Henry O'Neill (August 10, 1891 – May 18, 1961) was an American actor known for playing gray-haired fathers, lawyers, and similarly dignified roles on film during the 1930s and 1940s.

Early life

Henry O'Neill was born in Orange, New Jersey on August 10, 1891 where he grew up before moving to

Los Angeles Los Angeles, often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, most populous city in the U.S. state of California, and the commercial, Financial District, Los Angeles, financial, and Culture of Los Angeles, ...

California California () is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States that lies on the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. It borders Oregon to the north, Nevada and Arizona to the east, and shares Mexico–United States border, an ...

Career

O'Neill began his acting career on the stage, after dropping out of college to join a traveling

theater Theatre or theater is a collaborative form of performing art that uses live performers, usually actors to present experiences of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place, often a stage. The performers may communi ...

company. He served in the Navy in

World War I World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...

, after which he worked at several jobs, including being an usher in a funeral home. Eventually, he returned to the stage. His Broadway debut came in ''The Spring'' (1921), and his final Broadway appearance was in ''Shooting Star'' (1933). He also acted with the Provincetown Players and the Celtic Players. In the early 1930s he began appearing in films, including ''

The Big Shakedown ''The Big Shakedown'' is a 1934 American pre-Code crime drama film starring Charles Farrell and Bette Davis, and directed by John Francis Dillon. The screenplay is based on the story "Cut Rate" by Niven Busch and Samuel G. Engel. The film ...

'' (1934), the Western ''

Santa Fe Trail The Santa Fe Trail was a 19th-century route through central North America that connected Franklin, Missouri, with Santa Fe, New Mexico. Pioneered in 1821 by William Becknell, who departed from the Boonslick region along the Missouri River, the ...

'' (1940), the musical '' Anchors Aweigh'' (1945), '' The Green Years'' (1946), and '' The Reckless Moment'' (1949). His last film was '' The Wings of Eagles'' (1957), starring

John Wayne Marion Robert Morrison (May 26, 1907 – June 11, 1979), known professionally as John Wayne, was an American actor. Nicknamed "Duke", he became a Pop icon, popular icon through his starring roles in films which were produced during Hollywood' ...

Personal life

He was on the board of directors of the

Screen Actors Guild The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) was an American labor union which represented over 100,000 film and television principal and background performers worldwide. On March 30, 2012, the union leadership announced that the SAG membership voted to m ...

and has a star on the

Hollywood Walk of Fame The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a landmark which consists of 2,813 five-pointed terrazzo-and-brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street in the Hollywood, Los Angeles, Hollywood dist ...

. In 1924, O'Neill married Anna Barry. They had one child and remained wed until his death. O'Neill died in Hollywood, California, at the age of 69. His remains are interred at San Fernando Mission Cemetery in North Hollywood.Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14000 Famous Persons by Scott Wilson

Selected filmography

*'' I Loved a Woman'' (1933) as Mr. Farrell *'' Ever in My Heart'' (1933) as Naturalization Judge (uncredited) *'' The Kennel Murder Case'' (1933) as Dubois, Police Fingerprint Man (uncredited) *'' From Headquarters'' (1933) as Inspector Donnelly *'' The World Changes'' (1933) as Orin Nordholm Sr. *'' Son of a Sailor'' (1933) as Naval Officer (uncredited) *''

The House on 56th Street ''The House on 56th Street'' is a 1933 American Pre-Code Hollywood, pre-Code drama film. The film's plot involves a miscarriage of justice, wrongful conviction and imprisonment, and alienation of a prisoner from her only living relative. Plot A ...

'' (1933) as Baxter, the Lawyer (uncredited) *'' Lady Killer'' (1933) as Ramick *''

'' (1934) as Mr. Sheffner *''

Massacre A massacre is an event of killing people who are not engaged in hostilities or are defenseless. It is generally used to describe a targeted killing of civilians Glossary of French words and expressions in English#En masse, en masse by an armed ...

'' (1934) as J.R. Dickinson *'' Bedside'' (1934) as Dr. William Chester *'' I've Got Your Number'' (1934) as John P. Schuyler *'' Fashion Follies of 1934'' (1934) as Duryea *'' Wonder Bar'' (1934) as Richard, the Maitre'd *''

Midnight Midnight is the transition time from one day to the next – the moment when the date changes, on the local official clock time for any particular jurisdiction. By clock time, midnight is the opposite of noon, differing from it by 12 hours. ...

'' (1934) as Ingersoll *'' Journal of a Crime'' (1934) as Doctor *'' Upper World'' (1934) as Banker Making Toast at banquet *'' Twenty Million Sweethearts'' (1934) as Lemuel Tappan *'' The Key'' (1934, aka High Peril) as Dan *'' Fog Over Frisco'' (1934) as Porter *'' The Personality Kid'' (1934) as Stephens *'' Now I'll Tell'' (1934) as Tommy Doran *'' Madame DuBarry'' (1934) as Duc de Choiseul *'' Side Streets'' (1934) as George Richards *'' Midnight Alibi'' (1934) as Jonathan Ardsley *'' The Man with Two Faces'' (1934) as Inspector Crane *'' Big Hearted Herbert'' (1934) as Goodrich Sr. *'' Gentlemen Are Born'' (1934) as Mr. Harper *'' Flirtation Walk'' (1934) as Gen. Fitts *'' Murder in the Clouds'' (1934) as John Brownell *'' The Secret Bride'' (1934) as Jim Lansdale *''

The Man Who Reclaimed His Head ''The Man Who Reclaimed His Head'' is a 1934 American drama film directed by Edward Ludwig and written by Jean Bart (writer), Jean Bart and Samuel Ornitz. The film stars Claude Rains, Joan Bennett, Lionel Atwill, Juanita Quigley, Henry O'Neill an ...

'' (1934) as Fernand de Marnay *'' Bordertown'' (1935) as Attorney J.L. Chase (uncredited) *'' Sweet Music'' (1935) as Louis Trumble *'' The Great Hotel Murder'' (1935) as Mr. Harvey *'' Living on Velvet'' (1935) as Harold Thornton *'' While the Patient Slept'' (1935) as Dimuck *'' The Florentine Dagger'' (1935) as Victor Ballau *'' Black Fury'' (1935) as Hendricks *'' Alias Mary Dow'' (1935) as Henry Dow *'' Dinky'' (1935) as Colonel Barnes *'' Oil for the Lamps of China'' (1935) as Edward Hartford *'' Stranded'' (1935) as Mr. Tuthill *'' Bright Lights'' (1935) as J.C. Anderson *'' We're in the Money'' (1935) as Lawyer Stephen 'Dinsy' Dinsmore *'' Special Agent'' (1935) as District Attorney Roger Quinn *'' The Case of the Lucky Legs'' (1935) as District Attorney Manchester *'' Dr. Socrates'' (1935) as Greer *'' Personal Maid's Secret'' (1935) as Mr. Wilton Palmer *'' I Found Stella Parish'' (1935) as Trailer Narrator (voice, uncredited) *'' Two Against the World'' (1936) as Jim Carstairs *'' Freshman Love'' (1936) as Pres. Simpkins *'' The Petrified Forest'' (1936) as Trailer Narrator (voice, uncredited) *'' The Story of Louis Pasteur'' (1936) as Dr. Emile Roux *'' Road Gang'' (1936) as George Winston *'' The Walking Dead'' (1936) as District Attorney Werner *'' Boulder Dam'' (1936) as Mr. Agnew *'' The Golden Arrow'' (1936) as Mr. Appleby *'' Bullets or Ballots'' (1936) as Ward Bryant *'' The Big Noise'' (1936) as Charlie Caldwell *'' The White Angel'' (1936) as Dr. Scott *'' Anthony Adverse'' (1936) as Father Xavier *'' Rainbow on the River'' (1936) as Father Josef *''

Green Light Green Light, green light, green-light or greenlight may refer to: * Green-colored light, part of the visible spectrum * Greenlight, formal approval of a project to move forward Arts, entertainment, and media Films and television * Green Light ( ...

'' (1937) as Dr. Endicott *'' The Great O'Malley'' (1937) as Attorney for the Defense *'' Marked Woman'' (1937) as District Attorney Arthur Sheldon *'' Draegerman Courage'' (1937) as Dr. Thomas Haslett *'' The Go Getter'' (1937) as Commander Tisdale *'' The Singing Marine'' (1937) as Captain Skinner *'' Mr. Dodd Takes the Air'' (1937) as D.M. Gateway *'' The Life of Emile Zola'' (1937) as Colonel Georges Picquart *'' Submarine D-1'' (1937) as Admiral Thomas *'' First Lady'' (1937) as George Mason *''

Wells Fargo Wells Fargo & Company is an American multinational financial services company with a significant global presence. The company operates in 35 countries and serves over 70 million customers worldwide. It is a systemically important fi ...

'' (1937) as Henry Wells *'' The Great Garrick'' (1937) *'' White Banners'' (1938) as Sam Trimble *'' Gold Is Where You Find It'' (1938) as Judge *''

Jezebel Jezebel ()"Jezebel"
(US) and

'' (1938) as General Theopholus Bogardus *'' Yellow Jack'' (1938) as Gorgas *'' Racket Busters'' (1938) as Governor *'' The Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse'' (1938) as Judge *'' The Chaser'' (1938) as Mr. Calhoun *'' Girls on Probation'' (1938) as Judge *'' Brother Rat'' (1938) as Colonel Ramm *'' Torchy Blane in Chinatown'' (1939) as Senator Baldwin *'' Wings of the Navy'' (1939) as Prologue Speaker *'' Confessions of a Nazi Spy'' (1939) as Attorney Kellogg *'' Dodge City'' (1939) as Col. Dodge *'' The Man Who Dared'' (1939) as Matthew Carter *'' Juarez'' (1939) as General Miguel Miramon *'' Lucky Night'' (1939) as Calvin Jordan *'' Sons of Liberty'' (1939, Short) as Member of Continental Congress *'' Everybody's Hobby'' (1939) as Thomas 'Tom' Leslie *'' The Angels Wash Their Faces'' (1939) as Remson Sr. *'' A Child Is Born'' (1939) as Dr. Lee *'' Four Wives'' (1939) as Dr. Clinton Forrest, Sr. *'' Invisible Stripes'' (1939) as Parole Officer Masters *'' The Fighting 69th'' (1940) as The Colonel *'' Calling Philo Vance'' (1940) as Markham *'' Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet'' (1940) as Dr. Lentz *'' Castle on the Hudson'' (1940) as District Attorney *'' 'Til We Meet Again'' (1940) as Dr. Cameron *'' They Drive by Night'' (1940) as District Attorney (uncredited) *'' Money and the Woman'' (1940) as Mr. Mason *'' Service with the Colors'' (1940, Short) as Col. Nelson *'' Knute Rockne, All American'' (1940) as Doctor *''

'' (1940) as Cyrus Holliday *'' Keeping Company'' (1940) *'' Brother Rat and a Baby'' (1940) *'' Maisie Was a Lady'' (1941) as Minor Role (scenes deleted) *'' The Trial of Mary Dugan'' (1941) as Galway *''

Men of Boys Town ''Men of Boys Town'' is a 1941 American drama film directed by Norman Taurog and written by James Kevin McGuinness. It is a sequel to the 1938 film ''Boys Town (film), Boys Town''. The film stars Spencer Tracy, Mickey Rooney, Bobs Watson, Larry Nu ...

'' (1941) as Mr. Maitland *'' Billy the Kid'' (1941) as Tim Ward *'' The Get-Away'' (1941) as Warden Alcott *'' Blossoms in the Dust'' (1941) as Judge *'' Whistling in the Dark'' (1941) as Philip Post *'' Down in San Diego'' (1941) as Col. Halliday *'' Honky Tonk'' (1941) as Daniel Wells *'' Shadow of the Thin Man'' (1941) as Maj. Jason I. Sculley *'' Johnny Eager'' (1941) as Mr. Verne *'' The Bugle Sounds'' (1942) as Lt. Col. Harry Seton *'' Mr. and Mrs. North'' (1942) as Undetermined Role (scenes deleted) *'' Born to Sing'' (1942) as Frank Eastman *'' This Time for Keeps'' (1942) as Arthur Freeman *'' Tortilla Flat'' (1942) as Father Ramon *'' Pierre of the Plains'' (1942) as Undetermined Role (scenes deleted) *'' White Cargo'' (1942) as The Reverend Dr. Roberts *'' Stand By for Action'' (1942) as Cmdr. Stone M.C *'' The Human Comedy'' (1943) as Charles Steed *'' Air Raid Wardens'' (1943) as Rittenhause *'' Dr. Gillespie's Criminal Case'' (1943) as Warden Kenneson *'' Best Foot Forward'' (1943) as Maj. Reeber *'' Thousands Cheer'' (1943) as Captain in Frank Morgan Skit (uncredited) *''

Girl Crazy ''Girl Crazy'' is a 1930 musical by George Gershwin with lyrics by Ira Gershwin and book by Guy Bolton and John McGowan. Co-leads Ginger Rogers and Ethel Merman made their stage debuts in the first production and Rogers became an overnight sta ...

'' (1943) as Mr. Churchill Sr. *'' Lost Angel'' (1943) as Professor Josh Pringle *'' A Guy Named Joe'' (1943) as Col. Sykes *'' Whistling in Brooklyn'' (1943) as Inspector Holcomb *''Main Street Today'' (1944, Short) as Vance Clark *'' The Heavenly Body'' (1944) as Prof. Stowe *'' Rationing'' (1944) as Sen. Edward A. White *'' Two Girls and a Sailor'' (1944) as John Dyckman Brown II *'' Barbary Coast Gent'' (1944) as Colonel Watrous *'' Nothing but Trouble'' (1944) as Mr. Hawkley *'' This Man's Navy'' (1945) as Lt. Cmdr. Roger Graystone *'' Keep Your Powder Dry'' (1945) as Major General Lee Rand *'' Between Two Women'' (1945) as Larry Goff, Theatrical Agent (uncredited) *'' Dangerous Partners'' (1945) as Police Lt. Duffy *'' Anchors Aweigh'' (1945) as Admiral Hammond *'' The Hoodlum Saint'' (1946) as Lewis J. Malbery *'' The Green Years'' (1946) as Canon Roche *'' The Virginian'' (1946) as Mr. Taylor *'' Bad Bascomb'' (1946) as Gov. Winton *''Little Mr. Jim'' (1946) as Chaplain *'' Three Wise Fools'' (1946) as Prof. Horace Appleby *'' The Beginning or the End'' (1947) as General Thomas F. Farrell *'' The Return of October'' (1948) as President Hotchkiss *'' Leather Gloves'' (1948) as Dudley *'' Alias Nick Beal'' (1949) as Judge Hobson *'' You're My Everything'' (1949) as Professor Adams *'' Strange Bargain'' (1949) as Timothy Hearne *'' The Reckless Moment'' (1949) as Tom Harper *'' Holiday Affair'' (1949) as Mr. Crowley *'' No Man of Her Own'' (1950) as Mr. Harkness *'' The Second Woman'' (1950) as Ben Sheppard *'' Convicted'' (1950) as Detective Dorn *'' The Milkman'' (1950) as Roger Bradley Sr. *'' The Flying Missile'' (1950) as RAdm. Thomas A. Scott *'' The People Against O'Hara'' (1951) as Judge Keating *'' The Family Secret'' (1951) as Donald Muir *'' Scandal Sheet'' (1952) as Charlie Barnes *'' Scarlet Angel'' (1952) as Morgan Caldwell *'' The Sun Shines Bright'' (1953) as Joe D. Habersham *'' Untamed'' (1955) as Squire O'Neill *'' The Wings of Eagles'' (1957) as Capt. Spear *'' North by Northwest'' (1959) as Man in Plaza Bar (uncredited) (final film role)

References

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Oneill, Henry 1891 births 1961 deaths American male film actors American male stage actors Male actors from New Jersey 20th-century American male actors Burials at San Fernando Mission Cemetery United States Navy personnel of World War I Actors from Orange, New Jersey