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Pat O'Brien. Actor: Some Like It Hot. Although he came to be called "Hollywood's Irishman in Residence"--and, along with good friends James Cagney, Allen Jenkins, Frank McHugh and a few others were called "The Irish Mafia"--and he often played Irish immigrants, Pat O'Brien was US-born and -bred. As a young boy the devoutly Roman Catholic O'Brien considered entering the seminary to study for ...
- November 11, 1899
- October 15, 1983
- Early Years
- Stage Career
- Knute Rockne, All American 1940
- Television Career
- Personal
His studies were interrupted early in 1917 when, along with Spencer Tracy, he joined the US Navy, training at boot camp at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center near Chicago, which lasted until the end of World War I. On discharge he resumed his studies at Marquette Academy and then went on to Marquette University to study law.
For the rest of the decade Pat continue to appear on stage, gaining valuable experience and eventually becoming a regular on Broadway. He became well known as a talented and dependable actor and in 1930 came to the attention of Hollywood.
O'Brien left Warner Bros. in 1940 to work as a freelancer and he continued to appear in several movies a year, usually in leading roles. In 1943 he appeared in the semi-documentary 'Bombardier' and the following year he was the star of the war film 'Marine Raiders'. After the comedy 'Having a Wonderful Crime' in 1945 he switched genres and starred ...
As his movie career wound down, so his television career gathered pace and during the 1960's and 1970's he became a familiar figure on the small screen in series such as 'Hazel', 'The Virginian' and 'Banyon' and he also appeared numerous times as himself, making guest appearances on chat shows with Ed Sullivan, David Frost, Merv Griffin and Joey Bi...
He published a well received autobiography, 'The Wind At My Back' in 1965. O'Brien was a very sociable man, well known for his love of jokes and storytelling and he had numerous long lasting friendships. He met James Cagney in 1926 and they remained friends until O'Brien's death. He was a member of the so-called 'Irish Mafia' - a group of mainly Ir...
William Joseph Patrick O'Brien (Irish: Pádraig Ó Briain; November 11, 1899 – October 15, 1983) was an American film actor with more than 100 screen credits. Of Irish descent, he often played Irish and Irish-American characters and was referred to as "Hollywood's Irishman in Residence" in the press.
- Actor
- William Joseph Patrick O'Brien, November 11, 1899, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
- 1925–1983
- October 15, 1983 (aged 83), Santa Monica, California, U.S.
And although never a policeman, in movies he often wore the cop's badge and, although in real life he had no discernible Irish accent, he could pour on the "brogue" when the role called for it. Pat O'Brien excelled in roles as beneficent men but could also give convincing performances as wise guys or con artists.
- January 1, 1
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
- January 1, 1
- Santa Monica, California, USA
People also ask
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Pat O'Brien was so Irish that one could hardly believe he actually spoke with an American accent, even if there was a hint of soft Irishness in it. A boyhood friend of Spencer Tracy, he chose acting in preference to the priesthood, but made up for it at Warners by playing priests several times, when he wasn't being fast-talking reporters or ...
- Died at 83
- Oct 15, 1983Santa Monica, CA
- Nov 11, 1899Milwaukee, WI
- Scorpio
Pat O'Brien - Actor; born William Joseph Patrick "Pat" O'Brien on November 11, 1899 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. O'Brien had over 100 screen credits. Being of Irish descent, he often played Irish and Irish-American characters and was referred to as "Hollywood's Irishman in Residence" in the press.
Dec 4, 2012 · George O’Brien was a rugged cowboy in both silent and talkie films of the 1930s. Pat O’Brien “Hollywood’s Irishman in residence,” played good-guy Irish priests and cops in many Warner Bros. crime dramas of the 30’s and 40’s. Edmond O’Brien won a best supporting Oscar playing a sweaty press agent in 1954’s The Barefoot Contessa.
