Tricia O'Neil (born Patricia Lou O'Neil;[1][2][3] March 11, 1945[4]) is an American actress.

Tricia O'Neil
O'Neil in 1967
Born
Patricia Lou O'Neil

(1945-03-11) March 11, 1945 (age 79)
Other namesPatti O'Neil
EducationMcAllen High School
Alma materBaylor University
Occupations
  • Actress
  • model
Years active1972–2001
Known forTwo by Two
Captain Rachel Garrett in "Yesterday's Enterprise ", Star Trek: The Next Generation
Lisa / Christine Ames in "Labyrinth", Hawaii Five-O
SpouseJames Irving Van Valkenburg

Early life

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Born in Shreveport, Louisiana,[5] she is the daughter of James Weldon O'Neil and Mary Jane Marter.[6] The family lived in El Paso, Texas, from 1952 to 1959 and in 1963. O'Neil attended elementary and intermediate schools in El Paso and graduated from McAllen High School. In 1968, she graduated from Baylor University,[5] where she studied with singer Miklos Bencze.[7]

 
 
O'Neil in Mexico, 1967

Career

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In 1965, while attending Baylor, O'Neil performed on two locally produced TV specials, both of them airing on KCEN-TV. First, on May 14, she was one of 18—and one of three Baylor students—selected to appear on Talent '65. Sponsored by Southwestern Bell and produced by KHOU-TV for the purpose of showcasing statewide talent, it was hosted by John Hambrick.[8] Accompanying herself on guitar, O'Neil performed "Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You"[9] (Anne Bredon's composition, popularized in 1962 by Joan Baez).[10] On December 24 and 25, she and the Baylor University Religious Hour Choir were featured on Christmas: Old and New, an hour-long special which was heard in Dallas on WFAA (AM) on Christmas Eve and seen on KCEN on Christmas Day.[11]

Following her graduation from Baylor, O'Neil sang in supper clubs in Texas and California for two years before an opportunity to act on Broadway arose.[5][12][13][14] By that time, O'Neil had already dropped "Patti" in favor of "Tricia",[15] after discovering there was already a Patti O'Neil registered at Actors Equity.[5][16]

In 1970, O'Neil made her professional theatrical debut in the Broadway musical Two by Two.[5] Although the show received mixed reviews,[17] O'Neil earned a Theatre World Award for her performance.[18] Newsweek's Jack Kroll, in particular, singles out O'Neil, amidst his otherwise blistering critique of the show itself:

There is only one delight in 'Two by Two'—Tricia O'Neil as Rachel, Noah's daughter-in-law who marries the wrong son. Miss O'Neil is a stunning girl with a full sweet voice and the grace of an Assyrian lioness. She is the only Biblical thing in the show, bearing the wheat of Zion in her hair, the loyalty of Ruth in her eyes, the determination of Judith in her arms, the sensuality of the Song of Solomon in her throat and the curve of her thigh.[19]

O'Neil made her film debut in the 1972 film The Legend of Nigger Charley (1972). Other film appearances include The Gumball Rally (1976), Mary Jane Harper Cried Last Night (1977), Are You in the House Alone? (1978), The Kid from Left Field (1979), Brave New World (1980), Piranha II: The Spawning (1982), Ted & Venus (1991) and Titanic (1997).

O'Neil made her television debut in the 1973 television movie Duty Bound. She appeared in a number of guest roles on various television series, including a dog trainer in a 1978 episode of Columbo titled "How to Dial a Murder",[20] nightclub singer Julie Heller in the episode "Murder! Murder!" of The Eddie Capra Mysteries (1978), as Dorothy Fulton in Hart to Hart (1979), as a police photographer in back-to-back episodes of Barney Miller (1980), as female stunt woman "Charlie" in the episode of the same name in the first season of The Fall Guy (1981), in Remington Steele (1982), as conniving "other woman" Ashley Vickers in the pilot episode of Murder, She Wrote (1984), as a pushy reporter in the second-season episode "Catch of the Day" in Riptide (1984), as the owner of a travelling Wild West rodeo show in the third-season Airwolf episode "Annie Oakley" (1985), and separate roles in three episodes of Matlock from 1989 to 1994. She appeared in the television miniseries Jacqueline Susann's Valley of the Dolls (1981) and in two episodes of The A-Team, playing Dr. Maggie "Mo" Sullivan in the season one episode "Black Day at Bad Rock" and the season two episode "Deadly Maneuvers".[20]

O'Neil made a number of appearances in popular science fiction television series during the 1980s and 1990s. She portrayed Captain Rachel Garrett of the U.S.S. Enterprise (NCC-1701-C) in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "Yesterday's Enterprise", returning to that series with a role as the Klingon Kurak in the episode "Suspicions".[20] Later she guest-starred on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine as Cardassian Korinas in the episode "Defiant".[20][21] O'Neil guest-starred in the Babylon 5 season-one episode "Believers" (1994) as "M'ola". Later, she played the Earth Alliance president in the Babylon 5 TV movie Babylon 5: In the Beginning (1998).

In 1991, O'Neil filmed her scenes in the role of Hoelun for the never-released film Genghis Khan. Efforts in 2010 to repackage the material as a miniseries, tentatively named Genghis Khan: The Story of a Lifetime, never came to fruition.

O'Neil's last screen appearance was on the television series JAG, playing Dr. Beth Salluci in the 2001 episode "Redemption".

Personal life

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On August 6, 1966, O'Neil married opera singer James Irving Van Valkenburg.[22][23][2]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1972 The Legend of Black Charley Sarah Lyons Blaxploitation Western film
1976 The Gumball Rally Angie - Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow comedy film
1982 Piranha II: The Spawning Anne Kimbrough Horror film
1991 Ted & Venus Judge Katherine Notch Black comedy film
1997 Titanic Woman Disaster film

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1973 Duty Bound Glenn's Wife television film
1975 How to Survive a Marriage Joan Willis soap opera
1976 Ellery Queen Yvonne Danello Episode: "The Adventure of the Wary Witness"
Serpico Grace Episode: "The Indian"
Sirota's Court Sugar Hills Episode: "Sirota's Car"
1977 Delvecchio Sharon Nicholson Episode: "The Madness Within: Part 1"
Episode: "The Madness Within: Part 2"
Charlie Cobb: Nice Night for a Hanging Angelica Television film
Big Hawaii Dr. Ericka Bergen Episode: "Sun Children"
Mary Jane Harper Cried Last Night Dr. Angela Buccieri Television film
Eight Is Enough Ellen Manning Episode: "Double Trouble"
1978 Columbo Miss Cochran - the dog trainer Episode: "How to Dial a Murder"
Are You in the House Alone? Jessica hirsch Television horror film
The Eddie Capra Mysteries Julie Heller Episode: "Murder, Murder"
1979 The Kid from Left Field Marion Fowler Television baseball comedy film
Hawaii Five-O Dilys Conover
Lisa / Christine Ames
Episode: "The Bark and the Bite"
Episode: "Labyrinth"
1980 Brave New World Maoina Krupps Television film
Charlie's Angels Anne Moore (as Tricia O'Neill) Episode: "Toni's Boys"
Barney Miller Alex Kramer (as Tricia O'Neill) Episode: "Homicide: Part 1"
Episode: "Homicide: Part 2"
1981 The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo Sheila McKnight Episode: "Macho Man"
Jacqueline Susann's Valley of the Dolls Enid Marshall TV Mini Series
1982 Palms Precinct Jeanine Monasco Television film
Hart to Hart Dorothy Fulton Episode: "The Harts Strike Out"
The Powers of Matthew Star Fortune Teller Episode: "Mother"
Voyagers! Annie Brown Episode: "Old Hickory and the Pirate"
1982-1983 The Fall Guy Charlie
Agent Eve Peterson
Episode: "Charlie"
Episode: "The Last Drive"
1983 Whiz Kids Kathy Fairgate Episode: "Deadly Access"
Hardcastle and McCormick Pamela Peterson Episode: "Once Again with Vigorish"
Lottery! Episode: "New York: Winning Can Be Murder"
1983-1984 The A-Team Maggie Sullivan (as Tricia O'Neill)
Maggie Sullivan
Episode: "Black Day at Black Rock"
Episode: "Deadly Maneuvers"
1984 Riptide Tawny Clark Episode: "Catch of the Day"
1985 Scarecrow and Mrs. King Rita Holden Episode: "A Little Sex, a Little Scandal"
Megazone 23 Additional Voices (Streamline Pictures dub) (English version, voice)
Airwolf Annie Oakley, Louise Mackey Episode: "Annie Oakley"
1986 Blacke's Magic Teresa George Episode: "Breathing Room" (Pilot)
Dynasty Mrs. Davis Episode: "The Trial: Part 1
Episode: "The Trial: Part 2"
Kay O'Brien Episode: "Princess of the City"
1987 MacGyver Susan Murphy, Victoria James Episode: "Phoenix Under Siege"
The New Mike Hammer Fran Lasker Episode: "Little Miss Murder"
Jack and Mike Barbara Episode: "Separate Lives"
Episode: "Come Together"
Episode: "Light My Fire"
Hunter Sylvia Brand Episode: "Night on Bald Mountain"
1983-1988 Simon & Simon Laura Reynolds
Nurse Sandy Purcell (as Trish O'Neil)
Episode: "It's Only a Game"
Episode: "A Firm Grasp of Reality"
1988 Police Story: Gladiator School D.A. Willis Television film
1989 L.A. Law Meredith Korngold Episode: "Captain Hurt"
1991 CBS Schoolbreak Special Beth Crane Episode: "Lies of the Hear"
Equal Justice Sara Episode: "Courting Disaster"
1984-1991 Dallas Dr. Barbara Mulgravy
Barbara Barnes
Episode: "True Confessions"
Episode: "Conundrum"
1984-1991 Murder, She Wrote Ashley Vickers
Bibi Hartman
Lila Benson
Althea Mayberry
Linda Truitt
Episode: "The Murder of Sherlock Holmes"
Episode: "Murder in the Afternoon"
Episode: "Trouble in Eden"
Episode: "From the Horse's Mouth"
Episode: "Lines of Excellence"
1991 Jake and the Fatman Delta Ridpath Episode: "Every Time We Say Goodbye"
1992 Civil Wars Ruth Conway Episode: "Whippit 'Til It Breaks"
A Woman Scorned: The Betty Broderick Story Margaret Fitzpatrick Television film
1993 Doogie Howser, M.D. Acting Coach Episode: "What Makes Doogie Run"
1990-1993 Star Trek: The Next Generation Captain Rachel Garrett
Kurak
Episode: "Yesterday's Enterprise"
Episode: "Suspicions"
1994 Babylon 5 M'Ola Episode: "Believers"
Robin's Hoods Lydia Barnhouse Episode: "To Heir Is Human"
1989-1994 Matlock Cynthia Slayton
Jackie Whitman - Model's Agent
Jackie Carol Davis
Episode: "The Best Seller"
Episode: "The Cover Girl"
Episode: "The Tabloid"
1994 Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Korinas Episode: "Defiant"
1995 Degree of Guilt Rosa Television film
1996 High Tide Karen Donaldson Episode: "University Blues: Part 1"
Episode: "University Blues: Part 2"
1997 Diagnosis: Murder Jane Ellington Episode: "A History of Murder"
1998 Babylon 5: In the Beginning Earth Alliance President space opera television film
Gia Vogue Editor biographical television film
Beverly Hills, 90210 Mrs. O'Lare Episode: "You say Goodbye, I Say Hello"
Episode: "I'm Back Because"
2000 Titans Dr. Smith Episode: "Bad Will Hunting"
2001 JAG Amanda Litrell
Dr. Beth Salluci
Episode: "To Walk on Wings"
Episode: "Redemption"

Awards and nominations

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Year Association Category Nominated work Result
1970 Theatre World Award Performance Two by Two Won

References

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  1. ^ "'Two by Two Another Triumph for Rodgers'". McAllen Monitor. December 6, 1970. p. 44. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Van Valkenburg-O'Neil Vows Solemnized in Rite". El Paso Times. August 7, 1966. p. 24. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  3. ^ "Marriage Plans Told for King-O'Neil Rite". El Paso Times. June 7, 1965. p. 8. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  4. ^ "Almanac". Dubuque Telegraph-Herald. March 11, 2023. p. A3. ProQuest 2786298863. Media mogul Rupert Murdoch is 92. Former ABC News correspondent Sam Donaldson is 89. Musician Flaco Jimenez (FLAH'-koh hee-MEH'-nez) is 84. Actor Tricia O'Neil is 78. Actor Mark Metcalf is 77. Rock singer-musician Mark Stein (Vanilla Fudge) is 76. Singer Bobby McFerrin is 73. See also:
    • "Wire reports". South Florida Sun - Sentinel. March 11, 2003. p. 2A. ProQuest 387819111. media mogul Rupert Murdoch, 72; ABC News correspondent Sam Donaldson, 69; U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, 67; musician Flaco Jimenez, 64; actress Tricia O'Neil, 58; singer Bobby McFerrin, 53;
  5. ^ a b c d e Ligon, Betty (January 4, 1971). "El Pasoan Takes New York Entertainment Headlines". El Paso Herald-Post. p. 17. Retrieved September 22, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "United States, GenealogyBank Historical Newspaper Obituaries, 1815-2011", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q5Q6-C3KD : Fri Oct 20 08:53:05 UTC 2023), Entry for James Weldor O'Neil and Mary Jane Marter, 02 Jan 1978.
  7. ^ "Music Club Elects New Officer Slate". The Waco Times-Herald. April 29, 1965. p.20. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  8. ^ "TV Show Featuring College Talent Includes Baylorites". The Waco Times-Herald. May 13, 1965. p. 11-B. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  9. ^ "Patti O'Neil". The Waco Times-Herald. May 14, 1965. p. 11-B.
  10. ^ Ojala, Jani (2022). The Top 100 Albums of the 1960s: My Beautiful Mine. S.I.: Books on Demand. p. 50. ISBN 9789528067511.
  11. ^ "Baylor Religious Choir to Appear on Channel 6". The Waco Times-Herald. Dec 20, 1965. p. 13. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  12. ^ Slaughter, Tony (October 9, 1968). "Navy Day Oct. 27". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. p. 33. "Singer Patti O'Neal is currently at the Terrace Room at Colonial CC and will close Sunday night." Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  13. ^ Slaughter, Tony (December 31, 1968). "Just Call It Blackstone". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. p. 4. "Colonial CC's new Terrace Room is bringing back entertainers, with Vivian Mason due Jan. 7-19 and Patti O'Neil taking over Jan. 21 to Feb. 2." Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  14. ^ "Actress to Receive Theater World Citation". The Shreveport Journal. May 26, 1971. p. 8. "Tricia O'Neill, a native of Shreveport and granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bob Clark of 4232 Youree, will receive a plaque for Most Promising Star on Broadway Thursday. Miss O'Neil currently sings the role of Rachel in the Danny Kaye musical 'Two by Two.' [...] Prior to her success in the role of Rachel, she sang background music for recordings of Jimmy Webb songs ('By the Time I Get to Phoenix' and 'Wichita Lineman') and fulfilled a singing engagement at The Horn in Santa Monica, Calif." Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  15. ^ Latham, Peggy (April 13, 1969). "Former El Paso Girl". El Paso Times. . p. 37. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  16. ^ "LITTLE Patti O'Neil". Los Angeles Mirror. July 1, 1953. p. 39. "LITTLE Patti O'Neil monopolizes phone in scene from KNBH's TV Theater production of 'Boy of Mine,' tonight at 9." Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  17. ^ Schmidt, Sandra (November 12, 1970). "Broadway Review: 'Two by Two' Opens Broadway Run". Los Angeles Times. p. J22. ProQuest 156540641. I liked 'Two by Two.' Really, I did. [...] It's just that the whole thing hangs on a framework as casual as that which forms the ark, and all the emotions it touches are the automatic reaction we have to well done melodrama (or bedtime stories). In the end, it is only a very small show with very small aspirations. With the ingredients it has, I wish it had been more. See also:
    • Kelly,Kevin (October 4, 1970). "'Two by Two' Lacks Real Sparkle". The Boston Globe. p. A45. ProQuest 649055631.
  18. ^ "Theatre World Award Recipients". Theatre World Awards, Inc. Retrieved 2019-05-15.
  19. ^ Kroll, Jack (November 23, 1970). "Leaky Ark". Newsweek. p. 137. ProQuest 1894130901.
  20. ^ a b c d "Tricia O'Neil". TVGuide.com. TV Guide. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  21. ^ Staff writers (2013-01-28). "Catching Up With TNG's Capt. Garrett, Tricia O'Neil". Startrek.com. Retrieved 2019-05-15.
  22. ^ []
  23. ^ Latham, Peggy (April 13, 1969). "Former El Paso Girl Makes Hit As Singer". El Paso Times. p. 7-C. Retrieved August 6, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
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