James Francis Kelly III is an exceptional young man who has already achieved remarkable success at the tender age of sixteen. His role in "Rocky Balboa," the sixth film from Sylvester Stallone, has propelled him to the verge of becoming a household Hollywood name.
Kelly's background in theatre, athletics, and academics has granted him a breadth of skill and a depth of knowledge uncommonly seen in a teenager. His mature and confident nature make an immediate impact, as they did on Stallone, who cast Kelly to play Steps, the troubled son of a down-on-her-luck parent in the film, slated for a December release.
From a young age, Kelly has been perfecting his craft. He was singled out at the age of nine to act as an assistant acting teacher for summer theatre, and has been quietly honing his skills since the age of four. Now, as he stands on Hollywood's doorstep, he is ready to make his mark.
Kelly is a well-rounded individual who is already being recruited to play football at many of the nation's top schools, but his true passion is for acting. Although he is a captain on his varsity football team, Kelly has also practiced Muai Thai, a traditional form of Thai self-defense, for many years, as well as playing other sports such as soccer and racquetball.
Unlike many young adults, Kelly is deeply interested in his cultural background, which has proven to be inspirational. Born to an African-American/Native American mother and a father who is second-generation Irish, Kelly has benefited from each of these cultures. Last summer, Kelly was adopted into the Crow Nation and given his formal Indian name, "Kawaysash," which means "he who does not give up."
It is clear that James Francis Kelly III is not one to give up. He has already proven that whatever the future holds, he will thrive. Renee Missel is Kelly's personal manager, and American Artists Group Management is his business manager.
