Trivia

At the time of his death, Keith was suffering from emphysema and terminal lung cancer. He had been a heavy smoker until 1986, quitting a decade before his diagnoses. He was also mourning the death of his 27-year-old daughter, Daisy Keith, who had committed suicide 10 weeks earlier. He also had financial problems. All of these were contributing factors to Keith's own suicide on June 24, 1997. His last work appeared after his death: voice-over work in the final episode of Spider-Man: The Animated Series (1994), and an on-screen appearance in Follow Your Heart (1999). He is interred in Westwood Village Memorial Park, Los Angeles, California.

Keith was predeceased by two of his children: his first son, Michael, who died in childhood in 1963, and his daughter, Daisy Keith, who committed suicide at age 27.

He served in the United States Marine Corps in World War II, and received an Air Medal. He was the rear-facing gunner on an SBD Dauntless, a scout/dive bomber, used extensively by the Marine Corps and Navy, that saw a great deal of action in the Pacific during WWII. His weapons were twin-mounted .30 caliber Browning machine guns. He particularly saw action on Rabal in the Pacific.

When future Family Affair (1966) co-star Johnny Whitaker appeared in the movie The Russians Are Coming the Russians Are Coming (1966), Keith was so impressed by Johnny's acting that he invited him to co-star in Keith's new sitcom.

His final film Rough Riders (1997) was dedicated to his memory.

Made a comeback with a successful TV series when he was age 62.

Met actor Michael Landon on an episode of Crusader (1955). The two became good friends from 1956 until Landon's death on July 1, 1991.

Owned a 200-acre ranch in Redlands, California and a 41-foot yacht 'Maialoha' off Waikiki.

Keith's third wife and widow, artist Victoria Young, was almost 23 years his junior. A native of Hawaii, she guest-starred with him on two episodes of Hardcastle and McCormick (1983). On The Little People (1972), she played a nurse. She and Keith had two children, Bobby (an artist) and Daisy Keith (who committed suicide, predeceasing both her parents).

Remained good friends with Johnny Whitaker and Kathy Garver, during and after Family Affair (1966).

In 1945, seeking a commission as an officer in the Merchant Marine after four years' service in the Marine Corps, Keith was rejected due to his poor scores in algebra.

Changed his first name from Robert to Brian Keith, before becoming an actor.

He was cast as the Russian astrophysicist Dr. Dubov in Meteor (1979) and Soviet Premier Gorny in World War III (1982) because he spoke fluent Russian.

Guest starred on the first episode of Murder, She Wrote (1984).

Although Keith had been acting since age three, he didn't appear in his first film until age 31. Before making his mark on screen, he acted in stock theater productions and on radio.

Met a young actor James Drury while making the film Ten Who Dared (1960); they became and remained friends until Keith's suicide on June 24, 1997.

Commuted from Los Angeles to Hawaii to film The Little People (1972), every week for two seasons.

Before he found success as an actor, Keith worked in carnivals.

Keith was the stepson of two actresses, first, Peg Entwistle, who committed suicide, jumping from the "H" of the famous Hollywood Sign in 1932. His second stepmother, Dorothy Tierney, remained wed to his father until the latter's death.

Actors Kathy Garver and Johnny Whitaker were said to be huge fans of his when they were both growing up. They both co-starred alongside him on Family Affair (1966), and stayed with the show until its cancellation in 1971.

Was very disappointed when Family Affair (1966), was canceled at the end of its fifth season during CBS' shift to more adult-oriented sitcom fare.

Was close friends with Charlton Heston.

Was raised in Long Island, New York, by his grandmother.

Keith's hobbies included: golfing, swimming, spending time with family, cooking, sailing, horseback riding, reading and painting.

Had boasted of telling CBS executives 'to go fly a kite' when they suggested toning down the content of his series The Westerner (1960) to make this more appealing to children.

Had four biological children (Michael, Mimi, Robert and Daisy) and three adopted children (Barbara, Betty and Rory). His first son, Michael, died in childhood in 1963. His 27-year old daughter, Daisy Keith, committed suicide 10 weeks before her father followed suit while battling terminal cancer. His son, Robert, was named for his father and grandfather.

His future Family Affair (1966) co-star Kathy Garver had guest-starred with him twice: on an episode of his short-lived series Crusader (1955), and, just before his death, on Spider-Man: The Animated Series (1994).

He was always producer Don Fedderson's first choice to play Uncle Bill Davis in Family Affair (1966).

Spent seven years on the New York stage in summer stock and live television before moving to California to find work in films.

He was posthumously awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Television at 7021 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on June 26, 2008.

His ambition to follow his father into acting was delayed by World War II.

Was a commercial spokesperson for Camel Cigarettes in the 1950s.

Despite suffering an eye injury on the set of Hardcastle and McCormick (1983), he enjoyed his role on the series.

Was also good friends with John Mills' entire family.

Resided in Malibu, California, for over a quarter of a century, until his death on June 24, 1997.

Began his career as a contract player for Paramount Pictures in 1953.

Attended and graduated from East Rockaway High School in East Rockaway, New York (1939).

He never retired from acting until his death.

His second wife Judy Landon was an actress and dancer. They were married for 15 years until their divorce on May 2, 1969.

Father of Michael, Mimi, Robert and Daisy, and adoptive father of Barbara, Betty and Rory. His first son, Michael, died in childhood in 1963. His daughter Daisy Keith co-starred with him on Heartland (1989). His son, Robert, was named after his father (who was born with the forename Robert) and his paternal grandfather.

Played the role of a real president of the United States in both of John Milius's films featuring Theodore Roosevelt. In The Wind and the Lion (1975), he co-starred as Roosevelt, himself. In Rough Riders (1997), Keith had a bit part as Theodore Roosevelt's predecessor, William McKinley (during the period when Roosevelt served as President McKinley's Assistant Secretary of the Navy).

Actor Daniel Hugh Kelly was said to have been a huge fan of Keith, while growing up. His favorite movies in which Keith starred were The Rare Breed (1966) and Nevada Smith (1966). The two men remained friends during and after Hardcastle and McCormick (1983). Years later, he would land a co-starring role opposite Keith in Hardcastle and McCormick (1983), and stayed on the show until its cancellation in 1986.

Was offered the role of Deke Thornton in The Wild Bunch (1969), which he turned down, because he was under contract working on Family Affair (1966).

Best remembered by the public for his starring role as Uncle Bill Davis on Family Affair (1966).

Beat out three other actors for the role of the title character in Hardcastle and McCormick (1983).

Attended Michael Landon's funeral in 1991.

Appeared on the front cover of TV Guide three times.

His father Robert Keith was from Indiana.

Was raised in the same area as Telly Savalas.

Keith was the younger of two children, both sons, born to actors Robert Keith (died December 22, 1966) and Helena Shipman (died October 26, 1983), who married in 1919 and divorced in 1925.