Robert Joseph Gilliam Today: What Happened After Lisa Robin Kelly’s Tragic Death?

When people think of That ’70s Show, they often remember Lisa Robin Kelly, who played Laurie Forman. But behind the scenes, Lisa’s personal life was full of struggles, and one of the people connected to that part of her life is Robert Joseph Gilliam.

Robert’s name became known because of his short and troubled marriage to Lisa. Even though their time together was brief, their story caught a lot of public attention. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at who Robert Joseph Gilliam is, his background, his marriage to Lisa, and the challenges they both faced.

Robert Joseph Gilliam Quick Bio

Who Is Robert Joseph Gilliam?

Robert Joseph Gilliam is not a name that most people knew until his connection to Lisa Robin Kelly. He was born in 1951, so as of 2025, he is 74 years old. He is an American and is of white ethnicity.

Before the spotlight fell on him, Robert lived a very private life. He worked as a drug abuse counselor for many years. His job was to help people who were struggling with addiction. This role became important later in his life when he met Lisa, who was also battling addiction at the time.

Robert was known to be a quiet man. He stayed away from the media and kept his personal life to himself. People only started hearing about him because of his marriage to Lisa.

What We Know About His Early Life

There is very little information about Robert’s early years. We don’t know much about his parents, siblings, or where he grew up. He never shared these details with the public.

The same is true for his education. We don’t know which schools or colleges he went to. He simply stayed out of the spotlight and lived his life quietly before meeting Lisa Robin Kelly.

This mystery around his early life made people even more curious about him when his name appeared in news stories about Lisa.

What Did Robert Do for a Living?

Before Robert became known through his marriage, he worked as a drug counselor. His job was to help people who wanted to stop using drugs and live a better life.

This work showed that Robert cared about helping others. He understood the struggles that people with addiction face. He spent many years in this role before he retired.

It’s easy to see how his work as a drug counselor later played a part in his relationship with Lisa. When they met, Lisa was having serious issues with substance use. Maybe Robert thought he could help her in the same way he helped his clients.

How Did Robert Meet Lisa Robin Kelly?

Robert Joseph Gilliam met Lisa Robin Kelly in North Carolina around 2012. At that time, Lisa was struggling. Her acting career was not going well, and she was having trouble with drugs and alcohol.

Reports say that when Robert met Lisa, she was at one of the lowest points in her life. Some sources even say she was homeless and living in her car. It was during this tough time that Robert came into her life.

Their meeting felt like something that was meant to happen. Robert, with his background in helping people with addiction, may have seen someone who needed support. Lisa, at her lowest, may have seen him as someone who could help her get back on her feet.

Robert Joseph Gilliam and Lisa’s Marriage

After meeting in 2012, Robert and Lisa’s relationship moved quickly. They got married in October 2012. Their wedding was private, and only a few people attended.

At the time, Robert was 61 years old, and Lisa was 42. The age gap did not seem to matter to them. What mattered was that they believed they could build a life together.

But their marriage was not easy. Soon after getting married, their relationship became filled with problems. The same struggles that brought them together — like fighting addiction — started to create distance between them.

Why Their Marriage Faced Trouble

The marriage between Robert and Lisa faced many challenges from the start. Both of them had issues with drugs and alcohol. What brought them together also became something that pulled them apart.

Reports say that their relationship included many arguments. There were even times when the police had to get involved. In November 2012, just a month after they got married, both Robert and Lisa were arrested for assault after a fight at their home.

Their home life became more and more troubled. Robert later said in interviews that he gave Lisa an ultimatum — either she would get help and go to rehab, or he would leave the marriage. But things kept getting worse instead of better.

How Did the Divorce Happen?

As time went on, the marriage between Robert Joseph Gilliam and Lisa Robin Kelly became more and more difficult. The fights became worse, and their home life was filled with tension. Both struggled with addiction, and this made things even harder.

In July 2013, less than a year after they got married, Lisa decided to file for divorce. She said their problems were too big to fix. Reports say one of their worst fights started because Robert asked Lisa to give him all her money. When she refused, she said he became violent. A neighbor ended up calling the police, and Robert was arrested.

Lisa also got a restraining order to keep him away from her. Even though she started the divorce process, it was not finished by the time of her death. So legally, Robert remained her husband until the end.

Lisa Robin Kelly’s Tragic Death

Lisa’s life came to a sad end just a month after filing for divorce. In August 2013, she passed away in her sleep at a rehab center in California. She was only 43 years old.

The cause of death was reported as multiple drug intoxication. It was a heartbreaking moment for her fans and those who knew her. Lisa had checked herself into rehab, trying to turn her life around. But sadly, her body could not handle the damage caused by years of addiction.

Robert later said that Lisa had called him many times before she died. He claimed she was asking for help to leave her new boyfriend. He said he was trying to arrange for her to move to a rehab center closer to where he lived in North Carolina.

Robert Joseph Gilliam’s Lawsuit

After Lisa’s death, Robert Joseph Gilliam took legal action. He filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the rehab center where Lisa died. The center was called Pax House.

Robert claimed that the staff at the rehab were not trained well enough to care for someone like Lisa. He believed that their mistakes led to her death. The lawsuit also named the owners of the rehab center.

The case lasted about three years. In the end, it was settled out of court. No one knows how much money was involved because the details of the settlement were kept private.

Where Is Robert Joseph Gilliam Now?

Since Lisa’s death and the lawsuit, Robert Joseph Gilliam has stayed out of the public eye. He is now 74 years old. There have been no reports about where he lives or what he is doing today.

Robert chose to return to the quiet life he had before he met Lisa. He has not spoken much to the media since everything happened. It seems he prefers to stay private and away from attention.

His story remains linked to Lisa’s memory. Many people still wonder about him, but he has kept his life hidden from the spotlight.

What We Can Learn from Their Story

The story of Robert Joseph Gilliam and Lisa Robin Kelly teaches us about the struggles people face with addiction. It shows how hard it can be for couples to stay together when both people are dealing with big personal problems.

It also reminds us how important it is to get the right help at the right time. Even though Robert worked as a drug counselor, he and Lisa could not overcome the challenges they faced together.

Their story, while sad, helps us see why kindness, support, and proper care matter so much for people who are struggling.

Final Thoughts

Robert Joseph Gilliam’s life will always be remembered because of his connection to Lisa Robin Kelly. Their short marriage and the sad ending of Lisa’s life are a reminder of how hard addiction can be on people and relationships.

Today, Robert lives quietly, far away from the media. His part in Lisa’s life will always be part of her story. And her story will always remind us of the need for compassion and understanding in tough times.

(FAQs)

Who was Lisa Robin Kelly’s husband?

Lisa Robin Kelly’s husband was Robert Joseph Gilliam. Their marriage lasted less than a year and was filled with shocking fights, arrests, and serious addiction struggles.

Did Lisa Robin Kelly have children?

No, Lisa Robin Kelly did not have children with Robert Joseph Gilliam. In fact, reports say she sadly lost a baby before they met, which deeply affected her life.

What is Robert Joseph Gilliam’s net worth?

Robert Joseph Gilliam’s net worth is unknown. Even after his lawsuit over Lisa’s death, the settlement amount was kept secret, leaving people guessing about his true wealth.

Where is Robert Joseph Gilliam today?

Nobody knows exactly where Robert Joseph Gilliam is today. Since Lisa’s death, he has completely disappeared from the public eye, living a very private life.

Did Robert Joseph Gilliam ever remarry?

There is no record of Robert Joseph Gilliam remarrying after Lisa Robin Kelly’s death. He chose to stay out of the spotlight, and no new relationships have been reported.