Edmond O'Brien

Born: 10th September, 1915
Died: 15th May 1985
Country: USA
Occupation: Actor, Director, Producer.

After starting out in the NY theater, including a stint as a member of Orson Welles' Mercury Theater, Edmond O'Brien first made his mark on the screen in the magic year of 1939; co-starring with Charles Laughton and Maureen O'Hara in arguably the best version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame ever to be produced on film. This began a long and prolific film career, which lasted into the 1970's.

Ultimately best known for his supporting roles (he won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar® in 1954 for The Barefoot Contessa), O'Brien garnered the biggest heat of his career as the lead in the now classic D.O.A, in which he played the fatatlly poisoned man hunting down his own killer.

Why We're Talking About Him:

O'Brien was an incredibly versatile actor, easily moving from genre to genre without being terribly typecast, we believe he is not one to be taken for granted. Here was an actor who could convey his thoughts simply through a look, something greatly lacking in today's field of actors.

Movie Picks:

The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939). Edmond O'Brien's film debut. A major role (as the poet Gringoire) for an actor known only for his stage work in NY, this is an impressive debut. Couple this with the great performances of Maureen O'Hara and Charles Laughton and you have an incredible cast in a great movie.

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D.O.A. (1950). Dead on arrival--Edmond O'Brien hunts down his own killer in this imaginative noir thriller. A great classic and not one to be missed. O'Brien is stellar as the ordinary man coming to grips with his imminent death and keeping it together enough to find who did this to him and why.

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A Girl, A Guy, and A Gob (1940). A personal pick, this is simply a sweet, funny movie. Great performances from O'Brien and Lucille Ball.

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The Girl Can't Help It (1956). An excellent example of O'Brien's versatility. This is a very funny comedy. He handles it masterfully. There are not many who can shift from drama and comedy so easily.

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The Wild Bunch (1969). This is an incredible western. O'Brien is almost unrecognizable as the old codger member of the gang, the one who realizes the changes the future bring to the lives of the gang. I can't recommend this movie enough.

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This is just a short list of recommendations. I say, check out all of O'Brien's performances. You won't be disappointed.

- Cactus Les

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