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 the New York City borough of The Bronx, O'Brien learned the craft of performance as a magician, reportedly tutored by neighbor 'Harry Houdini' . He died in May of 1985 in Inglewood, California, of Alzheimer's Disease and was interred in Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California.
Father, with Olga San Juan , of actress Maria OBrien , TV producer Bridget OBrien Adelman and Brendan OBrien.
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.
Younger brother of screenwriter Liam OBrien.
Recited works of William Shakespeare with Keith Moon at Sam Peckinpah s surprise birthday party.
A German Shepherd aficionado.
Father-in-law of Ingrid K. Behrens (wife of son Brendan OBrien ).
Was cast in Black Christmas as Lt. Kenneth Fuller, but the part was recast with John Saxon because of OBriens poor health. He was rumored to be suffering from Alzheimers.
OBrien was originally cast as the photo-journalist Jackson Bentley (based on Lowell Thomas ) in Lawrence of Arabia . After OBrien filmed several scenes, he suffered a heart attack and had to drop out of the picture. He was replaced by Arthur Kennedy.
In an interview, director Don Siegel recalled that during the production of China Venture , he noticed that OBrien was spending more and more time in his trailer before a scene, and was beginning to arrive late for shooting, which he had never done before. Suspecting that OBrien might be secretly drinking before he went on camera--an experience Siegel had undergone with several well-known actors he had worked with--the director peeked through the windows of OBriens trailer one day and was surprised to see a young man reading OBriens lines to him. It turned out that OBriens eyesight and memory were beginning to fail him, he didnt want the studio to find out and fire him, so he had his assistant read him his lines and stage directions immediately before he was to shoot a scene so he wouldnt forget them on-camera.
Ex-father-in-law of Michael Anderson Jr..
Appeared older than his actual age, often being cast as "old coots" when he was only in his 40s.
Often played characters with drinking problems and may have been an alcoholic in real life.
Served with the US Army Air Force in World War II.
He appeared in two films which depicted the Normandy landings on June 6, 1944: D-Day the Sixth of June and The Longest Day . D-Day veteran Richard Todd also appeared in both films.
