Edmond O'Brien (born Eamon Joseph O'Brien; September 10, 1915 â€" May
9, 1985) was an American actor, who appeared in more than 100 films
from the 1940s to the 1970s, often playing character parts. He
received the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and the
corresponding Golden Globe for his supporting role in The Barefoot
Contessa (1954), as well as a second Golden Globe and another Academy
Award nomination for Seven Days in May (1964). His other notable films
include The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939), The Killers (1946), A
Double Life (1947), White Heat (1949), D.O.A. (1949), The Hitch-Hiker
(1953), Julius Caesar (1953), 1984 (1956), The Girl Can't Help It
(1956), The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1961), Fantastic Voyage
(1966), The Wild Bunch (1969) and The Other Side of the Wind
(2018).O'Brien was born in Brooklyn, New York, the seventh and
youngest child of Agnes (née Baldwin) and James O'Brien. His parents
were natives of Tallow, County Waterford, Ireland. When he was four
years old, O'Brien's father died.He put on magic shows for children in
his neighborhood with coaching from a neighbor, Harry Houdini. He
performed under the title, "Neirbo the Great" ("neirbo" being
"O'Brien" spelled backwards). An aunt who taught high school English
and speech took him to the theatre from an early age and he developed
an interest in acting. O'Brien began acting in plays at school.After
attending Fordham University for six months, he went to Neighborhood
Playhouse School of the Theatre on a scholarship. He studied for two
years under such teachers as Sanford Meisner; his classmates included
Betty Garrett.
9, 1985) was an American actor, who appeared in more than 100 films
from the 1940s to the 1970s, often playing character parts. He
received the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and the
corresponding Golden Globe for his supporting role in The Barefoot
Contessa (1954), as well as a second Golden Globe and another Academy
Award nomination for Seven Days in May (1964). His other notable films
include The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939), The Killers (1946), A
Double Life (1947), White Heat (1949), D.O.A. (1949), The Hitch-Hiker
(1953), Julius Caesar (1953), 1984 (1956), The Girl Can't Help It
(1956), The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1961), Fantastic Voyage
(1966), The Wild Bunch (1969) and The Other Side of the Wind
(2018).O'Brien was born in Brooklyn, New York, the seventh and
youngest child of Agnes (née Baldwin) and James O'Brien. His parents
were natives of Tallow, County Waterford, Ireland. When he was four
years old, O'Brien's father died.He put on magic shows for children in
his neighborhood with coaching from a neighbor, Harry Houdini. He
performed under the title, "Neirbo the Great" ("neirbo" being
"O'Brien" spelled backwards). An aunt who taught high school English
and speech took him to the theatre from an early age and he developed
an interest in acting. O'Brien began acting in plays at school.After
attending Fordham University for six months, he went to Neighborhood
Playhouse School of the Theatre on a scholarship. He studied for two
years under such teachers as Sanford Meisner; his classmates included
Betty Garrett.
Share this
SUBSCRIBE OUR NEWSLETTER
SUBSCRIBE OUR NEWSLETTER
Join us for free and get valuable content delivered right through your inbox.