Robert Joseph Gilliam was not a famous man. But many people know his name because of his short and troubled marriage to actress Lisa Robin Kelly from That ’70s Show.
Their relationship made headlines for all the wrong reasons — fights, arrests, and heartbreak. Even years after Lisa’s death, people are still curious about who Robert Gilliam was and what role he played in her life.
In this article, we will look at his full story. We’ll talk about his early life, how he met Lisa, what went wrong in their marriage, and where he is now. You’ll also learn about how he saw things from his side — and why people still have strong opinions about him today.
Robert Joseph Gilliam Quick Bio
| Attribute |
Details |
| Full Name |
Robert Joseph Gilliam |
| Known For |
Being the husband of actress Lisa Robin Kelly |
| Date of Birth |
Not publicly known (Estimated mid‑1960s) |
| Age (as of 2026) |
Around 60–65 years old |
| Birthplace |
United States |
| Nationality |
American |
| Height |
Around 5 feet 10 inches (approx.) |
| Marital Status |
Widowed |
| Spouse |
Lisa Robin Kelly (married 2012, died 2013) |
| Children |
No known children |
| Profession |
Unknown / Possible small business work |
| Criminal Record |
Yes (domestic battery conviction) |
| Current Residence |
Believed to be North Carolina, USA |
| Net Worth |
Estimated under $100,000 |
Who Was Robert Joseph Gilliam?
Robert Joseph Gilliam was an American man who became known only because of his marriage to Lisa Robin Kelly. Before that, he lived a very quiet and private life. Most people had never heard of him.
He was not an actor or a celebrity. He was not part of the entertainment world at all. His name only came into the news because of his troubled relationship with Lisa in 2012 and 2013.
People started to notice Robert when stories about their arrests and fights started to appear online. His name was linked to Lisa’s final days, which were filled with stress, legal issues, and emotional pain.
Robert’s Early Life
Robert was born in the United States, probably around the mid-1960s. As of 2025, that would make him about 60 to 65 years old. But we don’t know his exact birthday, because it was never shared publicly.
Very little is known about his childhood or family. There is no clear information about where he went to school or what kind of life he had growing up.
However, public court records show that he had some legal issues even before he met Lisa. These included things like domestic violence charges and assault cases. So, trouble seemed to follow him, even before his name became public.
What Did Robert Joseph Gilliam Do for Work?
There is no official record of Robert having a full-time job or career in the public eye. He never worked in movies, TV, or anything related to fame or media.
Some reports say he might have been involved in small business work, maybe in real estate or construction in North Carolina. But nothing has ever been confirmed. His work life mostly stayed in the shadows.
During court cases, Robert was listed as having very few assets, which means he didn’t own much or earn a lot. He never showed signs of having a big income or successful business.
How Did Robert Meet Lisa Robin Kelly?
Robert met Lisa Robin Kelly sometime around 2011. At the time, Lisa had moved to North Carolina. She was trying to get away from Hollywood to recover from personal struggles and start fresh.
Lisa had been dealing with addiction problems and bad press. So she decided to leave Los Angeles and take a break from the spotlight. That’s when she crossed paths with Robert.
Their connection started during a difficult time in Lisa’s life. Some believed Robert was trying to support her, while others thought he took advantage of her vulnerable state. Either way, their relationship moved quickly.
Robert and Lisa Robin’s Marriage
Robert and Lisa got married in October 2012. But their marriage turned bad very fast. It didn’t even last a full year before things fell apart.
There was also a big age gap between them — Robert was 61, and Lisa was 42 at the time. Just weeks after their wedding, the couple had a major fight that led to both of them being arrested for assault.
The arrest happened in Mooresville, North Carolina, in November 2012. Both were charged with misdemeanor assault, and the story was picked up by the media. Their relationship quickly became known as toxic and unsafe.
People close to Lisa said she was not in a good place mentally, and the marriage only made things worse. The love and support she needed never came. Instead, their home became a place of fear and fights.
Robert and Lisa Robin’s Personal Life and Children
Robert and Lisa did not have any childrentogether. Their relationship was very short, and it was full of problems from the beginning.
There’s also no public record that Robert had children from any past relationship. So it looks like he never became a father.
The couple lived together for a short time, mostly in North Carolina, and maybe for a while in California. But their life was anything but peaceful. They had many arguments, and their home became a place where the police were called multiple times. Friends of Lisa claimed Robert was controlling and did not support her recovery.
Many close to Lisa believed the relationship made her addiction worse. Some even said it pushed her into a darker place. The public could see that something wasn’t right, especially when both of them were getting into legal trouble.
The Fights, Arrests, and Court Drama
Things between Robert and Lisa got worse with time. Police were called to their house more than once because of loud arguments and physical fights.
One of the worst fights happened when Robert allegedly told Lisa to empty her bank account and give him the money. When she refused, he reportedly physically attacked her.
Lisa tried to call the police, but Robert grabbed her phone. Thankfully, a neighbor heard the fight and called 911. This led to Robert being arrested again and taken to court.
Later, Robert was convicted of domestic battery. He was ordered to:
-
Spend 69 days in jail
-
Be on probation for 3 years
-
Complete a 52-week domestic violence course
-
And stay 100 yards away from Lisa at all times.
Lisa also got a restraining order to protect herself. She was trying to break free from the toxic marriage.
Why Lisa Filed for Divorce
After months of fear and stress, Lisa finally decided she could not stay in the marriage anymore. In July 2013, she officially filed for divorce from Robert Joseph Gilliam. She listed irreconcilable differences, which means the relationship was broken beyond repair.
Before filing for divorce, Lisa also asked for a restraining order. She wanted legal protection and space to feel safe again. Friends said she was trying to save herself and start a new life away from control, fights, and fear.
The divorce process had already started, but it was never completed. Life moved too fast, and tragedy arrived before the court could make a final decision. This made her story even more painful for fans to accept.
Lisa’s Death and What Happened After
On August 15, 2013, Lisa Robin Kelly passed away at the age of 43. She died in her sleep while staying at a rehab center in California. Her death shocked fans around the world.
She had entered rehab only two days earlier, hoping to get clean and restart her life. The official cause of death was ruled an accidental overdose. That same day, she was supposed to attend a court hearing related to her divorce.
After her death, emotions ran high. Many people close to Lisa felt her toxic marriage had pushed her deeper into pain. Her story became one of Hollywood’s most heartbreaking endings.
Robert’s Side of the Story
About a week after Lisa’s death, Robert Joseph Gilliam spoke to the media. He said they were “very much in love” and claimed drugs and alcohol were the only real problems between them.
He said Lisa was sober when they married but later relapsed due to pain pills for a back injury. He claimed he warned her to get help and even threatened to leave if she did not seek treatment.
Robert also said Lisa called him 22 times, asking for help to leave her boyfriend. He said he was planning to bring her back to rehab near North Carolina, but she passed away before that could happen.
Where Is Robert Joseph Gilliam Now?
After Lisa’s death, Robert Joseph Gilliam completely disappeared from public view. He stopped talking to the media and never gave another interview.
Most reports believe he returned to North Carolina, where he chose to live a quiet and private life. There have been no confirmed public sightings or major updates since then.
As of 2026, Robert remains a mystery. Some people still search his name, while others feel the story should be left to rest.
Robert Joseph Net Worth
Robert Joseph Gilliam was never known to be wealthy. He did not have a high-paying job or a successful public career.
Court documents during his legal cases showed that he had very few assets. This suggests his income and savings were limited at the time.
Because of his private life, his exact finances are unknown. However, most estimates place Robert Joseph Gilliam’s net worth under $100,000.
Final Thoughts
Robert Joseph Gilliam’s story is complicated and deeply sad. He was not famous, yet his name became linked to one of Hollywood’s most tragic stories involving Lisa Robin Kelly.
Some people see him as a harmful figure who made her struggles worse. Others believe his life is more complex than headlines show. What is clear is that their relationship ended in pain.
Today, Robert lives far from the spotlight. His story reminds us how private struggles can turn into public tragedies — and how one relationship can change lives forever.
FAQs
How old is Robert Joseph Gilliam now?
As of 2026, Robert Joseph Gilliam is believed to be around 60 to 65 years old. His exact birthdate is not publicly known.
Where is Robert Joseph Gilliam from?
He is from the United States, and he was last believed to be living in North Carolina after disappearing from public life.
How tall is Robert Joseph Gilliam?
His height was never officially confirmed, but he appears to be around 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) based on public photos.
Did Robert Joseph Gilliam have any kids?
There are no public records or reports confirming that Robert Joseph Gilliam had any children.
What did Robert Joseph Gilliam do for a living?
His exact job is unknown. Some reports say he may have done small business or real estate work, but nothing has been confirmed.
