Robert Joseph Gilliam is best known as the husband of late actress Lisa Robin Kelly, who played Laurie Forman on That ’70s Show. Gilliam reportedly worked as a drug counselor before retiring. He and Kelly married in October 2012, but their relationship became troubled within weeks. Kelly filed for divorce in 2013 and died before the divorce was completed. Gilliam later filed a wrongful-death lawsuit connected to her death.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Robert Joseph Gilliam |
| Known for | Lisa Robin Kelly’s husband |
| Nationality | American |
| Birth year | Around 1950–1951, based on reports |
| Exact birthday | Not publicly confirmed |
| Reported age in 2012 | 61 |
| Profession | Retired drug counselor |
| Wife | Lisa Robin Kelly |
| Marriage | October 2012 |
| Divorce | Filed in 2013, not completed |
| Children with Lisa | None publicly known |
| Lawsuit | Wrongful-death lawsuit filed in 2014 |
| Settlement | Reported in 2015; terms private |
| Net worth | Not reliably known |
| Current life | Mostly private |
Robert Joseph Gilliam’s Early Life
Very little reliable information is available about Gilliam’s early life.
His exact birth date and birthplace have not been publicly confirmed. Reports from November 2012 described him as 61 years old, suggesting that he was born around 1950 or 1951.
Information about his parents, siblings, childhood, and education is also not publicly documented in reliable sources.
His Career as a Drug Counselor
Robert Joseph Gilliam was described in 2013 reports as a retired drug counselor.
However, details about his professional career are limited. Public sources do not clearly identify his former employer, qualifications, or the length of his career.
There is also no established acting or television career associated with him.
Robert Joseph Gilliam and Lisa Robin Kelly
Robert Joseph Gilliam became publicly known after his relationship with actress Lisa Robin Kelly.
Kelly was an American actress best known for playing Laurie Forman on That ’70s Show. She appeared in the series alongside Topher Grace, Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher, Laura Prepon, and Wilmer Valderrama.
Gilliam and Kelly married in October 2012.
At the time, reports said Gilliam was 61 and Kelly was 42, giving them a reported age difference of about 19 years.
Their Troubled Marriage
The marriage quickly became difficult.
In November 2012, police responded to a disturbance involving the couple in Mooresville, North Carolina. Both Gilliam and Kelly were arrested and faced misdemeanor assault-related charges. They were later released on bond.
Later reports described allegations of physical conflict between the couple. Gilliam was subsequently reported to have been convicted of domestic battery and received jail time, probation, and other court requirements.
Because accounts of the relationship differed, allegations should be kept separate from established court-related facts.
Kelly Filed for Divorce
In 2013, Lisa Robin Kelly filed for divorce from Gilliam, citing irreconcilable differences. She also reportedly obtained a restraining order.
The divorce was never completed.
Kelly and Gilliam were therefore separated when she died, but they were still legally married at the time of her death.
Lisa Robin Kelly’s Death
Lisa Robin Kelly died on August 15, 2013, at age 43, while staying at a treatment facility in California.
Her death was later ruled accidental and attributed to multiple drug intoxication. Authorities found no evidence of foul play, according to the supplied reports.
After her death, Gilliam spoke publicly about their relationship. He said they had been in love and discussed Kelly’s struggles with alcohol and drugs.
Gilliam also claimed that Kelly had contacted him for help before her death and that he was preparing to help her receive treatment closer to North Carolina. These statements represent Gilliam’s account of events.
The Wrongful-Death Lawsuit
In 2014, Robert Joseph Gilliam filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the treatment facility where Kelly died.
The facility was identified as Pax House in Altadena, California.
The lawsuit alleged that Kelly did not receive proper care and supervision. It also raised claims involving staff training and treatment.
These were allegations made in a civil lawsuit and should not be treated as proven facts.
What Happened to the Lawsuit?
The case was reportedly settled in 2015.
The financial terms were not publicly disclosed. Because of this, there is no reliable figure for how much Gilliam may have received from the settlement.
A settlement also does not establish that all allegations in the lawsuit were proven.
Did Robert Joseph Gilliam Have Children?
There are no publicly known children from Gilliam’s marriage to Lisa Robin Kelly.
Reliable information about whether Gilliam had children from another relationship is not available.
Robert Joseph Gilliam’s Net Worth
Gilliam’s personal net worth is not reliably known.
His income, property, savings, investments, and other assets have not been publicly documented well enough to calculate an accurate figure. Online estimates should therefore be treated as unverified.
The amount of his 2015 legal settlement was also kept private.
Where Is Robert Joseph Gilliam Now?
Gilliam has largely stayed out of the public eye since the lawsuit.
There is little reliable recent information about his current job, location, relationships, or daily life. No widely verified public social media account is established in the supplied sources.
His life after the settlement remains mostly private.
Interesting Facts
- Robert Joseph Gilliam is best known as Lisa Robin Kelly’s husband.
- He was described as a retired drug counselor.
- Reports said he was 61 in November 2012.
- He married Lisa Robin Kelly in October 2012.
- Both were arrested following a domestic disturbance in November 2012.
- Kelly filed for divorce in 2013.
- Their divorce was not completed before Kelly died.
- Kelly died on August 15, 2013, at age 43.
- Gilliam filed a wrongful-death lawsuit in 2014.
- The lawsuit was settled in 2015.
- The settlement terms were not publicly disclosed.
- Gilliam’s current activities and net worth are not reliably known.
- He has largely maintained a private life since the events surrounding Kelly’s death.
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