Robert Joseph Gilliam is a private individual who came into the public eye because of his marriage to the late actress Lisa Robin Kelly, best known for her role as Laurie Forman in That ’70s Show. Born around 1951, Gilliam reportedly worked as a drug counselor and lived a quiet life before meeting Kelly in North Carolina. Their relationship quickly turned into marriage in 2012, but was marked by personal struggles, legal troubles, and public attention.
Following Kelly’s tragic death in 2013, Gilliam filed a wrongful death lawsuit and later withdrew from the spotlight entirely. Today, he is remembered mainly for his connection to Kelly and the difficult, emotional chapter they shared rather than for any public career or fame of his own.
Profile Summar
| Personal Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Robert Joseph Gilliam |
| Nickname | Robert Gilliam |
| Date of Birth | Around 1951 (exact date not confirmed) |
| Age (as of 2025) | Approximately 74 years old |
| Birthplace | Not publicly known |
| Nationality | American |
| Gender | Male |
| Profession | Reportedly, a former drug counselor (unverified) |
| Known For | Husband of actress Lisa Robin Kelly (That ’70s Show) |
| Famous Event | Married to Lisa Robin Kelly in 2012 |
| Marital Status | Widowed (estranged at the time of Kelly’s death) |
| Spouse | Lisa Robin Kelly (married 2012 – separated 2013) |
| Children | None publicly known |
| Residence (Last Known) | United States (exact location private) |
| Current Status | Lives privately, away from public attention |
| Height | Not available |
| Weight | Not available |
| Hair Color | Not publicly confirmed |
| Eye Color | Not publicly confirmed |
| Net Worth | Unknown (no verified sources) |
Early Life and Background
Robert Joseph Gilliam was born around 1951, though little else is publicly known about his early life. There are no official records revealing his birthplace, family background, or educational history. What can be gathered from a few reports is that Gilliam was said to have worked as a drug counselor for many years, dedicating his time to helping others overcome addiction and mental health challenges.
This career choice suggests that he was someone who cared deeply about helping people rebuild their lives. However, despite his professional background, Gilliam himself would later become part of a story deeply tied to addiction, love, and loss. His life before meeting Lisa Robin Kelly remains largely a mystery, perhaps because he never sought fame or public recognition.
Looks and Age
Robert Joseph Gilliam was born around 1951, making him about 74 years old as of 2025. During the time he appeared in public in 2012, he was described as a man in his early sixties with a fairly average build for his age. There are no detailed or recent photographs of him available, as he has chosen to live a private life away from the media since 2015. His physical appearance has never been a focus in public reports, and today, he remains largely unseen and unknown to the public eye.
How Robert Gilliam Met Lisa Robin Kelly
Robert Joseph Gilliam met Lisa Robin Kelly in North Carolina during a time when both of their lives were undergoing significant change. Lisa had already gained recognition from her acting career but was facing serious personal and professional struggles because of substance abuse issues. She had stepped away from acting to focus on recovery and finding stability. Gilliam, with his background in drug counseling, seemed to offer the kind of understanding and support she needed.
Their connection grew quickly, rooted in compassion and a shared hope for a new beginning. Many believed that Gilliam’s understanding of addiction could help Kelly rebuild her life, and for a short while, it appeared that things were improving for her. Their relationship seemed to bring both of them comfort and a sense of purpose, especially after the difficult years Lisa had endured.
Married Life and Challenges
In 2012, Robert Joseph Gilliam and Lisa Robin Kelly got married. Their wedding was a private event attended by only close friends and family members. To many who knew them, the marriage symbolized a fresh start for Lisa and a sign that better days might be ahead. However, it soon became clear that the challenges of addiction and emotional instability continued to weigh heavily on their relationship.
The pressures of living under public scrutiny also added to their difficulties. Only a few months after their wedding, reports began to surface that the couple’s relationship was struggling. What started as a partnership built on mutual care turned into a turbulent and painful chapter for both of them.
Who Is 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 TV sitcom That ’70s Show. She was born on March 5, 1970, in Southington, Connecticut, and began acting in the early 1990s, appearing in shows like Married… with Children and Days of Our Lives before landing her breakout role in That ’70s Show.
Her career showed great promise, but personal struggles with addiction affected her work and led to her leaving the show. Despite several attempts to recover and rebuild her life, Lisa’s battle with substance abuse continued, and she sadly passed away on August 15, 2013, at the age of 43 while in a rehab facility in California.
The Domestic Incident
In November 2012, only a few months after their wedding, police were called to Robert Gilliam and Lisa Robin Kelly’s home in Mooresville, North Carolina, after a domestic disturbance was reported. Both were arrested and charged with assault following an argument that turned physical. Gilliam was 61 at the time, and Kelly was 42. They were later released on bond, but the incident drew national media attention and revealed the growing problems in their marriage. The situation showed how much pressure and emotional struggle the couple was facing, especially as Kelly continued to battle addiction and the stress of public attention.
Ending Their Marriage
By mid-2013, Robert Gilliam and Lisa Robin Kelly’s marriage had completely fallen apart. On June 28, 2013, Kelly filed for divorce in Los Angeles County, officially seeking to end their relationship. Around the same time, she also obtained a restraining order against Gilliam, showing that their problems had become serious. The couple had already been living apart, and their marriage was over in all but name. Sadly, Kelly passed away only a few months later, before the divorce could be finalized, bringing a tragic end to their troubled relationship.
Robert Gilliam’s Children
There is no public information or official record showing that Robert Joseph Gilliam has any children. During his short marriage to Lisa Robin Kelly, the couple did not have any kids together, and there are no reports of Gilliam having children from any previous relationships. Since he has always kept his personal life private and stayed away from the public after 2015, it is believed that he does not have any known children.
Lisa Robin Kelly’s Tragic Death
On August 15, 2013, Lisa Robin Kelly sadly passed away while staying at Pax House Rehab Center in Altadena, California. She was there to receive treatment for her long battle with addiction. The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office later confirmed that her death was caused by multiple drug intoxication and ruled it an accident. She was only 43 years old. Her sudden passing shocked fans and the entertainment world, as many hoped she was finally on the path to recovery. At the time of her death, she and Robert Gilliam were separated, and her loss marked a heartbreaking end to a life filled with both talent and struggle.
The Legal Case After Lisa’s Death
In June 2014, nearly a year after Lisa Robin Kelly’s death, Robert Joseph Gilliam filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Pax House Rehab Center, the facility where she had been receiving treatment. He claimed that the center failed to provide proper care and did not monitor her health closely enough, which he believed led to her death. The lawsuit was covered by several major media outlets and brought attention to the need for better safety and accountability in rehab centers. After more than a year in court, the case was settled in 2015, though the details of the settlement were never made public.
Life After Lisa Robin Kelly
Following the lawsuit’s settlement, Robert Joseph Gilliam largely disappeared from the public eye. Since 2015, there have been no verified updates about his personal or professional life. He appears to have chosen to live privately, away from media attention and public curiosity. As of 2025, Gilliam is believed to be around 74 years old. Given the emotional challenges and loss he experienced, it is understandable that he would choose a quiet life removed from the spotlight.
His decision to remain private likely reflects a desire to move past the events that brought him unwanted attention. There are no reports of him engaging in interviews, public appearances, or further legal issues. It seems he has withdrawn completely from public life to find peace and privacy.
Media Coverage and Public Perception
During the time Robert Gilliam and Lisa Robin Kelly were together, the media often focused on the negative parts of their relationship. News stories highlighted their arrests, fights, and the tragic end of Kelly’s life, but very few reports showed the personal struggles they were both facing behind the scenes. Because of this, the public mostly saw Gilliam through the lens of controversy rather than as a private person dealing with emotional pain. The constant media attention added more stress to their already troubled relationship and shaped a one-sided image of him that didn’t show the full story of what was happening in their lives.
Legacy and Lessons
The story of Robert Gilliam and Lisa Robin Kelly is a reminder of how difficult life can become when personal struggles, addiction, and public attention mix together. Their relationship showed how love, even when sincere, can be overwhelmed by pain and unresolved issues. It also highlights the importance of understanding and supporting those who are battling addiction instead of judging them. While their time together ended tragically, their story teaches compassion, awareness, and the need for proper care and mental health support. It reminds us that behind every headline is a real person facing challenges that others may not see.
Current Status
Today, there is little to no information about what Robert Joseph Gilliam is doing or where he lives. He has not appeared in any media reports since the settlement of the wrongful death case in 2015. He is believed to be living a private life away from public attention. At about 74 years old, it seems he prefers to remain out of the spotlight and focus on personal peace. His story is rarely discussed except in connection with Lisa Robin Kelly’s life and the tragedy that surrounded it. While his time in the public eye was brief, the impact of those events continues to echo in discussions about addiction, mental health, and the toll of fame.
Robert Joseph Gilliam’s Net Worth
Robert Joseph Gilliam’s net worth is unknown, and there are no reliable reports that provide any financial details. Since he was never a celebrity or a public figure, his earnings and financial assets were not tracked or made public. Some websites have made assumptions about his income, but these figures are not supported by any official documents or trusted sources. The only known financial event involving him was the wrongful death lawsuit settlement in 2015, but the amount was never revealed.
Conclusion
Robert Joseph Gilliam’s life is a story of privacy, tragedy, and reflection. Though he never sought fame, he became part of a public narrative because of his connection to Lisa Robin Kelly. His relationship with her revealed the painful reality of addiction and the emotional strain it brings to relationships. Despite the turmoil and loss, Gilliam’s later decision to step away from public life shows a man seeking peace after years of heartbreak and media attention. Today, his name lives quietly in the background of one of Hollywood’s saddest stories, reminding us that behind every headline is a real person with emotions, mistakes, and a desire for healing.
FAQs About Robert Joseph Gilliam
1. Who is Robert Joseph Gilliam?
Robert Joseph Gilliam is best known as the husband of the late actress Lisa Robin Kelly, who played Laurie Forman on That ’70s Show. He became known to the public during their short and troubled marriage in 2012.
2. When did Robert Joseph Gilliam marry Lisa Robin Kelly?
Robert Gilliam and Lisa Robin Kelly got married in 2012 in a small private ceremony. Their marriage lasted less than a year and faced several personal and legal challenges.
3. Did Robert Joseph Gilliam and Lisa Robin Kelly have any children?
No, there are no records or reports showing that Robert Joseph Gilliam and Lisa Robin Kelly had any children together.
4. What happened after Lisa Robin Kelly’s death?
After Lisa Robin Kelly’s death in August 2013, Robert Gilliam filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the rehab center where she died, claiming negligence. The case was settled in 2015.
5. Where is Robert Joseph Gilliam now?
Since the settlement of the lawsuit, Robert Joseph Gilliam has stayed out of the public eye. As of 2025, he is believed to be living a private and quiet life away from media attention.
