Robert Joseph Gilliam is an American man best known for his marriage to actress Lisa Robin Kelly, who played Laurie Forman in That ’70s Show. He was reportedly a retired drug counselor before becoming known to the public.
Gilliam and Kelly married in October 2012. Their marriage faced legal problems, and Kelly filed for divorce in 2013. She died that August while receiving treatment at a rehabilitation facility. Gilliam later filed a wrongful-death lawsuit concerning her death.
Robert Joseph Gilliam’s Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Robert Joseph Gilliam |
| Also known as | Robert Gilliam |
| Nationality | American |
| Reported age | 61 years old in November 2012 |
| Estimated birth year | Around 1950–1951 |
| Profession | Retired drug counselor |
| Known for | Marriage to Lisa Robin Kelly |
| Wife | Lisa Robin Kelly |
| Marriage date | October 2012 |
| Separation | Before August 2013 |
| Divorce | Filed in 2013 but not finalized |
| Reported residence | Mooresville, North Carolina, in 2012 |
| Wife’s death | August 2013 |
| Legal action | Wrongful-death lawsuit against Pax House |
| Net worth | Not publicly confirmed |
Robert Joseph Gilliam’s Early Life and Age
Robert Joseph Gilliam reportedly was 61 years old in November 2012. Based on that information, he was likely born around 1950 or 1951.
His exact birthday and birthplace have not been publicly confirmed.
Little information is available about his childhood, parents, siblings, or family background. Unlike his wife, Gilliam did not have a public career in entertainment.
Robert Joseph Gilliam’s Education
Gilliam’s educational background is not publicly documented.
There is no confirmed information about the schools or colleges he attended or the professional qualifications he obtained.
Robert Joseph Gilliam’s Career
Robert Joseph Gilliam reportedly worked as a drug counselor before retiring.
In 2013, Inside Edition identified him as a retired drug counselor when he discussed his marriage to Lisa Robin Kelly and her problems with substance use.
However, information about his former employers, professional training, and years of employment is unavailable.
He has no publicly documented acting or television career.
Robert Joseph Gilliam and Lisa Robin Kelly’s Marriage
Robert Joseph Gilliam married Lisa Robin Kelly in October 2012.
At the time, Kelly was already known for her television career and had publicly discussed her problems with alcohol.
The couple reportedly lived in Mooresville, North Carolina, during their marriage.
Gilliam later discussed their relationship in an interview with Inside Edition. He said they had been in love but that alcohol and drugs caused serious problems between them.
Their marriage lasted less than a year before they separated.
Who Was Lisa Robin Kelly?
Lisa Robin Kelly was an American actress best known for playing Laurie Forman in the Fox television comedy That ’70s Show.
Laurie was the older sister of Eric Forman, played by Topher Grace. The series also featured Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, Laura Prepon, and other actors.
Kelly began her acting career during the 1990s. She appeared in television programs including Married… with Children, Murphy Brown, and The X-Files.
She became widely recognized for her role in That ’70s Show. However, she later left the series, returned briefly, and was eventually replaced by actress Christina Moore.
Kelly publicly discussed her struggles with alcohol. In a 2012 interview, she said losing a pregnancy had affected her deeply and contributed to her drinking problems.
She died in August 2013 at the age of 43.
Robert Joseph Gilliam and Lisa Robin Kelly’s 2012 Arrest
In November 2012, police responded to a domestic disturbance at the couple’s home in Mooresville, North Carolina.
Both Gilliam and Kelly were arrested following the incident.
According to published reports, Gilliam was charged with misdemeanor assault on a female, while Kelly faced a misdemeanor assault charge.
Both were reportedly taken to the Iredell County Detention Center and later released on $500 bonds.
A court date was scheduled for January 25, 2013.
The available reports do not establish the final outcome of every charge arising from this particular incident.
The 2013 Domestic Battery Case
Gilliam faced further legal problems in 2013.
According to published reports, Kelly accused him of attacking her during an argument about money. She alleged that he pulled her hair, threw her down, choked her, and threatened her.
The Roman Magazine reports that Gilliam was later convicted of domestic battery.
According to that publication, he received three years of probation and credit for 69 days already served. He was also ordered to complete a 52-week domestic violence program and stay away from Kelly.
The original court judgment was not included in the available sources, so the reported sentencing details have not been independently verified.
Why Did Lisa Robin Kelly File for Divorce?
Kelly filed for divorce in 2013, reportedly citing irreconcilable differences.
Some publications identify June as the filing month, while others reported the divorce proceedings in July.
She also reportedly obtained a restraining order against Gilliam following their domestic problems.
The couple had separated before Kelly’s death.
Although some publications describe Gilliam as Kelly’s former husband, their divorce reportedly remained unfinished when she died.
Lisa Robin Kelly’s Final Months and Death
In June 2013, Kelly was arrested in California on suspicion of driving under the influence.
She later entered an addiction treatment facility in Altadena, California.
Her agent, Craig Wyckoff, said she had been hopeful about receiving treatment and recovering.
Kelly died at the facility in August 2013. Reports give August 14 and August 15 as her death date.
The Los Angeles County Coroner later determined that her death resulted from multiple drug intoxication and classified it as accidental.
She was 43 years old.
What Did Robert Joseph Gilliam Say After Kelly’s Death?
Following Kelly’s death, Gilliam appeared in an interview with Inside Edition.
He discussed their marriage and claimed that Kelly had been sober when they married.
Gilliam also said Kelly had contacted him several times during the two weeks before her death. According to his account, she wanted help leaving her boyfriend and finding another treatment facility.
He claimed that he had offered to arrange treatment closer to North Carolina.
Gilliam also blamed Kelly’s boyfriend for her reported relapse. The boyfriend rejected that accusation.
These statements were disputed personal accounts. The available evidence does not establish that either man caused Kelly’s death.
Robert Joseph Gilliam’s Wrongful-Death Lawsuit
In June 2014, Gilliam and Kelly’s estate reportedly filed a wrongful-death lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court.
The lawsuit named Pax House, the rehabilitation facility where Kelly died, and its owners, James Burnett and Marcia Burnett.
The complaint alleged that the facility failed to provide proper care and supervision.
It also raised concerns about staff training and claimed that Kelly had been left alone for an unreasonable period before staff discovered her death.
Gilliam sought damages related to his wife’s death, including the loss of companionship and support.
These were allegations made in a civil lawsuit, not established findings of negligence.
What Happened to the Wrongful-Death Lawsuit?
The wrongful-death lawsuit ended in a settlement.
The Roman Magazine reports that an agreement was reached in September 2015. However, AmoMama gives 2017 as the settlement year.
The exact date has not been established from the supplied sources.
The settlement amount and other financial terms were not publicly disclosed.
There is no reliable information establishing that the defendants admitted wrongdoing as part of the agreement.
Did Robert Joseph Gilliam Have Children?
There is no publicly confirmed information about Robert Joseph Gilliam having children.
The available sources also do not establish whether he had any children from relationships before his marriage to Lisa Robin Kelly.
Robert Joseph Gilliam’s Net Worth
Robert Joseph Gilliam’s personal net worth is not reliably known.
Although he reportedly worked as a drug counselor, there is no verified public information about his salary, savings, investments, or property.
The financial terms of his wrongful-death lawsuit settlement were private.
Where Is Robert Joseph Gilliam Now?
There is limited public information about Gilliam’s life following the wrongful-death lawsuit.
His last reported residence was Mooresville, North Carolina, during his marriage to Kelly in 2012.
However, his current residence, employment, relationship status, and personal activities have not been publicly confirmed.
Robert Joseph Gilliam’s Public Appearances
Gilliam received media attention during his marriage to Kelly and following her death.
His most notable reported public appearance was a 2013 interview with Inside Edition.
During the interview, he discussed their marriage, Kelly’s addiction problems, and her final days.
There are few documented public appearances or interviews involving Gilliam following the wrongful-death lawsuit.
Facts About Robert Joseph Gilliam
- He is best known for his marriage to actress Lisa Robin Kelly.
- He was reportedly a retired drug counselor.
- He was reported to be 61 years old in November 2012.
- His exact birthday and birthplace have not been publicly confirmed.
- He married Kelly in October 2012.
- The couple reportedly lived in Mooresville, North Carolina.
- Both spouses were arrested following a domestic dispute in November 2012.
- Kelly filed for divorce in 2013, but the divorce was reportedly unfinished when she died.
- Published reports state that Gilliam was convicted of domestic battery in 2013.
- Kelly died in August 2013 at the age of 43.
- Her death was officially classified as accidental multiple drug intoxication.
- Gilliam and Kelly’s estate reportedly filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against Pax House in June 2014.
- The lawsuit ended in a settlement with undisclosed financial terms.
- His current activities and personal net worth are not publicly confirmed.
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