Pat O'Brien Overview:

Legendary actor, Pat O'Brien, was born William Joseph Patrick O'Brien on Nov 11, 1899 in Milwaukee, WI. O'Brien died at the age of 83 on Oct 15, 1983 in Santa Monica, CA and was laid to rest in Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, Los Angeles County, CA.

MINI BIO:

Round-faced, dark-haired, solidly-built Hollywood star of the thirties and forties. 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 happy-go-lucky adventurers. He seemed heavy by the mid-forties and his standing gradually declined, but he kept acting, latterly in character roles. Died from a heart attack.

(Source: available at Amazon Quinlan's Film Stars).

HONORS and AWARDS:

.

He was honored with two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the categories of Motion Pictures and Television. O'Brien was never nominated for an Academy Award.

BlogHub Articles:

James Cagney and in Angels with Dirty Faces

By Amanda Garrett on Nov 19, 2016 From Old Hollywood Films

Today, I'm writing about the friendship of Rocky Sullivan (James Cagney) and Jerry Conolly () in Angels with Dirty Faces (1938), This article is part of the You Gotta Have Friends Blogathon hosted by Moon in Gemini. A gentle reminder that this article contains spoilers for a 78-year... Read full article


James Cagney and

By Amanda Garrett on Mar 16, 2015 From Old Hollywood Films

Today, we're participating in the Luck of the Irish Blog O'Thon with a feature on two of old Hollywood's legendary Irish Americans, James Cagney and . Here's Cagney (front row, left) and O'Brien (front row, right) at the races with their fellow "Irish mafia" members Frank McHugh (back row... Read full article


TV Tuesday: James Cagney and

By KC on Jul 28, 2009 From Classic Movies

In this excerpt from a 1981 interview on the BBC talk show Parkinson, is moved to tears as he discusses his 55-year friendship with James Cagney. I love how O'Brien holds Cagney's hand. The obviously deep affection between the two is incredibly moving.... Read full article


See all articles

Pat O'Brien Quotes:

Mulligan: All right, Charlie; that the joint?
Toothpick Charlie: Yes, sir.
Mulligan: Who runs it?
Toothpick Charlie: I already told you.
Mulligan: Refresh my memory.
Toothpick Charlie: Spats Columbo.
Mulligan: That's very refreshing; what's the password?
Toothpick Charlie: "I've come to Grandma's funeral." Here's your admission card. [he gives Mulligan a mourning armband]
Mulligan: Thanks, Charlie.
Toothpick Charlie: "Now if you want a ringside table, just tell 'em that you're one of the pallbearers.
Mulligan: OK, Charlie.


Spats Colombo: Hello, copper. What brings you to Miami?
Mulligan: Heard you "opera lovers" were having a convention, so I thought I'd better be around in case anybody decided to sing.


Toothpick Charlie: Look, chief, I better blow 'cause if Columbo sees me, it's gonna be "Goodbye Charlie!"
Mulligan: Goodbye, Charlie.


read more quotes from Pat O'Brien...



Share this page:
Visit the Classic Movie Hub Blog CMH
Also a Scorpio






See All Scorpios >>
Pat O'Brien on the
Hollywood Walk of Fame




See All Walk of Fame Stars >>
Pat O'Brien Facts
Had been playing Walter Burns in "The Front Page" on Broadway before being tapped to appear in the 1931 film (The Front Page (1931)). The studio, confusing Burns with the other lead role, Hildy Johnson, offered O'Brien the latter role, assuming it was the one he had played onstage. He took the job, not informing them of their mistake.

Biography in: "The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives". Volume One, 1981-1985, pages 607-608. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1998.

His final acting role was as a guest star in an episode of "Happy Days" (1974). The show was set in Milwaukee, WI, which was O'Brien's home town.

See All Related Facts >>
Related Lists
Create a list


See All Related Lists >>