O'Brien Family History & Genealogy

Edmond O'Brien Born September 10, 1915 in New York City, New York, USA Died May 9, 1985 in Inglewood, California, USA (Alzheimer's disease) Birth Name Eamon Joseph O'Brien Nickname Eddy Height 5' 9" (1.75 m) Mini Bio (1) 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 Brooklyn, O'Brien learned the craft of performance as a magician, reportedly tutored by neighbor Harry Houdini. He took part in student theatrics in high school and majored in drama at Fordham University, dropping out after six months. He made his Broadway debut at the age of 21 in 1936 and, later that year, played "The Gravedigger" in the great Shakespearean actor John Gielgud's legendary production of "Hamlet". Four years later, he would play 'Mercutio' to the 'Romeo' of another legendary Shakespearean, Laurence Olivier, in Olivier's 1940 Brodway production of "Romeo & Juliet". O'Brien worked with another magician, Orson Welles, in the Mercury Theater's production of "Julius Caesar", appearing as 'Mark Antony'. He would later play 'Casca' in Joseph L. Mankiewicz's film of the play, Julius Caesar (1953). Although it has been stated that he made his debut as an uncredited extra in the 1938 film, Prison Break (1938), the truth is that his stage work impressed RKO boss Pandro S. Berman, who brought him to Hollywood to appear in the plum supporting part of 'Gringoire' in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939), which starred Charles Laughton in the title role. After returning from his wartime service with the Army Air Force, O'Brien built up a distinguished career as a supporting actor in A-list films, and as an occasional character lead, such as in D.O.A. (1949). O'Brien won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in The Barefoot Contessa (1954) and also received a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination for his role as a drunken senator who ferrets out an attempted coup d'etat in Seven Days in May (1964). He also appeared as crusty old-timer 'Freddy Sykes', who antagonizes Ben Johnson's character 'Tector Gorch' in director Sam Peckinpah's classic Western, The Wild Bunch (1969). Increasingly, O'Brien appeared on television in the 1960s and '70s, but managed a turn in his old boss Welles' unfinished film, The Other Side of the Wind (2018). He married and divorced actresses Nancy Kelly and Olga San Juan, the latter being the mother of his three children, including actors Maria O'Brien and Brendan O'Brien. He died in May of 1985 in Inglewood, California, of Alzheimer's Disease and was interred in Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California. Spouse (2) Olga San Juan (26 September 1948 - 1976) ( divorced) ( 3 children) Nancy Kelly (19 February 1941 - 2 February 1942) ( divorced) Trade Mark (2) Deep, rich voice Inquisitive demeanor, was often cast as writers and/or reporters Father, with Olga San Juan, of actress Maria O'Brien, TV producer Bridget O'Brien Adelman and Brendan O'Brien. 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, CA. Specific Interment Location: F, T54, 50. Younger brother of Liam O'Brien. 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 O'Brien). Was cast in Black Christmas (1974) as Lt. Kenneth Fuller, but the part was recast with John Saxon because of O'Brien's poor health. He was rumored to be suffering from Alzheimers. O'Brien was originally cast as the photo-journalist Jackson Bentley (based on Lowell Thomas) in Lawrence of Arabia (1962). After O'Brien 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 (1953), he noticed that O'Brien 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 O'Brien 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 O'Brien's trailer one day and was surprised to see a young man reading O'Brien's lines to him. It turned out that O'Brien's eyesight and memory were beginning to fail him, he didn't 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 wouldn't 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 that depicted the Normandy landings on 6/6/44: D-Day the Sixth of June (1956) and The Longest Day (1962). D-Day veteran Richard Todd also appeared in both films. Appeared in three Oscar Best Picture nominees: The Greatest Show on Earth (1952), Julius Caesar (1953) and The Longest Day (1962). Only the first of these won.

Edward O'brien was born on February 2, 1923. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Edward O'Brien.

Mary Josephine (O'Brien) Schmidt of Hawthorn Australia was born circa 1865 in Ireland. She was married to Charles Smith, and had children Mary Alma Schmidt, Kathleen Berg, Charles Henry Smith, Albert William Smith, Alma Payne, Dorothy Klatte, and Olive Mary Lovig. Mary Schmidt died at age 77 years old on April 6, 1943 in Melbourne Australia.

Dylan Rhodes O'Brien was born on August 26, 1991 in New York City, New York County, New York United States. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Dylan Rhodes O'Brien.

Margaret O'brien was born in 1937. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Margaret O'Brien.

Deni John O'Brien was born in April 2016 in Melbourne, VIC Australia. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Deni John O'Brien.

Honorah (O'Brien) Walsh was in a relationship with Daniel Walsh, and has a child Honora (Walsh) Murray. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Honorah (O'Brien) Walsh.

Margaret (O'Brien) Hayes of Burwood, VIC Australia was born on September 20, 1855 in Melton, Melton City County. She was in a relationship with William John Hayes, and had children John Hayes, Annie (Hayes) Simcock, Jane (Hayes) McAleer, William Henry Hayes, Vincent Hayes, Richard Hayes, Joseph Hayes, Catherine Hayes Murphy, Margaret Hayes Badrock, Elsie Agnes Hayes Gouge, Violet Hayes Billings, Lawrence Frederick Hayes, Muriel Veronica Hayes, Vera Hayes Bingley, and Nellie Bennett. Margaret Hayes died at age 76 years old on March 3, 1932 in Burwood, and was buried at Burwood Cemetery Gilmour St, in Burwood, Whitehorse City County.

Irene (Munier) O'brien was born in Montana United States. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Irene (Munier) O'brien.

Winifred (O'Brien) Carey was born in 1832 at Limerick in Ireland. She was in a relationship with Lawrence Carey, and had children Mary Ann (Carey) Danaher and Laurence Carey. Winifred Carey died at age 84 years old in 1917 in Miepoll, Strathbogie Shire County, VIC Australia, and was buried at Violet Town Cemetery in Violet Town. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Winifred (O'Brien) Carey.

Holley Margaret O'Brien was born on December 27, 2010 in Melbourne, VIC Australia. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Holley Margaret O'Brien.

Alexandra Quinn O'Brien was born on April 12, 2014 in Melbourne, VIC Australia. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Alexandra Quinn O'Brien.

Going to Matheson Hammock as a child she took us there all the time and always put Zink Oxide on us kids to prevent sunburn. Tropical pool every summer for lessons while she taught. She was a clean freak. She loved animals.

Erin Rae O'Brien was born in 1987 in Townsville, Townsville City County, QLD Australia. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Erin Rae O'Brien.

She also had another child - A Priest (Unknown Name) Waters

Mary Robertson (Cunningham) O'Brien was born in 1920 to Dorothy Omond (Wardlaw) Cunningham and Norman Gordon Cunningham, and had siblings Nancy Wardlaw Cunningham and Dorothy (Cunningham) Beattie. Mary O'Brien married Geoffrey James O'Brien in 1943, and died at age 95 years old on August 24, 2016 in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Mary Robertson (Cunningham) O'Brien .

Michael O'brien died in 1994. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Michael Lee O'brien.

Geoffrey James O'Brien was born on December 25, 1919 in Campbell Town, Northern Midlands Council County, TAS Australia to James Frederick Charles O'Brien and Telfer Jane (Foster) O'Brien. Geoffrey O'Brien married Mary Robertson (Cunningham) O'Brien in 1943, and died at age 63 years old on December 28, 1982 in Dilston, Launceston City Council County. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Geoffrey James O'Brien .

James O'Brien is the father of James Frederick Charles O'Brien. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember James Wall O'Brien.

Carolyn (O'brien) of 150-02 Geothals avenue, in Queens, Queens County, New York United States was born on April 12, 1942 in Norwalk, Fairfield County, CT to Daniel J O'Brien Sr and Eleanor Cullen. She had siblings Walter M O'Brien and Daniel J O'Brien jr. She married Anouar Cherif on September 12, 1964 in Norwalk, Fairfield County, and they were married until Carolyn's death in March 1981. She had children monia cherif and Salim Cherif. Carolyn Cherif was buried in March 1981 at St John's Cemetary in Norwalk, Fairfield County.