | Kersey | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1925 | Friendly Enemies | - | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1925 | Youth and Adventure | Red Mullin | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1924 | Traffic in Hearts | Tim Tracy | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1924 | The Yankee Consul | Agent John J. Doyle | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1923 | Lovebound | Detective Hahn | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1921 | There Are No Villains | Dugall | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1921 | The Match-Breaker | Detective | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1921 | The Off-Shore Pirate | Sailor | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1919 | The Silk Lined Burglar | Capt. von Hoffmeier | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1919 | The Light of Victory | Captain Eric von Prohme | Super 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 "She Got What She Wanted" 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 "Subway Express", "Roaring Guns", and "The Wright Idea".