Robert Joseph Gilliam is best known as the husband of actress Lisa Robin Kelly from That ’70s Show. Public records and news stories show a short and troubled marriage, a breakup, and then legal action after Lisa’s death in 2013. In this article, we keep the language simple and the facts clear. We also share what is not known, so you can separate truth from rumor.
Personl Information
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Robert Joseph Gilliam |
| Known for | Husband of actress Lisa Robin Kelly (Laurie Forman on That ’70s Show) |
| Relationship | Married Lisa Robin Kelly in October 2012; she filed for divorce in mid-2013 |
| Age reported in 2012 | 61 years old (noted in North Carolina arrest reports) |
| Reported job | Retired drug counselor |
| Home during marriage | Mooresville, North Carolina (site of a police call in Nov 2012) |
| Notable event | Both spouses arrested after a disturbance in Nov 2012; later released on bond |
| Legal steps after split | Lisa filed for divorce and sought a restraining order in 2013 |
| After Lisa’s death | Robert filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the rehab facility in 2014 |
| Key context | Lisa died in August 2013 at age 43; coroner said accidental multiple-drug intoxication |
Early life and background
There is little verified public information about Robert Gilliam’s early life, family, or education. Most reliable sources speak about him only in the context of Lisa Robin Kelly. Because of this, we avoid guessing about his childhood or personal history. What we can document is his age during 2012, his reported job, and his part in events that became public. Local TV reports in North Carolina listed him as 61 years old at the time, and Inside Edition described him as a retired drug counselor in 2013 interviews.
How Robert and Lisa became public news
Lisa Robin Kelly was famous for playing Laurie Forman on That ’70s Show. She had a well-known struggle with addiction and several arrests. In late 2012 and 2013, the couple’s problems became public. These reports focused on police calls, court filings, and later, Lisa’s tragic death. A clear picture of daily life inside the home is not available, but the legal record shows key moments.
Marriage and move into the spotlight
Robert Gilliam and Lisa Robin Kelly married in October 2012. At the time, the wedding raised hopes for a fresh start. But within weeks, trouble followed. In November 2012, police in Mooresville, North Carolina, responded to a disturbance at their home. Both Lisa and Robert were arrested and charged with assault, and later released on bond. Local stations reported the arrests and Robert’s age.
Inside Edition later described Robert as a retired drug counselor and shared his account that Lisa had relapsed after a back injury. The interview shows his view, but it is one side of a painful story.
Separation and court filings
In mid-2013, Lisa filed for divorce from Robert. Public records in Los Angeles show a family case filed on June 28, 2013, with Kelly as petitioner and Gilliam as respondent. Several outlets also reported that she sought a restraining order. These filings came less than a year after the wedding and followed the North Carolina incident.
Lisa’s death and what followed
On August 15, 2013, Lisa died at age 43 in a rehab facility in Altadena, California. The Los Angeles County coroner later ruled the death accidental due to multiple drug intoxication. Officials reported that sheriff’s investigators found no foul play. These official findings are important, because they set the baseline for any later claims.
In June 2014, Robert Gilliam filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against Pax House, the rehab center, and its operators. The complaint claimed negligence and poor care. Later summaries mention a settlement, but public, verifiable details of any final outcome are limited.
Media coverage and public image
Most stories that name Robert appear in entertainment news, local TV reports, and court summaries. Inside Edition interviewed him after Lisa’s death, where he said he had urged her to get treatment and described recent relapses. Background pieces also recapped the arrest and the short timeline from wedding to divorce filing. These articles give context, but they also rely on statements from people close to the situation and from police bulletins.
Because the sources are mixed, it is best to treat personal claims with care. The most solid items are police reports, court filings, and coroner findings. These documents confirm the marriage in 2012, arrests in North Carolina, the divorce petition in 2013, Lisa’s death in August 2013, and the wrongful-death lawsuit in 2014.
What is known and what remains private
Known facts
- Married Lisa Robin Kelly in October 2012.
- Both spouses were arrested after a disturbance in November 2012 in Mooresville, North Carolina; Robert’s age was listed as 61.
- Lisa filed for divorce and sought a restraining order in mid-2013.
- Lisa died on August 15, 2013; the coroner ruled accidental multiple-drug intoxication.
- Robert filed a wrongful-death lawsuit in June 2014 against the rehab facility.
Unknown or not confirmed
- Exact birth date and place for Robert.
- Full career history beyond the “retired drug counselor” description from interviews.
- Any personal details outside what appears in public records.
Keeping these lines clear helps avoid mixing him up with other people who share the same name.
Why this story still matters
This story is not only about a Hollywood marriage. It also shows the hard reality of addiction, the stress inside relationships, and the limits of public knowledge. When we read about arrests and lawsuits, it is easy to forget that real people are behind those headlines. The documents tell us where police went, who filed what, and when. They do not tell us everything about care, love, fear, or intent. That is why it is good to focus on verified facts and avoid rumors.
Final thought
When writing about people tied to tragedy, it is best to use simple words and careful sources. The facts about Robert Joseph Gilliam come from police reports, court filings, and newsrooms that covered a difficult time. This is the clearest picture we can draw today.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
- Who is Robert Joseph Gilliam?
He is best known as the husband of Lisa Robin Kelly from That ’70s Show. - When did he marry Lisa Robin Kelly?
They married in October 2012. - Where did the police incident happen?
In Mooresville, North Carolina, in November 2012. Police arrested both spouses and later released them on bond. - How old was Robert at that time?
Local reports listed him as 61 years old in November 2012. - Did Lisa file for divorce?
Yes. She filed in late June 2013, and reports said she also sought a restraining order. - What happened to Lisa Robin Kelly?
She died on August 15, 2013, at age 43. The coroner ruled her death an accident due to multiple drug intoxication. - What did Robert do after her death?
He filed a wrongful-death lawsuit in 2014 against the rehab facility where she had been staying. - Was Robert a drug counselor?
In interviews, he was described as a retired drug counselor. - Is the 2010 Florida obituary about him?
No. That obituary is for a different person with the same name. - Why is so little known about him?
He was a private person who became public only because of his marriage to a TV star. Most records are about police calls, court cases, and the lawsuit, not his personal life.
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