The Tragic Death Of Emergency! Actor Tim Donnelly
Comedic actor Tim Donnelly, who was best-known for his portrayal of Chet Kelly in the firehouse sitcom "Emergency!", died on September 17 at 77 years old. According to his brother Dennis Donnelly, the actor died at home after suffering complications from a recent surgery, per The Hollywood Reporter. Tim was most often associated with his work on "Emergency!" where he appeared in all six seasons, but he had credits on multiple hit shows. He made his debut as a child performer on the film "Baby Face Nelson" in 1957, and started getting steady television work in the '60s, per IMDb. Tim had parts on "Hawaii Five-0" and "Dragnet" before landing the role of Fireman Chet Kelly in 1972.
Tim's work on "Emergency!" had an impact on the firefighter community. His death was announced by the Los Angeles County Fire Museum Facebook page. "It is with deep sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our friend, Tim Donnelly, this weekend," they wrote. "Many of the Museum Board Members have great memories of Tim from our time on Project 51 and personal contact." Several members on the community page mentioned how Tim influenced their careers. "I'm sure that 'Emergency!' was what steered me to a lifetime in healthcare. First as an EMT/Paramedic," one Facebook user commented.
Keep reading to find out about Tim Donnelly's family connection on "Emergency!"
Tim Donnelly worked with his brother
Tim Donnelly came from a family that worked in Hollywood. His father, Paul Donnelly, was an executive at Universal Pictures, and his grandfather on his mother's side was actor Pat O'Malley, per The Hollywood Reporter. Both Tim and his brother Dennis Donnelly pursued careers in the entertainment industry. The "Emergency!" actor was even directed by his brother on 18 episodes of the NBC comedy, per IMDb. Tim also teamed up with his brother for another memorable role, as Dennis directed the cult horror film "The Toolbox Murders."
While working on "Emergency!", Tim formed a bond with a canine co-worker. Henry the dog was brought on the show, but initially the pooch was trouble on the set and was going to be fired until he started shooting with Tim's Chet Kelly, per Emergency Fans.
When news of Tim's death broke, fans of the actor shared condolences on Twitter. "RIP Tim Donnelly ... Great actor who showed what being a fireman is all about," one fan wrote. "I always loved his character of Chet on Emergency! The sparring between Chet and Randolph Mantooth's Johnny Gage holds up to this day," another tweeted. Several fans also mentioned Tim's work on "The Toolbox Murders." Decades later, it was clear the actor clearly left an impact.