Richard Ely (born Richard Kent Ely Weber; May 4, 1945 – December 9, 2019), also known as Rick Ely and Richard K. Weber, was an American actor and singer known for his roles in the television series The Young Rebels, and the soap operas Love of Life and One Life to Live. He became a teen idol in the 1970s.
Early life Richard Kent Ely Weber was born on May 4, 1945, in Terre Haute, Indiana, U.S..
Career Ely began his acting career using his birth name, but later registered with the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) under his mother's maiden name, Ely, to avoid confusion with another actor named Ron Ely. He also used the name Richard K. Weber for some of his later soap opera roles.
His breakout role came in 1970 when he starred as the lead character, Jeremy Larkin, in the short-lived ABC series The Young Rebels, appearing in all 15 episodes. During this time, Ely gained popularity as a teen idol and was featured in numerous teen magazines such as Tiger Beat, 16 Magazine, and Flip Teen Magazine. He also released a self-titled album, Rick Ely, which included the songs "Morning Girl" and "The Circle Game".
Following The Young Rebels, Ely made guest appearances on various television shows, including M*A*S*H in 1974 and co-starred in the 1973 film I Escaped from Devil's Island.
In the mid-1970s, Ely moved to New York City for a role on the soap opera Love of Life and later joined the cast of One Life to Live. He returned to California in 1982 and appeared in three films, Somewhere Tomorrow (1983), Space Rage (1985) and David (1988). He subsequently worked in voice-overs and as a paralegal for an entertainment organization.
Personal life Ely married and divorced twice. He married Rayma Kristine Mattson on August 17, 1963, and divorced in 1966. Later he married Jeanette Susan "Jenny" Bell on April 25, 1987, but they divorced in 1990. He had one daughter.
Illness and death He died on December 9, 2019, in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 74, after a long illness.
Filmography Television YearTitleRoleNotes1969 My Friend Tony Fraternity Boy Episode: The Hazing1970 The Young Rebels Jeremy Larkin as Rick Ely The Dating Game Himself Episode: The Young Rebels American Bandstand Himself as Rick Ely1971 The Doris Day Show Clifford Fairburn Jr. Episode: Colonel Fairburn Jr. Marcus Welby, M.D. Terry Kalscheur Episode: Men Who Care1973 Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law Bo Episode: The Second Victim The Streets of San Francisco Terry Stillwell / Carpenter Episode: Shattered Image1974 M*A*S*H Pvt. George Weston Episode: George Gunsmoke Bill Higgins Episode: The Colonel1976 Love of Life Dr. Tom Crawford as Richard K. Weber1981 One Life to Live Steve Piermont 7 episodes1982 Texas Peter Cowan 3 episodes
Film YearTitleRoleNotes1969 The Whole World Is Watching Gil Bennett1973 I Escaped from Devil's Island Joe1974 Forgotten Island of Santosha Narrator as Rick Ely1983 Somewhere Tomorrow Alec Peiski1985 Space Rage Colonel1988 David Surgeon
Discography Rick Ely (1970, RCA Victor)
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