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William Joseph Patrick O'Brien (November 11, 1899 – October 15, 1983) was an American film actor with more than 100 screen credits. Of Irish descent, he often played Irish and Irish-American characters and was referred to as "Hollywood's Irishman in Residence" in the press. One of the best-known screen actors of the 1930s and 1940s, he played priests, cops, military figures, pilots, and reporters. He is especially well-remembered for his roles in '' Knute Rockne, All American'' (1940), '' Angels with Dirty Faces'' (1938), and ''
Some Like It Hot ''Some Like It Hot'' is a 1959 American crime comedy film directed, produced and co-written by Billy Wilder. It stars Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon, with George Raft, Pat O'Brien, Joe E. Brown, Joan Shawlee, Grace Lee Whitne ...
'' (1959). He was frequently paired onscreen with
Hollywood Hollywood usually refers to: * Hollywood, Los Angeles, a neighborhood in California * Hollywood, a metonym for the cinema of the United States Hollywood may also refer to: Places United States * Hollywood District (disambiguation) * Hollywoo ...
star
James Cagney James Francis Cagney Jr. (; July 17, 1899March 30, 1986) was an American actor, dancer and film director. On stage and in film, Cagney was known for his consistently energetic performances, distinctive vocal style, and deadpan comic timing. He ...
. O'Brien also appeared on stage and television.


Early life

O'Brien was born in 1899 to an Irish-American
Catholic The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...
family in
Milwaukee, Wisconsin Milwaukee ( ), officially the City of Milwaukee, is both the most populous and most densely populated city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Milwaukee County. With a population of 577,222 at the 2020 census, Milwaukee i ...
. All four of his grandparents had come from Ireland. The O'Briens were originally from
County Cork County Cork ( ga, Contae Chorcaí) is the largest and the southernmost county of Ireland, named after the city of Cork, the state's second-largest city. It is in the province of Munster and the Southern Region. Its largest market towns a ...
. His grandfather, Patrick O'Brien, for whom he was named, was an architect who was killed while trying to break up a saloon fight in New York City. His mother's parents, the McGoverns, emigrated from
County Galway "Righteousness and Justice" , anthem = () , image_map = Island of Ireland location map Galway.svg , map_caption = Location in Ireland , area_footnotes = , area_total_km2 = ...
in the west of Ireland in the mid- to late-19th century. As a child, O'Brien served as an altar boy at Gesu Church, while growing up near 13th and Kilborn Streets in Milwaukee. He attended Marquette Academy with fellow actor
Spencer Tracy Spencer Bonaventure Tracy (April 5, 1900 – June 10, 1967) was an American actor. He was known for his natural performing style and versatility. One of the major stars of Hollywood's Golden Age, Tracy was the first actor to win two cons ...
, who was a lifelong friend. During
World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was List of wars and anthropogenic disasters by death toll, one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, ...
, O'Brien and Tracy joined the
United States Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...
. They both attended boot camp at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center, but they never went to sea. The war ended before their training had finished.
Jack Benny Jack Benny (born Benjamin Kubelsky, February 14, 1894 – December 26, 1974) was an American entertainer who evolved from a modest success playing violin on the vaudeville circuit to one of the leading entertainers of the twentieth century wit ...
was also at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center at the same time as O'Brien and Tracy. According to his autobiography, Benny performed a number on the violin at a show one evening, when the sailors started booing and heckling him. O'Brien walked on stage and whispered in his ear, "For heaven's sake, Ben, put down the damn fiddle and talk to 'em." Benny stopped playing his violin and made a series of comments that got laughs from the audience. In this way, O'Brien indirectly helped to start Benny's career in comedy. After the war, O'Brien finished his secondary schooling at Marquette Academy and later attended
Marquette University Marquette University () is a private Jesuit research university in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Established by the Society of Jesus as Marquette College on August 28, 1881, it was founded by John Martin Henni, the first Bishop of the diocese of ...
. While still at college, he decided to seek work as an actor. He and Spencer Tracy moved to New York, where they both attended the
American Academy of Dramatic Arts The American Academy of Dramatic Arts (AADA) is a private performing arts conservatory with two locations, one in Manhattan and one in Los Angeles. The academy offers an associate degree in occupational studies and teaches drama and related art ...
. The two struggling young actors shared a small studio apartment, and began their careers on the stage.


Early career

O'Brien spent a decade in plays on Broadway and in the New York City area. O'Brien made his film debut in the Vitaphone Varieties short film, ''The Nightingale'', produced in New York and released in August 1930. His first starring role was as ace reporter Hildy Johnson in the original 1931 version of '' The Front Page'' with Adolphe Menjou. In 2010, this film was selected by the National Film Preservation Board for preservation in the
Library of Congress The Library of Congress (LOC) is the research library that officially serves the United States Congress and is the ''de facto'' national library of the United States. It is the oldest federal cultural institution in the country. The libra ...
's
National Film Registry The National Film Registry (NFR) is the United States National Film Preservation Board's (NFPB) collection of films selected for preservation, each selected for its historical, cultural and aesthetic contributions since the NFPB’s inception ...
as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant." He was the lead in Paramount's '' Personal Maid'' (1931), and appeared in a
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., also known as Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures and abbreviated as MGM, is an American film, television production, distribution and media company owned by amazon (company), Amazon through MGM Holdings, founded o ...
musical '' Flying High'' (1931), supporting Bert Lahr. He was Irene Dunne's love interest in RKO's ''
Consolation Marriage ''Consolation Marriage'' is a 1931 American Pre-Code drama film directed by Paul Sloane and written by Humphrey Pearson. The film stars Irene Dunne, Pat O'Brien, John Halliday, Myrna Loy, and Matt Moore. The film was released on November ...
'' (1932), then co-starred opposite a young
Bette Davis Ruth Elizabeth "Bette" Davis (; April 5, 1908 – October 6, 1989) was an American actress with a career spanning more than 50 years and 100 acting credits. She was noted for playing unsympathetic, sardonic characters, and was famous for her p ...
in '' Hell's House'' (1932). O'Brien stayed in leads, going from studio to studio: ''
Scandal for Sale ''Scandal for Sale'' is a 1932 American pre-Code drama film directed by Russell Mack and starring Charles Bickford, Rose Hobart and Pat O'Brien.Schindler p.25 The film's sets were designed by the art director Charles D. Hall. Cast * Charles B ...
'' (1932), at Universal; '' The Strange Case of Clara Deane'' (1932), at Paramount; '' Hollywood Speaks'' (1932), '' American Madness'' (1932) and ''
Virtue Virtue ( la, virtus) is morality, moral excellence. A virtue is a trait or quality that is deemed to be morally good and thus is Value (ethics), valued as a foundation of principle and good moral being. In other words, it is a behavior that sh ...
'' (1932). O'Brien played a heroic pilot in Universal's ''
Air Mail Airmail (or air mail) is a mail transport service branded and sold on the basis of at least one leg of its journey being by air. Airmail items typically arrive more quickly than surface mail, and usually cost more to send. Airmail may be th ...
'' (1932), directed by
John Ford John Martin Feeney (February 1, 1894 – August 31, 1973), known professionally as John Ford, was an American film director and naval officer. He is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential filmmakers of his generation. He ...
. While at that studio he was in the compelling ''
Laughter in Hell ''Laughter in Hell'' is a 1933 American Pre-Code drama film directed by Edward L. Cahn and starring Pat O'Brien. The film's title was typical of the sensationalistic titles of many Pre-Code films. Adapted from the 1932 novel of the same name by ...
'' (1932) and '' Destination Unknown'' (1933). At the small
Majestic Pictures Majestic Pictures was an American film production and distribution company active during the 1930s. Under the control of Larry Darmour the company specialized in low-budget production, and was one of the more stable Poverty Row outfits during the p ...
he starred in ''
The World Gone Mad ''The World Gone Mad'' (also released as ''The Public Be Hanged'') is a 1933 American pre-Code crime film directed by Christy Cabanne and starring Pat O'Brien, Evelyn Brent and Neil Hamilton. It was made on a low-budget by the independent ...
'' (1933).


Warner Bros

O'Brien's first Warner Bros. movie was '' Bureau of Missing Persons'' (1933), starring Bette Davis. He went to RKO for '' Flaming Gold'' (1933) and MGM for '' Bombshell'' (1933), then Warners signed O'Brien to a long-term contract. He would remain with the studio until 1940, when he left after a dispute over the terms of his contract renewal.O'Brien, pp. 260–261. O'Brien supported
Dick Powell Richard Ewing Powell (November 14, 1904 – January 2, 1963) was an American actor, musician, producer, director, and studio head. Though he came to stardom as a musical comedy performer, he showed versatility, and successfully transformed into ...
in '' College Coach'' (1933) and Joan Blondell in '' I've Got Your Number'' (1934). He was third lead to Barbra Stanwyck and Joel McCrea in ''
Gambling Lady ''Gambling Lady'' is a 1934 American pre-Code romantic drama film directed by Archie Mayo, and starring Barbara Stanwyck, Joel McCrea and Pat O'Brien. Plot Mike Lee raises his daughter Lady Lee to be as honest a gambler as he is. When he gets t ...
'' (1934), then was with Powell again in ''
Twenty Million Sweethearts ''Twenty Million Sweethearts'' is a 1934 American Pre-Code musical comedy film directed by Ray Enright and starring Pat O'Brien, Dick Powell, Ginger Rogers, and The Mills Brothers. The film was remade in 1949 as '' My Dream Is Yours''. Plot Ag ...
'' (1934). '' Here Comes the Navy'' (1934) was O'Brien's first film with
James Cagney James Francis Cagney Jr. (; July 17, 1899March 30, 1986) was an American actor, dancer and film director. On stage and in film, Cagney was known for his consistently energetic performances, distinctive vocal style, and deadpan comic timing. He ...
, also under contract to Warners. The two originally met in 1926 and remained friends for almost six decades. After O'Brien's death, Cagney referred to him as his "dearest friend." O'Brien played the lead, a boxer, in ''
The Personality Kid ''The Personality Kid'' is a 1934 American drama film directed by Alan Crosland, starring Pat O'Brien and Glenda Farrell. The film was based on a story by Gene Towne and C. Graham Baker. It was released by Warner Bros. on July 7, 1934. A young ...
'' (1934), supported Powell in ''
Flirtation Walk ''Flirtation Walk'' is a 1934 American romantic musical film written by Delmer Daves and Lou Edelman, and directed by Frank Borzage. It focuses on a soldier (Dick Powell) who falls in love with a general's daughter (Ruby Keeler) during the gene ...
'' (1934) and was an auctioneer in '' I Sell Anything'' (1935). Cagney and O'Brien were reteamed in '' Devil Dogs of the Air'' (1935). He was a critic in love with
Dolores del Río María de los Dolores Asúnsolo y López Negrete (3 August 1904 – 11 April 1983), known professionally as Dolores del Río (), was a Mexican actress. With a career spanning more than 50 years, she is regarded as the first major female Latin Am ...
in '' In Caliente'' (1935) and had the lead in the bio-pic '' Oil for the Lamps of China'' (1935), which he called "one of my favorite pictures." "That was a sweetheart," he said. He and Cagney were in '' The Irish in Us'' (1935) then it was back to supporting Powell in '' Page Miss Glory'' (1935). He headlined a musical '' Stars Over Broadway'' (1935) then was back with Cagney for
Howard Hawks Howard Winchester Hawks (May 30, 1896December 26, 1977) was an American film director, producer and screenwriter of the classic Hollywood era. Critic Leonard Maltin called him "the greatest American director who is not a household name." A ...
' '' Ceiling Zero'' (1935). Cagney later sued Warners for billing O'Brien's name above his. "Jimmy's grand to work with," said O'Brien in 1935. "You couldn't ask for a better partner but there's a limit to all that. I think one picture a year with Jimmy would be fine. But as it is I've been with him in every uniform – the army, the navy, the police, the marines, the air corps – and it's always a case of me falling for his girl or him falling for mine. It gets tiresome... I don't just want to be a fast-talking Charlie all my life."F. S.
Sentimental Irishman
. ''The New York Times'', December 1, 1935.
Warners gave him some starring parts: ''
I Married a Doctor ''I Married a Doctor'' is a 1936 American drama film directed by Archie Mayo and written by Casey Robinson. It is an adaptation of Sinclair Lewis’s novel Main Street. The film stars Pat O'Brien, Josephine Hutchinson, Ross Alexander, Guy Kib ...
'' (1936), ''
Public Enemy's Wife ''Public Enemy's Wife'' is a 1936 American crime film directed by Nick Grinde and written by Abem Finkel and Harold Buckley. The film stars Pat O'Brien, Margaret Lindsay, Robert Armstrong, Cesar Romero, Dick Foran and Joe King. The film was ...
'' (1936), '' China Clipper'' (1936), ''
The Great O'Malley ''The Great O'Malley'' is a 1937 crime film directed by William Dieterle and starring Pat O'Brien, Sybil Jason, Humphrey Bogart, and Ann Sheridan. The 1925 silent version '' The Making of O'Malley'' starred Milton Sills, Dorothy Mackaill and ...
'' (1937), and '' Slim'' (1937) with Henry Fonda. He was Captain of the Guard (on special leave from the US Army) in ''
San Quentin San Quentin State Prison (SQ) is a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation state prison for men, located north of San Francisco in the unincorporated place of San Quentin in Marin County. Opened in July 1852, San Quentin is th ...
'' (1937) opposite
Humphrey Bogart Humphrey DeForest Bogart (; December 25, 1899 – January 14, 1957), nicknamed Bogie, was an American film and stage actor. His performances in Classical Hollywood cinema films made him an American cultural icon. In 1999, the American Film In ...
, romanced Blondell in ''
Back in Circulation ''Back in Circulation'' is a 1937 American film directed by Ray Enright and starring Pat O'Brien and Joan Blondell. Based on the short story "Angle Shooter" by Adela Rogers St. Johns, Blondell plays a fast-moving newspaper reporter who senses ...
'' (1937) and was an veteran sailor in ''
Submarine D-1 ''Submarine D-1'' is a 1937 drama directed by Lloyd Bacon and starring Pat O'Brien, George Brent and Wayne Morris.. The film was produced by Cosmopolitan Productions and released by Warner Bros. Plot Butch Rogers and Sock McGillis are old submari ...
'' (1938). O'Brien was pulled out of ''
Swing Your Lady ''Swing Your Lady'' is a 1938 country musical comedy film directed by Ray Enright, starring Humphrey Bogart, Frank McHugh, and Louise Fazenda. Ronald Reagan is also in the cast in one of his early roles. Daniel Boone Savage, a professional wres ...
'' to co-star with Kay Francis in ''
Women Are Like That ''Women Are Like That'' is a 1938 American drama film directed by Stanley Logan and written by Horace Jackson. The film stars Kay Francis, Pat O'Brien, Ralph Forbes, Melville Cooper, Thurston Hall and Grant Mitchell. The film was released by ...
'' (1938) and was back with Powell for '' Cowboy from Brooklyn'' (1938). He and Cagney reteamed for '' Boy Meets Girl'' (1938), and he was meant to be back with Powell in '' Garden of the Moon'' (1938), but Powell refused to do it – he was replaced by John Payne. O'Brien has one of his best ever roles as the former street kid turned priest in '' Angels with Dirty Faces'' (1938) with Cagney. He was with Blondell in '' Off the Record'' (1939) and ''
The Kid from Kokomo ''The Kid from Kokomo'' is a 1939 American comedy film directed by Lewis Seiler and written by Richard Macaulay and Jerry Wald. The film stars Pat O'Brien, Wayne Morris, Joan Blondell, May Robson, Jane Wyman and Stanley Fields. The film was re ...
'' (1939), and co-starred with
Gale Page Gale Page (born Sally Perkins Rutter July 29, 1910 – January 8, 1983) was an American singer and actress. Early life Page was the daughter of R.L. and Isabel (Gale) Rutter of Spokane. Her aunt and uncle were Elizabeth Gale Page and Mil ...
in '' Indianapolis Speedway'' (1939). He went over to Paramount for '' The Night of Nights'' (1939), part of a deal in which Warners bought the rights to '' The Old Maid'' from Paramount. He then made ''
Slightly Honorable ''Slightly Honorable'' is a 1939 American film directed by Tay Garnett. The film was based on the 1939 novel ''Send Another Coffin'' by Frank Gilmore Presnell, Jr. (1906–1967).Frank Gilmore Presnell, Jr. (24 June 1906 (Torreon, Coahuila, Mexico ...
'' (1939) for United Artists. Back at Warner Bros he was reunited with Cagney for ''
The Fighting 69th ''The Fighting 69th'' is a 1940 American war film starring James Cagney, Pat O'Brien, and George Brent. The plot is based upon the actual exploits of New York City's 69th Infantry Regiment during World War I. The regiment was given that ni ...
'' (1940) then made ''
Castle on the Hudson ''Castle on the Hudson'' (UK title: ''Years Without Days'') is a 1940 American film noir drama directed by Anatole Litvak and starring John Garfield, Ann Sheridan, and Pat O'Brien. A thief is sent to Sing Sing Prison, where he is befriended by th ...
'' (1940) with Sheridan and
John Garfield John Garfield (born Jacob Julius Garfinkle, March 4, 1913 – May 21, 1952) was an American actor who played brooding, rebellious, working-class characters. He grew up in poverty in New York City. In the early 1930s, he became a member of ...
. He was a cop in ''
'Til We Meet Again ''Til We Meet Again'' is a 1940 romance film directed by Edmund Goulding and Anatole Litvak and starring Merle Oberon and George Brent as two doomed, star-crossed lovers. It is a remake of the 1932 film ''One Way Passage'' and itself was remade i ...
'' (1940), with Cagney and Sheridan in '' Torrid Zone'' (1940). He co-starred with Garfield and
Frances Farmer Frances Elena Farmer (September 19, 1913August 1, 1970) was an American actress and television hostess. She appeared in over a dozen feature films over the course of her career, though she garnered notoriety for sensationalized accounts of her l ...
in '' Flowing Gold'' (1940). O'Brien was then given his best known role, as the famous
University of Notre Dame The University of Notre Dame du Lac, known simply as Notre Dame ( ) or ND, is a private Catholic research university in Notre Dame, Indiana, outside the city of South Bend. French priest Edward Sorin founded the school in 1842. The main c ...
football coach
Knute Rockne Knut ( Norwegian and Swedish), Knud ( Danish), or Knútur (Icelandic) is a Scandinavian, German, and Dutch first name, of which the anglicised form is Canute. In Germany both "Knut" and "Knud" are used. In Spanish and Portuguese Canuto is used ...
in '' Knute Rockne, All American'' (1940). In the film, he gave the speech to "win just one for the Gipper," referring to recently deceased football player, George Gipp, portrayed in the film by a young
Ronald Reagan Ronald Wilson Reagan ( ; February 6, 1911June 5, 2004) was an American politician, actor, and union leader who served as the 40th president of the United States from 1981 to 1989. He also served as the 33rd governor of California from 1967 ...
. Reagan later used this saying as a slogan for his campaign for president in 1980. O'Brien was at a career peak. He was considered for the role of Alvin York in the film ''
Sergeant York Alvin Cullum York (December 13, 1887 – September 2, 1964), also known as Sergeant York, was one of the most decorated United States Army soldiers of World War I. He received the Medal of Honor for leading an attack on a German machi ...
''. From this high point, however, O'Brien left Warner Bros in July 1940.


Leaving Warner Bros

After he left Warner Bros. in 1940, O'Brien signed a contract with
20th Century Fox 20th Century Studios, Inc. (previously known as 20th Century Fox) is an American film production company headquartered at the Fox Studio Lot in the Century City area of Los Angeles. As of 2019, it serves as a film production arm of Walt Disn ...
for two films a year. However they ended up not using him. He signed with
Columbia Pictures Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. is an American film production studio that is a member of the Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group, a division of Sony Pictures Entertainment, which is one of the Big Five studios and a subsidiary of the mu ...
to make two films a year. He was in '' Escape to Glory'' (1940), then was idle for a year before making ''
Two Yanks in Trinidad ''Two Yanks in Trinidad'' is a 1942 American comedy spy film directed by Gregory Ratoff and starring Pat O'Brien, Brian Donlevy and Janet Blair. The film was in production when Pearl Harbor was attacked by the Japanese, leading to America's en ...
'' (1942) with
Brian Donlevy Waldo Brian Donlevy (February 9, 1901 – April 6, 1972) was an American actor, noted for playing dangerous tough guys from the 1930s to the 1960s. He usually appeared in supporting roles. Among his best-known films are ''Beau Geste'' (193 ...
and ''
Flight Lieutenant Flight lieutenant is a junior Officer (armed forces)#Commissioned officers, commissioned rank in air forces that use the Royal Air Force (RAF) RAF officer ranks, system of ranks, especially in Commonwealth of Nations, Commonwealth countries. I ...
'' (1942) with Glenn Ford. At Universal he was in '' Broadway'' (1942) with
George Raft George Raft (born George Ranft; September 26, 1901 – November 24, 1980) was an American film actor and dancer identified with portrayals of gangsters in crime melodramas of the 1930s and 1940s. A stylish leading man in dozens of movies, Raft is ...
.


RKO

Soon he signed a contract with RKO and appeared in several movies for that studio. He mostly played authority/military roles such as '' The Navy Comes Through'' (1942), and '' Bombardier'' (1943). ''
The Iron Major ''The Iron Major'' is a 1943 American biographical film about the famed college football coach and World War I hero, Frank Cavanaugh. Directed by Ray Enright, the screenplay was written by Aben Kandel and Warren Duff, based on Florence E. Cavan ...
'' (1943) was an attempt to repeat the success of ''Knute Rockne'' with O'Brien as Frank Cavanaugh. At Universal he supported Deanna Durbin in
Frank Borzage Frank Borzage (; April 23, 1894 – June 19, 1962) was an Academy Award-winning American film director and actor, known for directing '' 7th Heaven'' (1927), '' Street Angel'' (1928), '' Bad Girl'' (1931), ''A Farewell to Arms'' (1932), '' Man's ...
's '' His Butler's Sister'' (1943) then it was back to RKO for ''
Marine Raiders The Marine Raiders are special operations forces originally established by the United States Marine Corps during World War II to conduct amphibious light infantry warfare. " Edson's" Raiders of 1st Marine Raider Battalion and " Carlson's" Rai ...
'' (1944). With his agent Phil Ryan, O'Brien set up his own production company, Teneen Productions. They signed a deal with Columbia to make a film with O'Brien, '' Secret Command'' (1944). (In 1955 the IRS would sue him for earnings on this film.) At RKO he did '' Having Wonderful Crime'' (1946) and '' Man Alive'' (1945). For Columbia he made '' Perilous Holiday'' (1946). In 1946 he starred in the successful
film noir Film noir (; ) is a cinematic term used primarily to describe stylish Hollywood crime dramas, particularly those that emphasize cynical attitudes and motivations. The 1940s and 1950s are generally regarded as the "classic period" of American '' ...
suspense film, '' Crack-Up''. He was in a thriller, '' Riffraff'' (1947) and another biopic ''
Fighting Father Dunne ''Fighting Father Dunne'' is a 1948 American biographical film about the life of Father Peter Dunne, and the creation of his News Boys Home in St. Louis, Missouri. Directed by Ted Tetzlaff, the screenplay was written by Martin Rackin and Frank ...
'' (1948). He followed it with ''
The Boy with Green Hair ''The Boy with Green Hair'' is a 1948 American fantasy-drama film in Technicolor directed by Joseph Losey in his feature film directorial debut. It stars Dean Stockwell as Peter, a young war orphan who is subject to ridicule after his hair myste ...
'' (1948), and '' A Dangerous Profession'' (1949) with Raft. While working as a Hollywood contract player, O'Brien made occasional appearances on the radio in the 1930s and 1940s. In the summer of 1947, he starred with
Lynn Bari Lynn Bari (born Marjorie Schuyler Fisher, December 18, 1919 – November 20, 1989) was a film actress who specialized in playing sultry, statuesque man-killers in roughly 150 films for 20th Century Fox, from the early 1930s through the 1940s. ...
in ''Summer Theater'', a program "dramatizing episodes in the life of a small town druggist."


Later career

O'Brien's movie career slowed considerably by the early 1950s, although he still managed to get work in television. In his autobiography, ''The Wind at My Back'', he professed to being completely flummoxed about the decline of his career. His close friend, Spencer Tracy, fought with his studio, MGM, to get roles for O'Brien in his films ''
The People Against O'Hara ''The People Against O'Hara'' is a 1951 American crime film noir directed by John Sturges and based on Eleazar Lipsky's novel. The film features Spencer Tracy, Pat O'Brien, John Hodiak, and James Arness. Plot James Curtayne ( Tracy) was once a ...
'' (1951) and '' The Last Hurrah'' (1958). He still had leads in films like ''
Okinawa is a Prefectures of Japan, prefecture of Japan. Okinawa Prefecture is the southernmost and westernmost prefecture of Japan, has a population of 1,457,162 (as of 2 February 2020) and a geographic area of 2,281 Square kilometre, km2 (880 sq mi). ...
'' (1952), ''
Inside Detroit ''Inside Detroit'' is a 1956 American film noir crime film directed by Fred F. Sears and starring Dennis O'Keefe, Pat O'Brien and Tina Carver. ''Inside Detroit'' is centered on corruption within the United Auto Workers union and is loosely ad ...
'' (1956) and '' Kill Me Tomorrow'' (1957). In 1959 O'Brien appeared in a supporting role in one of his best-known movies as a police detective opposite
George Raft George Raft (born George Ranft; September 26, 1901 – November 24, 1980) was an American film actor and dancer identified with portrayals of gangsters in crime melodramas of the 1930s and 1940s. A stylish leading man in dozens of movies, Raft is ...
in ''Some Like It Hot'', starring
Marilyn Monroe Marilyn Monroe (; born Norma Jeane Mortenson; 1 June 1926 4 August 1962) was an American actress. Famous for playing comedic " blonde bombshell" characters, she became one of the most popular sex symbols of the 1950s and early 1960s, as wel ...
,
Jack Lemmon John Uhler Lemmon III (February 8, 1925 – June 27, 2001) was an American actor. Considered equally proficient in both dramatic and comic roles, Lemmon was known for his anxious, middle-class everyman screen persona in dramedy pictures, leadi ...
, and Tony Curtis. In his later years, O'Brien often worked in television. He was cast in 1956 and 1957 in four episodes of the religion
anthology series An anthology series is a radio, television, video game or film series that spans different genres and presents a different story and a different set of characters in each different episode, season, segment, or short. These usually have a dif ...
, ''
Crossroads Crossroads, crossroad, cross road or similar may refer to: * Crossroads (junction), where four roads meet Film and television Films * ''Crossroads'' (1928 film), a 1928 Japanese film by Teinosuke Kinugasa * ''Cross Roads'' (film), a 1930 Brit ...
''. In three of the four programs, he played priests. He also performed in two episodes of '' The Virginian'' in the mid-1960s. In the 1960–1961 television season, O'Brien played James Harrigan, Sr. in a
sitcom A sitcom, a portmanteau of situation comedy, or situational comedy, is a genre of comedy centered on a fixed set of characters who mostly carry over from episode to episode. Sitcoms can be contrasted with sketch comedy, where a troupe may use ...
titled '' Harrigan and Son''. O'Brien made numerous appearances on television as himself, including several on ''
The Ed Sullivan Show ''The Ed Sullivan Show'' is an American television program, television variety show that ran on CBS from June 20, 1948, to March 28, 1971, and was hosted by New York City, New York entertainment columnist Ed Sullivan. It was replaced in Septembe ...
''. In 1957, he guest starred in the first season of the NBC variety program, ''
The Ford Show, Starring Tennessee Ernie Ford ''The Ford Show'' (also known as ''The Ford Show, Starring Tennessee Ernie Ford'' and ''The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show'') is an American variety program, starring singer and folk humorist Tennessee Ernie Ford, which aired on NBC on Thursday eveni ...
''. Other shows in which he appeared as himself include the interview programs: ''
The David Frost Show Sir David Paradine Frost (7 April 1939 – 31 August 2013) was a British television host, journalist, comedian and writer. He rose to prominence during the satire boom in the United Kingdom when he was chosen to host the satirical programme ' ...
'', '' The Tonight Show'', '' The Merv Griffin Show'', and '' The Joey Bishop Show''. In 1957, Ralph Edwards profiled O'Brien's life and career for an episode of ''
This Is Your Life This Is Your Life may refer to: Television * ''This Is Your Life'' (American franchise), an American radio and television documentary biography series hosted by Ralph Edwards * ''This Is Your Life'' (Australian TV series), the Australian versio ...
''. He was also the mystery guest on the game show '' What's My Line?'' in 1953 and 1957. In the "Jennifer and the Will" episode of ''
WKRP in Cincinnati ''WKRP in Cincinnati'' is an American sitcom television series about the misadventures of the staff of a struggling fictional radio station in Cincinnati, Ohio. The show was created by Hugh Wilson and was based upon his experiences working ...
'', he has a memorably comic turn as Jennifer Marlowe's elderly boyfriend. Shortly thereafter, O'Brien's final filmed performance came in a 1982 episode of '' Happy Days''. O'Brien spoke the Star Spangled Banner to the accompaniment of Doc Severinsen on trumpet for the National Anthem opening of
Super Bowl IV Super Bowl IV was an American football game played on January 11, 1970 at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana. It was the fourth and final AFL–NFL World Championship Game in professional football prior to the AFL–NFL merger taking e ...
in 1970. He was invited to do this because of his role as Knute Rockne. He had a small role as
Burt Reynolds Burton Leon Reynolds Jr. (February 11, 1936 – September 6, 2018) was an American actor, considered a sex symbol and icon of 1970s American popular culture. Reynolds first rose to prominence when he starred in television series such as ' ...
' father in the 1978 comedy film '' The End'', opposite Myrna Loy, cast as Reynolds' mother. In later years, O'Brien recalled that he had had three "great" movie roles in his career: Knute Rockne, Hildy Johnson in ''The Front Page'', and Father Duffy in ''
The Fighting 69th ''The Fighting 69th'' is a 1940 American war film starring James Cagney, Pat O'Brien, and George Brent. The plot is based upon the actual exploits of New York City's 69th Infantry Regiment during World War I. The regiment was given that ni ...
''. From the 1960s through the early 1980s, O'Brien often traveled around the United States as a one-man act and in road shows. He also performed frequently in nightclubs. Near the end of his life, he toured in a stage production of '' On Golden Pond'', which he considered "absolutely the best play" he had ever read.


"Irish Mafia"

In the late 1930s, O'Brien and a small group of his actor friends began to meet to converse and exchange opinions and stories. Hollywood columnist Sidney Skolsky dubbed them the "Irish Mafia," but they preferred to call their social group the "Boys Club." In addition to O'Brien, the original members of the club were James Cagney, Spencer Tracy,
Allen Jenkins Allen Curtis Jenkins (born Alfred McGonegal; April 9, 1900 – July 20, 1974) was an American character actor and singer who worked on stage, film, and television. Life and career Jenkins was born on Staten Island, New York, on April 9, 1900. ...
and Frank McHugh, all of whom were Irish-Americans. Later Lynne Overman joined their group and then George Brent, James Dunn, Louis Calhern,
William Gargan William Dennis Gargan (July 17, 1905February 17, 1979) was an American film, television and radio actor. He was the 5th recipient of the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award in 1967, and in 1941, was nominated for the Academy Award for Be ...
, Paul Kelly, Regis Toomey,
Brian Donlevy Waldo Brian Donlevy (February 9, 1901 – April 6, 1972) was an American actor, noted for playing dangerous tough guys from the 1930s to the 1960s. He usually appeared in supporting roles. Among his best-known films are ''Beau Geste'' (193 ...
, Ralph Bellamy, Lloyd Nolan and Frank Morgan. James Gleason and Bert Lahr were also frequent guests. The actors gathered to socialize, but they also occasionally used the group to discuss ideas about their latest movies. By the mid-1940s the group began to break up, as members either moved or died. Some of the surviving members kept in contact by telephone and occasional meetings.


Personal life

O'Brien and his wife, Eloise, had four children: Mavourneen, Sean, Terry, and Brigid. Three of his children were adopted. The youngest, Brigid O'Brien (born 1946), was his biological child. Eloise O'Brien occasionally appeared on stage with her husband. Among those who knew him personally, O'Brien was known for his love of storytelling, jokes, and late-night parties.
Bob Hope Leslie Townes "Bob" Hope (May 29, 1903 – July 27, 2003) was a British-American comedian, vaudevillian, actor, singer and dancer. With a career that spanned nearly 80 years, Hope appeared in more than 70 short and feature films, with ...
specifically remembered him as a raconteur. Another friend recalled that he was always "the life, and I mean the lively life, of the party."McCabe, p. 223. He traveled to Vietnam as part of a US tour in February 1969. O'Brien died on October 15, 1983, from a
heart attack A myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when blood flow decreases or stops to the coronary artery of the heart, causing damage to the heart muscle. The most common symptom is chest pain or discomfort which ma ...
at age 83, following minor prostate surgery. President
Ronald Reagan Ronald Wilson Reagan ( ; February 6, 1911June 5, 2004) was an American politician, actor, and union leader who served as the 40th president of the United States from 1981 to 1989. He also served as the 33rd governor of California from 1967 ...
released a White House statement noting his sadness over his old friend's death. The president had called the actor at the hospital just days before his death.Eve Zibart.
Pat O'brien dies.
. ''The Washington Post'', October 16, 1983.


Filmography

Short Subjects: *''A Dream Comes True'' (1935) *''A Trip Thru a Hollywood Studio'' (1935) *'' Swingtime in the Movies'' (1938) *''Out Where the Stars Begin'' (1938) *''Screen Snapshots: Famous Fathers and Sons'' (1946) *''Screen Snapshots: Hollywood's Happy Homes'' (1949) *''Screen Snapshots: Motion Picture Mothers, Inc.'' (1949) *''Screen Snapshots: Hopalong in Hoppy Land'' (1951) *''Screen Snapshots: Memorial to Al Jolson'' (1952) *''Screen Snapshots: Hollywood Mothers and Fathers'' (1955) *''Screen Snapshots: Hollywood Beauty'' (1955)


Television credits

*''
Place the Face Place may refer to: Geography * Place (United States Census Bureau), defined as any concentration of population ** Census-designated place, a populated area lacking its own municipal government * "Place", a type of street or road name ** Often ...
'' ( CBS
television series A television show – or simply TV show – is any content produced for viewing on a television set which can be broadcast via over-the-air, satellite, or cable, excluding breaking news, advertisements, or trailers that are typically placed be ...
, March 11, 1954) *''
Crossroads Crossroads, crossroad, cross road or similar may refer to: * Crossroads (junction), where four roads meet Film and television Films * ''Crossroads'' (1928 film), a 1928 Japanese film by Teinosuke Kinugasa * ''Cross Roads'' (film), a 1930 Brit ...
'' (three episodes, 1955–1957) as Father Patrick O'Neil / Father Edward Sullivan / Father Jim / Father Edmund Boyle *'' Science Fiction Theatre'' (1955) (Are We Invaded?) as Dr. Arnold *'' What's My Line?'' (10/13/1957) (Episode #384) (Season 9, Ep 7) as Mystery Guest *''Joyful Hour'' (1960, TV Movie) as Host *'' Harrigan and Son'' (1960–1961) as James Harrigan Sr. *'' Going My Way'' in "The Boss of the Ward" (1963) as Frank McCaffey *'' Hazel'' (1966) as Uncle Jerome Van Meter *'' The Over-the-Hill Gang'' (1969, TV Movie) as Capt. Oren Hayes *''Welcome Home, Johnny Bristol'' (1972, TV Movie) as Sgt. McGll *''Adventures of Nick Carter'' (1972, TV Movie) as Hallelujah Harry (unsold pilot) *'' McCloud'' (1973) as Mac Ferguson *''Kiss Me, Kill Me'' (1976, TV Movie) as Jimmy, morgue attendant *''
Scout's Honor Scout Law is a set of codes in the Scout movement. Since the publication of ''Scouting for Boys'' in 1908, all Scouts and Guides around the world have taken a Scout Promise or oath to live up to ideals of the movement, and subscribed to the Sco ...
'' (1980, TV Movie) as Mr. Caboose *''
WKRP In Cincinnati ''WKRP in Cincinnati'' is an American sitcom television series about the misadventures of the staff of a struggling fictional radio station in Cincinnati, Ohio. The show was created by Hugh Wilson and was based upon his experiences working ...
'' (1981) as Col. H. Buchanan *'' Happy Days'' (1980–1982) as Uncle Joe (final appearance)


Radio appearances


Further reading

*Wise, James. ''Stars in Blue: Movie Actors in America's Sea Services''. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 1997.


References


External links

* * * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Obrien, Pat 1899 births 1983 deaths 20th-century American male actors American Academy of Dramatic Arts alumni American male comedy actors United States Navy personnel of World War I American male film actors American male radio actors American male stage actors American people of Irish descent American Roman Catholics Burials at Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City California Republicans Daytime Emmy Award winners Male actors from Milwaukee Marquette University alumni Warner Bros. contract players Columbia Pictures contract players RKO Pictures contract players Wisconsin Republicans Marquette University High School alumni