Pat O’Brien was an American actor who is best known for his roles in “Some Like It Hot,” “Knute Rockne, All American,” and “Angels with Dirty Faces.” He had a long and successful career in film and theater, particularly during the 1930s and 1940s.
Personal and Family Life
Pat O’Brien was born William Joseph Patrick O’Brien on November 11, 1899, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He married Eloise Taylor on January 23, 1931, and they had four children, one of whom was biological, while the other three were adopted. He met his wife while performing at the Selwyn Theatre in Chicago in 1927.
Career Highlights
O’Brien was known for playing both kind-hearted characters and shady figures in various films. He often portrayed Irish immigrants, earning him the nickname “Hollywood’s Irishman in Residence.” O’Brien had a notable friendship with fellow actor Spencer Tracy, and throughout his career, he appeared alongside James Cagney in nine films, with their final collaboration being “Ragtime” in 1981.
Death and Legacy
Pat O’Brien passed away from a heart attack on October 15, 1983, in Santa Monica, California. His contributions to film and theater are remembered, and he is considered one of the prominent stars of early Hollywood, particularly valued for his roles during the Golden Age of cinema.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Some Like It Hot | 1959-03-19 | Detective Mulligan |
| American Madness | 1932-08-15 | Matt Brown |
| Riff-Raff | 1947-06-28 | Dan Hammer |
| Ragtime | 1981-11-20 | Delmas, Thaw’s Lawyer |
| Crack-Up | 1946-09-06 | George Steele |
| Castle on the Hudson | 1940-02-17 | Warden Walter Long |
| Okinawa | 1952-02-28 | Lt. Cmdr. Hale |
| Angels with Dirty Faces | 1938-11-26 | Jerry Connolly |
| The Last Hurrah | 1958-12-31 | John Gorman |
| Knute Rockne All American | 1940-10-05 | Knute Rockne |
| The Front Page | 1931-04-04 | Hildy Johnson |
| Fighting Father Dunne | 1948-05-12 | Father Peter J. Dunne |
| The Great O’Malley | 1937-02-13 | James Aloysius ‘Jim’ O’Malley |