By VARIETY STAFF
Actor Paul Marco, best known as Kelton the Cop in several films
directed by the cult director Edward D. Wood, Jr. died May 14 in
Hollywood. He was believed to have been around 80.
Born in Los Angeles, Marco began his performing career as one of the
Meglin Kiddies, a troupe of young performers whose alumni included
Shirley Temple, Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney.
He graduated from Hollywood High School, served in the Navy during WWII
and worked in little theater before his first film appearance in 1944's
"Sweet And Lowdown."
His long working relationship with Wood started with Bela Lugosi
starrer "Bride Of The Monster" in 1956. Marco went on to appear as
Kelton in "Plan 9 From Outer Space" and "Night Of The Ghouls."
In addition to his acting roles, he became a property master at
Paramount StudiosParamount Studios, on shows such as "One Day at a
Time" and many commercials.
When Ed Wood's films became popular again in the 1980s, Marco began
appearing at autograph conventions and in films, and portrayed by actor
Max Casella in Tim BurtonTim Burton's "Ed Wood." He recently reprised
the Kelton character for the upcoming DVD "Kelton's Dark Corner."