Richard O'Brien (American actor)

Edward Patrick O'Brien (July 14, 1917 – March 29, 1983) was an American film and television actor.[1]

Richard O'Brien
Born
Edward Patrick O'Brien

(1917-07-14)July 14, 1917
DiedMarch 29, 1983(1983-03-29) (aged 65)
Occupation(s)Film and television actor

O'Brien was born in Fargo, North Dakota.[2] He worked as a radio announcer in North Dakota before moving to Hollywood in the 1930s.[3] He began appearing in films, and also worked as a manager at the Carthay Circle Theatre.[3] During World War II he gave up acting to work as a stevedore in the San Francisco docks.[3]

In 1953 O'Brien appeared in the television series This Is the Life, later making three appearances in Harbor Command.[citation needed]

O'Brien appeared in films such as High Velocity, Rough Night in Jericho, The Honkers, Chamber of Horrors, Looking for Mr. Goodbar, No Deposit, No Return, The Pack, The Thief Who Came to Dinner, The Andromeda Strain,[3] and Pieces of Dreams.[4] On television, O'Brien had recurring roles in The Smith Family and the action and crime drama television series S.W.A.T. He also guest-starred in television programs including Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Barnaby Jones, Trapper John, M.D., 12 O'Clock High, Cannon, The Streets of San Francisco, My Three Sons, The Rockford Files, Quincy, M.E., Rawhide, The Wild Wild West, The Fugitive, The Big Valley and General Hospital.[3]

O'Brien died in March 1983 of cancer at his home in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 65.[1][3][5]

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
1962 Days of Wine and Roses Uncredited
1964 A Tiger Walks Uncredited
1966 Chamber of Horrors Dr. Romulus Cobb
1967 Rough Night in Jericho Ryan
1968 Madigan Det. O'Brien
1970 Pieces of Dreams Monsignor Francis Hurley
1971 The Andromeda Strain Grimes
1972 The Loners Driver
1972 The Honkers Matt Weber
1973 The Thief Who Came to Dinner Sgt. Del Conte
1974 Nightmare Honeymoon Sheriff
1976 No Deposit, No Return Capt. Boland
1976 Moving Violation Police Chief
1976 High Velocity Beaumont
1976 The Shaggy D.A. Desk Sergeant
1977 Looking for Mr. Goodbar Father Timothy
1977 The Pack Jim Dodge
1978 Heaven Can Wait Advisor to Former Owner

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1967 The Monkees Mr. Smith S1:E28, "Monkees on the Line"

References

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  1. ^ a b Associated Press (April 6, 1983). "Richard O'Brien, Hollywood Character Actor, 65, Is Dead". The New York Times. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  2. ^ Collar, Cammila. "Richard O'Brien". AllMovie. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Longtime Character Actor Richard O' Brien Dies at 65". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California. April 5, 1983. p. 7. Retrieved August 6, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.  
  4. ^ "John Willis' Screen World: Volume 22", University of California, Crown Publishers, p. 107, 1971
  5. ^ "Actor Richard O'Brien, who played mostly crooked policemen, priests..." United Press International. April 5, 1983. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
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