Robert Joseph Gilliam became known to many people not because he was famous, but because he married a popular actress from television. His name came into the spotlight when he married Lisa Robin Kelly, who played Laurie Forman on the hit show “That ’70s Show.” Their story was not a happy one. It was filled with love, problems, and sadness that touched many people’s hearts.
Personal Info
| Full Name | Robert Joseph Gilliam |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 1951 |
| Age | 74 years old (as of 2025) |
| Place of Birth | United States (possibly North Carolina) |
| Profession | Former Drug Counselor |
| Famous For | Being the husband of actress Lisa Robin Kelly |
| Marriage Date | October 2012 |
| Spouse | Lisa Robin Kelly (married 2012, filed for divorce 2013) |
| Current Status | Living privately, away from public attention |
Early Life and His Work
Robert Joseph Gilliam was born in 1951 in America. Not much is known about his childhood or his family. He never wanted to be famous or in the public eye. Before meeting Lisa, Robert lived a quiet and normal life.
For many years, Robert worked as a drug counselor. This means he helped people who had problems with drugs or alcohol. His job was to support them, guide them through hard times, and help them get better. It was not an easy job. It needed patience, understanding, and a kind heart.
Working as a counselor showed that Robert cared about helping others. He saw how addiction could hurt people and their families. This experience would later become important in his own life when he met Lisa Robin Kelly, who was fighting her own battle with addiction.
Meeting Lisa Robin Kelly
Robert met Lisa Robin Kelly in North Carolina around 2010 or 2012. At that time, Lisa was going through a very difficult period. She was struggling with serious addiction problems. Her acting career, which had once been bright and successful, was now suffering.
Lisa was famous for playing Laurie Forman on “That ’70s Show,” a popular television series. But behind the cameras, she was dealing with pain and challenges that many people did not see.
When Robert and Lisa met, they connected quickly. Some reports say that Lisa was in a very bad situation, and Robert wanted to help her. Because of his background as a counselor, he understood what she was going through. Their relationship grew fast, and soon they decided to get married.
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Marriage and the Beginning of Problems
In October 2012, Robert Joseph Gilliam and Lisa Robin Kelly got married. Robert was 61 years old, and Lisa was 42. This means Robert was 19 years older than Lisa. The wedding was small and private, with only close family and friends attending.
Many hoped that marriage would bring stability to Lisa’s life. But sadly, their relationship faced serious problems almost from the start.
Just one month after their wedding, in November 2012, both Robert and Lisa were arrested. Police came to their home in Mooresville, North Carolina, after getting reports of a fight. Both of them were charged with assault. They each paid a bond of $500 and were released.
This arrest made headlines in newspapers and online. People who loved Lisa’s work on television were shocked and worried about what was happening in her personal life.
More Legal Troubles
The problems between Robert and Lisa did not stop after the first arrest. In May 2013, another serious fight happened between them, this time in Los Angeles.
According to reports, the argument started because Robert wanted Lisa to give him money from her bank account. When she said no, things became violent. Lisa said that Robert pulled her hair, threw her to the ground, and even put his hands around her neck. She claimed he threatened to hurt her badly.
Lisa tried to call the police, but Robert took her phone away. Luckily, a neighbor heard the noise and called the police. Robert was arrested again.
This time, the law took it more seriously. Robert was convicted of domestic battery, which means the court found him guilty of hurting Lisa. His punishment included:
- 69 days in jail
- Three years of probation
- He had to take classes about domestic violence for one year
- He was ordered to stay at least 100 yards away from Lisa
These were serious legal consequences that showed how dangerous their relationship had become.
Lisa Files for Divorce
After all the fights and legal problems, Lisa knew she could not stay married to Robert anymore. In July 2013, she officially filed for divorce. She also got a restraining order, which meant Robert had to stay away from her by law.
The divorce papers said the reason was “irreconcilable differences.” This is a legal term that means two people cannot live together peacefully anymore.
Lisa was trying to start a new chapter in her life. She wanted to get away from the violence and problems. She wanted to get healthy again.
The Tragic Death of Lisa Robin Kelly
On August 15, 2013, very sad news shocked everyone. Lisa Robin Kelly died in her sleep. She was only 43 years old.
At the time, Lisa was staying at a place called Pax House Rehab Center in California. She had checked herself in voluntarily, hoping to finally overcome her addiction. Her boyfriend had taken her there just two days before her death.
Doctors later said her death was accidental. It was caused by taking too many drugs. Lisa had been fighting addiction for many years, and sadly, it took her life.
The timing was heartbreaking. Lisa died before her divorce from Robert was finalized. She died on the same day she was supposed to go to court for a legal hearing. Her life ended before she could truly start fresh.
The Lawsuit Against the Rehab Center
After Lisa’s death, Robert Joseph Gilliam was devastated. Even though they had many problems, he filed a lawsuit against Pax House Rehab Center in 2014.
In the lawsuit, Robert claimed that the rehab center did not take proper care of Lisa. He said the staff was not trained well enough. He believed that with better care, Lisa might still be alive.
The lawsuit asked for money for his pain and loss. It mentioned things like “loss of love, affection, society, and companionship.”
The legal case went on for three years. Finally, in 2017, the lawsuit was settled. This means both sides agreed to end the case without going to trial. The details of the settlement were kept private, so no one knows how much money was involved or what exactly was agreed upon.
Life After Everything
After the lawsuit ended, Robert Joseph Gilliam disappeared from public attention. Today, he is about 74 years old. He has not given any interviews or made any public statements in recent years.
It seems that Robert chose to return to the quiet, private life he had before meeting Lisa. There are no recent news reports about him, and he does not appear in social media or public events.
For Robert, the years with Lisa brought more pain than happiness. The marriage lasted less than one year, but the effects stayed with him much longer.
Understanding the Full Story
The story of Robert Joseph Gilliam and Lisa Robin Kelly is a sad reminder of how addiction and domestic problems can destroy lives. It shows that even when someone has good intentions, like Robert wanting to help Lisa, relationships can still become harmful and dangerous.
Lisa was a talented actress who brought joy to millions of television viewers. But behind the fame, she fought battles that many people did not understand. Robert was someone who spent years helping others with addiction, but he could not save the person he married.
Their story also raises important questions about rehab centers and the kind of care people receive when they are trying to get better. Lisa’s death showed that addiction is a serious illness that needs proper medical support.
Today, Robert Joseph Gilliam lives away from cameras and headlines. His connection to Lisa Robin Kelly will always be part of his story, but there is more to his life than those troubled years. He was a counselor who helped many people before everything became public. He experienced love and loss in ways that most people only see in movies.
Final Thoughts
Robert Joseph Gilliam’s life became public because of his marriage to Lisa Robin Kelly. But he was and still is a real person with his own story, not just a headline. His years as a drug counselor showed his desire to help others, even though his own relationship became filled with problems.
The tragedy of Lisa’s death reminds us that addiction is powerful and that getting help is not always enough. It also teaches us to look beyond the celebrity news and remember that real people with real feelings are behind every story.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Robert Joseph Gilliam?
Robert Joseph Gilliam is best known as the former husband of actress Lisa Robin Kelly from “That ’70s Show.” He worked as a drug counselor before becoming publicly known through his marriage to Lisa.
2. How old is Robert Joseph Gilliam?
Robert was born in 1951, which makes him about 74 years old as of 2025. He was 19 years older than Lisa Robin Kelly when they got married.
3. When did Robert Joseph Gilliam marry Lisa Robin Kelly?
Robert and Lisa got married in October 2012 in a small private ceremony in North Carolina. Their marriage lasted less than one year before Lisa filed for divorce in July 2013.
4. What happened between Robert Gilliam and Lisa Robin Kelly?
Their marriage had serious problems including domestic violence. Both were arrested in November 2012 after a fight. Robert was later convicted of domestic battery after another violent incident in 2013, which led Lisa to file for divorce and get a restraining order.
5. Where is Robert Joseph Gilliam now?
After Lisa’s death and the settlement of his lawsuit against the rehab center, Robert returned to living privately. He has stayed out of the public eye since then, and there are no recent reports about his current activities or location.
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