Biography for
Edmond O'Brien More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

10 September 1915, New York City, New York, USA

Date of Death

9 May 1985, Inglewood, California, USA (alzheimer's disease)

Birth Name

Redmond O'Brien

Nickname

Eddy

Height

5' 10" (1.78 m)

Mini Biography

Oscar-winner Edmond O'Brien was one of the most respected character actors in American cinema from his heyday of the mid-1940s through the late 1960s. Born on September 10, 1915, in New York City borough of The Bronx New York, O'Brien learned the craft of performance as a magician, reportedly tutored by neighbor Harry Houdini. He took part in student theatrics in high school and majored in drama at Columbia University. He made his Broadway debut at the age of 21 in 1936 and later that year played The Gravedigger in the great Shakespearean actor John Gielgud's legendary production of "Hamlet." Four years later, he would play Mercutio to the Romeo of another legendary Shakespearean, Laurence Olivier, in Olivier's 1940 Brodway production of "Romeo & Juliet."

Edmond O'Brien worked with another magician, Orson Welles, in the Mercury Theater's production of "Julius Caesar," appearing as Mark Antony. He would later play Casca in Joseph L. Mankiewicz's 1953 film of the play.

O'Brien is erroneously said to have made his debut as an uncredited extra in the 1938 film Prison Break (1938), but the truth is his stage work impressed R.K.O. studio boss Pandro S. Berman, who brought him to Hollywood to appear in the plum supporting part of Gringoire in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939), which starred Charles Laughton in the title role. After returning from his wartime service with the Army Air Force, Edmond O'Brien built up a distinguished career as a supporting actor in A-list films, and as an occasional character lead such as in D.O.A. (1950).

Edmond O'Brien won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in The Barefoot Contessa (1954) and also was received a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nod for his role as a drunken senator ferreting out an attempted coup d'etat in Seven Days in May (1964). He also appeared as the crusty old timer Freddy who antagonizes Ben Johnson's character Tector Gorch in director Sam Peckinpah's classic Western The Wild Bunch (1969). Increasingly, he appeared on television in the 1960s and '70s, but managed a turn in his old boss Welles' unfinished film The Other Side of the Wind (1972).

O'Brien married and divorced the actresses Nancy Kelly and Olga San Juan, with the latter wife being the mother of his three children, including actors Maria O'Brien and 'Brendan O'Brien (II)'. He died in May 1985 Inglewood, California, of Alzheimer's Disease and was interred in the Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California.

IMDb Mini Biography By: Jon C. Hopwood

Spouse

Olga San Juan	(26 September 1948 - 1976) (divorced) 3 children
Nancy Kelly	(19 February 1941 - 2 February 1942) (divorced)

Trivia

Father, with Olga San Juan, of actress Maria O'Brien and Brendan O'Brien.

His production company, Tiger Productions, came from his childhood nickname, 'Tiger'.

At the age of 10 he learned conjuring tricks from his neighbor, Harry Houdini.

Interred at Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City, California, USA. Specific Interment Location: F, T54, 50.

Brother of screenwriter Liam O'Brien.

Second actor to portray the title character on CBS Radio's "Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar" (1950-1952).

Recited Shakespeare with Keith Moon at Sam Peckinpah's surprise birthday party.

A German Shepherd aficionado.

Was original choice to play newspaper reporter Jackson Bentley in Lawrence of Arabia (1962), but health problems forced him to turn down the role, which eventually went to Arthur Kennedy.

Father-in-law of Ingrid K. Behrens (wife of son Brendan).

Was cast in Black Christmas (1974) as Lt. Kenneth Fuller, but the part was recast with John Saxon because of O'Brien's poor health. He was rumored to be suffering from Alzheimers.

Performed a reading of "The Red Badge Of Courage" that was available as an LP.

O'Brien was originally cast as the photo-journalist Jackson Bentley (based on Lowell Thomas) in Lawrence of Arabia (1962). After O'Brien filmed several scenes, he suffered a heart attack and had to be replaced.

Personal Quotes

Versatility is a dangerous thing. It's very satisfying to portray many types of roles, but often your own identity gets lost. Seldom does a producer say, "This is an Eddie O'Brien part." On the other hand, while the rewards may be great in fame and financially for stars, the work becomes monotonous. No actor who plays himself is a happy person.

Salary

A Girl, a Guy, and a Gob (1941)

$11,500

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