Tough, wisecracking comic of stage and screen, who brightened up many a film in the 1930s. The Brooklyn-born, Manhattan-bred Kelly was discovered by vaudeville star Frank Fay and by 1927 was on Broadway, in "Harry Delmar's Revels". Among her other Broadway shows were "Three Cheers" and Earl Carroll's "Sketch Book" (1929), Carroll's "Vanities" (1930), and "Wonder Bar" (1931). Hollywood came calling that same year, and Hal Roach signed her to do a series of delightful two-reel comedies co-starring Thelma Todd. The series ended after 21 films when Todd died in 1935.Kelly broke into features in
