ACTOR · BORN 1936
Keir Dullea
- Born
- 30 May 1936
14 archived facts 4 topics 1 source Last reviewed Sep 2026
All facts (14)
- #001
Keir Dullea is known as one of the last people to see Sal Mineo before his death. The two were rehearsing together for a stage play shortly before Mineo was tragically murdered in 1976. This rehearsal was among Mineo's final works and left a deep impression on Dullea's memories. The event went down in cinema history as a sad anecdote recalling Hollywood's dark side.
- #002
Keir Dullea is best known in his film career for the role of astronaut Dave Bowman in Stanley Kubrick's masterpiece 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968). He reprised the role in the 1984 sequel 2010: The Year We Make Contact, securing an important place in science fiction history. Interestingly, Dullea did not audition for this iconic role. After watching his performance in the 1965 film Bunny Lake Is Missing, Kubrick made him a direct offer, and Dullea accepted. That decision brought about the birth of one of cinema history's most unforgettable characters.
- #003
Both of Keir Dullea's parents appeared on camera in small roles in their son's films. His father, Robert Dullea, played the elderly Marquis De Sade in the 1969 film De Sade. The scene was added to the film after Keir did not want to wear old-age makeup; he suggested his father for the role. Robert Dullea traveled for this scene, which was shot in Germany, and according to Keir he greatly enjoyed the experience. His mother, Margaret Ruttan Dullea, appeared in a non-speaking role in the 1962 film David and Lisa, appearing before the audience as she climbed a staircase.
- #004
Keir Dullea played the father of a murder victim in 'Flowers for Your Grave' (2009), the first episode of the popular television series Castle. The episode was significant as the show's beginning, and Dullea drew attention with his experienced acting. The series later paid tribute to Dullea's most famous film, 2001: A Space Odyssey, in the episode 'The Wrong Stuff', which aired in 2015. The gesture was an elegant nod to both Dullea's career and the classics of science fiction cinema.
- #005
Keir Dullea was portrayed by actor Jim Parrack in the 2011 film Sal, directed by James Franco. The film dealt with the life of actor Sal Mineo, who was killed in 1976. Dullea and Mineo were together in rehearsals for the play 'P.S. Your Cat is Dead' just before Mineo's death. This connection led to Dullea's inclusion in the film as an important figure in Mineo's life. The film drew attention as a biography shedding light on Hollywood's dark periods.
- #006
During his years in Westport, Keir Dullea made important contributions to theater together with his wife. The couple staged four new plays as well as several revivals. One of these plays, 'Doubles', achieved great success with a long Broadway run. This period showed that Dullea was not only a film actor but also an artist devoted to theater. These works in Westport were proof of his commitment to the performing arts.
- #007
Keir Dullea's name is pronounced 'Keer Doo-lay' according to English pronunciation rules. However, the name is frequently mispronounced in different languages and even among English speakers. This was a small but constant problem the famous actor faced throughout his career. Despite these mispronunciations, Dullea succeeded in writing his name into cinema history in golden letters.
- #008
Keir Dullea was among the names considered for the role of Tom Hagen in Francis Ford Coppola's legendary film The Godfather (1972). However, the role was ultimately given to Robert Duvall, and Duvall went down in cinema history with his performance. Missing out on this role could have been an important turning point in Dullea's career. Even so, Dullea took his rightful place in the film world with his unforgettable performance in 2001: A Space Odyssey.
- #009
Keir Dullea is one of only two actors, along with Douglas Rain, to appear in both 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) and 2010: The Year We Make Contact (1984). These two films are among the most important works Stanley Kubrick and the sequel contributed to science fiction cinema. With his role in these films, Dullea won great acclaim from both critics and audiences. This unique achievement reinforced his lasting legacy in the science fiction genre.
- #010
In 1983, Keir Dullea founded the Westport Theatre Artists Workshop together with his then-wife Susie Fuller Dullea. The workshop aimed to support theater artists and encourage the development of new talent. With this initiative, the Dulleas made an important contribution to the theater world. Over time, the workshop became an important center in the region's cultural life.
- #011
In the mid-1960s, rumors spread that Paramount Pictures was working on a film project titled 'Dear and Glorious Physician' and was considering Keir Dullea for the lead role. Dullea was to play Saint Luke in the film. However, the project was shelved due to its high cost and concerns that biblical 'epic' films had gone out of fashion. This development caused Dullea to miss an important opportunity in his career, but he later achieved a major breakthrough with 2001: A Space Odyssey.
- #012
Keir Dullea's former wife Susan Lessans later married former professional football star Don Meredith. Meredith is known as one of the legendary names of American football. This connection is an interesting detail in which Dullea's private life intersected with the sports world. Although Dullea and Lessans's marriage ended, this relationship reveals the ties between Hollywood and the sports world.
- #013
Keir Dullea took the stage in the role of the 'Narrator' in the play 'Mary Rose', staged at the Vineyard Theatre in New York. The play was the work of the famous writer J.M. Barrie and had a story containing supernatural elements. This performance of Dullea's showed the diversity in his theater career. Continuing his commitment to the performing arts, Dullea appeared before audiences with this production as well.
- #014
Keir Dullea spent his life between an apartment in New York and a house in Connecticut. These two places allowed him to benefit from both the dynamism of city life and the peace of the countryside. While New York was a central location for his theater and film career, his house in Connecticut offered him a quiet escape. This lifestyle reflected a balance in harmony with Dullea's identity as an artist.
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