Brian Keith (November 14, 1921 – June 24, 1997) was an American film, television, and stage actor who in his six decade-long career gained recognition for his work in movies such as the 1961 Disney family film The Parent Trap, the 1966 comedy The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming, and the 1975 adventure saga The Wind and the Lion, in which he portrayed President Theodore Roosevelt.

On television, two of his best-known roles were that of bachelor-uncle-turned-reluctant-parent Bill Davis in the 1960s sitcom Family Affair, and a tough judge in the 1980s drama Hardcastle and McCormick. He also starred in the The Brian Keith Show, which aired on NBC from 1972 to 1974, where he portrayed a pediatrician who operated a free clinic on Oahu, as well as in the CBS comedy series Heartland.

Biography

Keith married three times, first to Frances Helm; then, in 1954, to actress Judy Landon (who made a guest appearance on Family Affair); and finally, in 1970, to Hawaiian actress Victoria Young (née Leialoha), who later appeared on The Brian Keith Show as Nurse Puni.

Keith fathered two children with Judy Landon (Michael and Mimi) and together they adopted three others (Barbra, Betty, and Rory). He had two children with Victoria Young (David and Daisy). Daisy became an actress and appeared with her father in the short-lived series Heartland in 1989.

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