Robert Joseph Gilliam is not a famous name on his own. He became known to the public because of his marriage to actress Lisa Robin Kelly. She was best known for her role on the popular television show That ’70s Show. Their relationship was short and full of problems. They married in 2012, but their time together was marked by arguments, arrests, and legal trouble. Just a few months after their wedding, Kelly filed for divorce. Unfortunately, she passed away later that same year. Her death brought even more attention to Gilliam. He then took legal action against the rehab center where she died. This article looks at who Robert Joseph Gilliam is, his life before and after Kelly, and the events that made him part of a sad Hollywood story.
Robert Joseph Gilliam – Personal Details
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Robert Joseph Gilliam |
| Known For | Being the former husband of actress Lisa Robin Kelly |
| Profession | Drug counselor |
| Spouse | Lisa Robin Kelly |
| Marriage | Married Lisa Robin Kelly |
| Known Connection | That ’70s Show actress Lisa Robin Kelly |
| Public Presence | Mostly private |
| Nationality | American |
| Current Status | Keeps his personal life away from the public eye |
Robert Joseph Gilliam Background
Robert Joseph Gilliam was born around 1951, making him 61 years old during his marriage to Lisa Robin Kelly. He worked as a drug counselor, a profession that would later become painfully ironic given the circumstances surrounding his wife’s death . The couple lived together in Mooresville, North Carolina, where their relationship would play out in the public eye through a series of arrests and legal proceedings .
Who Was Lisa Robin Kelly?
Lisa Robin Kelly was an American actress best known for playing Laurie Forman, the older sister of Eric Forman, on the popular sitcom That ’70s Show. Born on March 5, 1970, in Indianapolis, Indiana, she began acting at a young age and later built a career through television and film roles. Before becoming widely recognized on That ’70s Show, Kelly appeared in shows such as Married… with Children, Charmed, Murphy Brown, and The X-Files. Her acting career brought her considerable attention, but her personal life later became difficult because of struggles with alcohol and legal problems. Kelly died on August 15, 2013, at the age of 43, after entering a rehabilitation facility in California. Her death marked the end of a career remembered especially for her role as Laurie Forman.
Marriage to Lisa Robin Kelly
Gilliam married Lisa Robin Kelly in October 2012, a union that would last less than a year. While Gilliam later claimed that the couple was “very much in love” and that Kelly was sober when they married, their relationship quickly deteriorated. The actress had a history of substance abuse issues, which Gilliam claimed was the primary source of conflict in their marriage .
Their relationship made headlines within weeks of their wedding when both were arrested in November 2012. Police in Mooresville, North Carolina, responded to a disturbance at their home and charged both Gilliam and Kelly with assault. They were released on bond, but the incident marked the beginning of a pattern of legal troubles .
Legal Troubles and Domestic Violence
The marriage between Gilliam and Kelly was marked by escalating conflict. In May 2013, Gilliam was arrested and charged with domestic battery following an argument with his wife. According to reports, Gilliam had asked Kelly to empty her bank account and give him the money. When she refused, he physically attacked her, leading to police involvement.
Kelly subsequently filed for divorce in June 2013, citing “irreconcilable differences.” She also obtained a restraining order against Gilliam. In the divorce filing, Kelly alleged that Gilliam had physically assaulted her, leading to his domestic battery conviction. He was sentenced to 69 days in jail, three years of probation, and ordered to complete a 52-week domestic violence program. The court also ordered him to stay 100 yards away from his wife.
Lisa Robin Kelly’s Death
On August 15, 2013, Lisa Robin Kelly died at the age of 43 in a drug rehabilitation center in Altadena, California. The official cause of death was ruled as accidental multiple drug intoxication . She had voluntarily checked into the facility just days before her death, seeking treatment for her long-standing substance abuse issues .
At the time of her death, Kelly was in the process of divorcing Gilliam, and the divorce was not finalized. Her spokesperson confirmed that she had been “fighting demons for a while and finally lost her battle” . Gilliam spoke to the media a week after Kelly’s death, expressing that he believed her lifestyle had “caught up with her” and that he wanted people to remember the “true Lisa” .
The Wrongful Death Lawsuit
In June 2014, Robert Joseph Gilliam filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Pax House, the rehabilitation facility where Kelly had been staying. The lawsuit claimed that the facility and its operators “carelessly and negligently owned, managed and operated” the facility and were negligent in training and supervising staff assigned to care for patients.
Gilliam alleged that Kelly was neglected for an unreasonable amount of time at the facility. According to court documents, Pax House workers last saw her alive during the night of August 14, 2013. It was not until several hours later that she was found dead in her room. The lawsuit claimed that the facility’s negligence was the proximate cause of Kelly’s death.
Gilliam sought unspecified damages for the loss of love, affection, society, comfort, support, right of support, expectations of future support and counseling, companionship, solace and mental support. The lawsuit also claimed he had incurred property, medical, funeral, and burial expenses.
Life After Lisa Robin Kelly
Following Kelly’s death and the legal proceedings, Robert Joseph Gilliam has maintained a low profile. The wrongful death lawsuit was eventually settled, though the terms of the settlement have not been publicly disclosed . Gilliam has largely stayed out of the public eye since, with little information available about his current life or activities.
Conclusion
Robert Joseph Gilliam’s story is inextricably linked to the tragic life and death of Lisa Robin Kelly. Their brief marriage was marked by conflict, arrests, and legal troubles, culminating in Kelly’s untimely death from substance abuse. While Gilliam attempted to hold the rehabilitation facility accountable for his wife’s death through a wrongful death lawsuit, questions remain about the circumstances surrounding their troubled relationship. Today, Gilliam’s legacy remains tied to his connection to the late That ’70s Show actress, serving as a reminder of the personal struggles that often accompany fame and addiction.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Robert Joseph Gilliam
Who was Robert Joseph Gilliam?
Robert Joseph Gilliam was the estranged husband of actress Lisa Robin Kelly, best known for her role as Laurie Forman on That ’70s Show.
When did Robert Joseph Gilliam and Lisa Robin Kelly marry?
They married in October 2012, but their marriage lasted less than a year.
What was Robert Joseph Gilliam’s profession?
Gilliam worked as a retired drug counselor, though his professional background became tragically ironic given his wife’s struggles with substance abuse .
Was Robert Joseph Gilliam convicted of a crime?
Yes, he was convicted of domestic battery against Lisa Robin Kelly and was sentenced to 69 days in jail and three years of probation .
What happened to Lisa Robin Kelly?
Lisa Robin Kelly died on August 15, 2013, from accidental multiple drug intoxication at a rehabilitation facility in Altadena, California. She was 43 years old .
Did Robert Joseph Gilliam file a lawsuit after her death?
Yes, Gilliam filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Pax House, the rehabilitation facility where Kelly died, claiming negligence on the part of the facility and its staff .
