The Untold Story of Robert Joseph Gilliam and His Short Marriage to Lisa Robin Kelly

When people think of That ’70s Show, they often remember the character Laurie Forman, played by actress Lisa Robin Kelly. She was funny, bold, and full of energy on-screen. But behind the scenes, her real life was filled with struggles, pain, and heartbreak.

One of the most emotional chapters in Lisa’s life involved a man named Robert Joseph Gilliam. He wasn’t famous. In fact, he was a quiet man who had nothing to do with Hollywood. But after marrying Lisa in 2012, his name made the news in ways no one expected.

In this article, we’ll explore who Robert Joseph Gilliam was, how he met Lisa, why their marriage fell apart so quickly, and what happened afterward. This is the untold story of love, pain, addiction — and a tragic ending.

Robert Joseph Gilliam Quick Bio

Who Was Robert Joseph Gilliam?

Robert Joseph Gilliam was not a celebrity. He wasn’t a movie star or someone you’d see in magazines. He was born in 1951, and he lived a quiet, simple life away from the spotlight.

Before meeting Lisa, Robert worked as a drug counselor. That means he helped people who were struggling with addiction. His job was to guide them toward a better life. Many saw him as calm and caring — someone who wanted to make a difference.

He became known only because of his short marriage to Lisa Robin Kelly. After news broke about their relationship and the problems that followed, people started asking: Who is this man?

Robert Joseph Gilliam’s Life Before Fame

Not much is known about Robert’s early life. He never shared stories about his childhood, family, or where he grew up. It seems he wanted to keep his personal life private — and he did a good job of that.

We don’t know which schools he went to or if he had brothers or sisters. Even now, those parts of his life remain a mystery.

What we do know is that Robert worked for many years as a drug abuse counselor. He helped people deal with serious problems and guided them through recovery. That kind of job takes a lot of patience and heart. It’s possible that this caring side of Robert is what connected him to Lisa when she was going through a hard time.

How Robert Joseph Gilliam Met Lisa Robin Kelly

Lisa Robin Kelly was having a very hard time in her life around 2012. Her acting career had slowed down. She had been in the news before — not for good reasons, but for struggles with drugs and alcohol. Some reports even say she was homeless and living in her car.

This is when she met Robert Joseph Gilliam. They crossed paths in North Carolina, and their meeting seemed like it happened for a reason. Robert had experience helping people with addiction. Lisa needed help and maybe saw him as a safe place to land.

For Robert, maybe he saw someone he wanted to rescue — someone he believed he could support and guide, just like the people he helped in his career.

Robert Joseph Gilliam and Lisa’s Fast Marriage

After they met, things moved quickly. In just a short time, Robert and Lisa got married. Their wedding took place in October 2012. It wasn’t a big Hollywood event — just a small and quiet ceremony with only a few people attending.

At the time, Robert was 61 years old, and Lisa was 42. That’s a 19-year age gap, but it didn’t seem to matter to them. What mattered was that they both felt like they were getting a second chance. Lisa had been through a lot, and this marriage felt like a fresh start.

Many people hoped that Robert, with his calm nature and experience, could help Lisa find peace. But sadly, things didn’t turn out that way.

Troubles Started Right After the Wedding

Just one month after the wedding, things took a dark turn. In November 2012, both Robert Joseph Gilliam and Lisa Robin Kelly were arrested after a fight at their home in Mooresville, North Carolina. They were both charged with misdemeanor assault.

The news shocked many people. They had just gotten married, and now they were in trouble with the law. What was supposed to be a healing relationship quickly turned into something toxic.

After the arrest, both were released on bond, but the damage was done. Their home life became filled with stress, anger, and more problems. Sadly, what brought them together — their shared fight against addiction — also became something that pulled them apart.

Why Lisa Filed for Divorce from Robert Gilliam

By July 2013, less than a year after their wedding, Lisa filed for divorce. She said their relationship had too many problems to continue. In her divorce papers, she cited “irreconcilable differences.”

But there was more behind the scenes. Reports say one of their worst fights started when Robert asked Lisa to empty her bank account and give him the money. When she refused, she said he attacked her. She tried to call the police, but Robert grabbed her phone. Thankfully, a neighbor heard the fight and called the police.

After that, Lisa took strong steps to protect herself. She got a restraining order to keep Robert away from her. The marriage was over in every way, but the divorce was still going through the legal system.

Robert Joseph Gilliam’s Domestic Violence Case

After Lisa filed for divorce, the legal trouble didn’t stop there. Robert Joseph Gilliam was later convicted of domestic battery. This wasn’t just about a fight between a couple — it became a serious legal matter.

The court gave Robert a sentence of 69 days in jail. He also got 3 years of probation. On top of that, he had to attend a 52-week domestic violence program — a full year of classes to help him understand and change his behavior. The court also told him to stay at least 100 yards away from Lisa at all times.

This was a big fall for someone who once worked to help others. As a former drug counselor, Robert had spent years helping people through tough times. But now, he was the one in the middle of a very dark situation.

Lisa Robin Kelly’s Tragic Death

Just a few weeks after the divorce filing, something very sad happened. On August 15, 2013, Lisa Robin Kelly passed away in her sleep. She was only 43 years old.

Lisa had checked into a rehab center in California, trying to get her life back on track. But her body couldn’t handle the damage from years of addiction. The cause of death was listed as multiple drug intoxication.

At the time of her death, Lisa and Robert were still legally married because the divorce wasn’t final yet. Her passing shocked fans, friends, and even Robert himself. It was a heartbreaking end to a life full of ups and downs.

What Robert Gilliam Said After Lisa Died

After Lisa’s death, Robert Joseph Gilliam gave a few emotional statements to the media. He said that he and Lisa were once “very much in love.” He admitted their marriage had problems, but he blamed it mostly on addiction, not on their feelings for each other.

Robert also said that Lisa called him 22 times before she died. She wanted his help to leave her new boyfriend and move to a different rehab — one closer to North Carolina, where they had lived before.

He claimed he was trying to arrange everything for her return. According to him, Lisa agreed to come back east and get better. Sadly, she died before that could happen.

He wanted people to remember the happy, playful side of Lisa — not just the addiction or the legal drama. He said the Lisa he knew was full of life, fun, and laughter.

Robert Joseph Gilliam’s Lawsuit Against the Rehab Center

After Lisa’s death, Robert didn’t just grieve — he took legal action. He believed that the rehab center, called Pax House, had not taken good care of her.

So, Robert Joseph Gilliam filed a wrongful death lawsuit. He said the staff weren’t properly trained and failed to give Lisa the help she needed. He also said the center’s owners were responsible because they didn’t create a safe environment for someone in Lisa’s condition.

The case lasted about three years. In the end, it was settled privately. That means the court didn’t make a public ruling, and no one knows how much money — if any — Robert received. The details were kept secret, so the public never found out what the final agreement was.

Where Is Robert Joseph Gilliam Now?

After the lawsuit, Robert Joseph Gilliam disappeared from the spotlight. There haven’t been any new interviews, photos, or news reports about him. As of 2025, he is 74 years old and believed to be living a very private life.

He didn’t remarry. He didn’t go back into public work. It seems like he chose to live quietly, away from the pain and attention that came after Lisa’s death.

Some people still wonder where he is or how he feels now. But Robert has made it clear — he wants to be left alone.

Final Thoughts

This story is more than just headlines. It shows how addiction can hurt even the strongest relationships. Robert was a drug counselor. Lisa was a talented actress. But their love wasn’t enough to fight the demons they both faced.

It also shows that kindness and support are important, but sometimes, they aren’t enough without real help and healing. Even people who try their best can still fall apart when addiction takes control.

Their story reminds us that behind every public drama is a private pain. It’s easy to judge from the outside, but harder to understand what someone is really going through.