When people search the name Robert Joseph Gilliam online, they often become confused. This is because the same name belongs to two different men, not one. These two men lived different lives, in different times, and for very different reasons appear on the internet.
One Robert Joseph Gilliam is remembered through obituary records as a private family man. The other Robert Joseph Gilliam became known because of his marriage to actress Lisa Robin Kelly and later legal news.
This article explains both individuals in a clear and simple way. It separates their stories so readers can understand who is who without confusion.
Why the Name Causes Confusion
Many websites collect information automatically. When two people have the same full name, their details can get mixed together. This happens often online.
The confusion around Robert Joseph Gilliam exists because:
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Both men have the same full name
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One appears in obituary websites
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The other appears in news and legal articles
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Search engines do not always check dates or context
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Some websites copy content without checking facts
Because of this, people may wrongly think both records belong to one person.
Robert Joseph Gilliam (1940–2010): The Private Individual
The first Robert Joseph Gilliam lived a private and quiet life. He was not a public figure and did not appear in news stories during his lifetime.
Basic Information
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Full Name: Robert Joseph Gilliam
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Born: September 3, 1940
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Died: June 21, 2010
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Birthplace: Indianapolis, Indiana
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Later Residence: Okeechobee, Florida
His Life in Simple Terms
This Robert Joseph Gilliam lived like many everyday people. He worked, raised a family, and stayed out of the public spotlight.
Key points about his life:
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Moved to Florida later in life
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Worked for a large company
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Focused on family and home
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Known mainly by relatives and friends
Career
Information about his career comes from obituary records.
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Employer: General Motors
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Type of Work: Manufacturing / industrial work
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Career Style: Long-term and stable
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Public Attention: None
There are no public interviews, awards, or media stories about his work. His job was mentioned only to describe his life, not to highlight fame.
Family and Personal Life
Family played an important role in his life.
He was survived by:
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His wife
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His children
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Other family members
Obituaries describe him as a family man and focus on remembrance rather than achievements.
Online Presence and Legacy
His name appears online only because of:
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Funeral home websites
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Newspaper obituary pages
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Memorial guestbooks
These pages exist to honor his memory, not to share news or controversy.
Important note:
There are no legal problems, arrests, or public scandals connected to this individual.
Read also: Berniece Julien
Robert Joseph Gilliam (Born Around 1951): The Publicly Known Individual
The second Robert Joseph Gilliam became known because of his connection to a famous actress, not because of his own career or public work.
Basic Information
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Full Name: Robert Joseph Gilliam
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Born: Around 1951
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Known For: Marriage to Lisa Robin Kelly
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Public Attention: News and legal coverage
Why He Became Known
This Robert Joseph Gilliam came into public view after marrying Lisa Robin Kelly, an actress best known for her role on That ’70s Show.
Before this marriage, he had little to no public profile.
Marriage to Lisa Robin Kelly
Important points about the marriage:
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Marriage took place in 2012
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Lisa Robin Kelly was already famous
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Media interest followed the relationship
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The marriage was short
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They separated in 2013
Because Kelly was a public figure, news outlets reported on events involving her personal life.
Legal and News Coverage
Gilliam’s name appears in news articles mainly because of a 2012 domestic incident involving Kelly.
News reports often included:
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Details of an arrest
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Charges related to the incident
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Bond amounts
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Court dates
The articles focused on events, not on Gilliam’s background or career.
Events After Lisa Robin Kelly’s Death
After Kelly passed away in 2013, Gilliam became involved in a wrongful death lawsuit connected to a rehabilitation facility.
This led to more mentions of his name on:
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Legal websites
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Law blogs
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Court-related articles
These articles usually discussed legal rules and processes, not his personal life.
How He Appears Online
Gilliam is listed on different types of websites.
Common platforms include:
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News websites
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Wikipedia (as a spouse reference only)
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Wikidata databases
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Celebrity gossip or biography sites
Many celebrity websites use storytelling and speculation. These sources may include sections like:
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“Background”
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“Net worth”
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“What happened next”
These details are often not fully verified.
Lack of Independent Public Career
Even though his name appears online, there is:
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No confirmed professional biography
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No known public job or career
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No public achievements or awards
His public identity exists mostly because of his relationship with a famous person.
Comparison Table: Two Different People
| Category | Robert Gilliam (1940–2010) | Robert Gilliam (Born ~1951) |
|---|---|---|
| Birth Year | 1940 | Around 1951 |
| Death | 2010 | Not reported |
| Known For | Family life, obituary | Marriage and legal news |
| Career | General Motors employee | Not publicly known |
| Media Coverage | None | Yes |
| Legal Issues | None | Yes |
| Public Figure | No | Indirectly |
| Online Records | Obituaries | News and legal sites |
Simple List of Key Differences
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They are not the same person
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They lived in different time periods
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One lived a private life
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One appeared in news reports
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One is remembered by family
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One is known because of public events
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There is no connection between them
How to Tell Which One a Website Is Talking About
Use this checklist:
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Mentions obituary or funeral → 1940–2010 individual
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Mentions Lisa Robin Kelly → Born ~1951 individual
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Talks about family survivors → 1940–2010 individual
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Talks about arrests or lawsuits → Born ~1951 individual
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Mentions General Motors → 1940–2010 individual
Why Correct Identification Is Important
Mixing up these two people can cause problems.
Possible issues include:
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Wrong information shared online
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Damage to a family’s reputation
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Confusion for researchers and readers
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Unfair linking of legal issues to the wrong person
Correct information helps protect truth and fairness.
Conclusion
The name Robert Joseph Gilliam belongs to two different men with two very different lives. One lived quietly and is remembered through obituary records. The other became known because of marriage to a famous actress and later legal events.
Understanding this difference helps readers avoid mistakes and ensures that each individual is treated fairly and accurately.