Richard O'Brien (American actor)

For other people named Richard O'Brien, see Richard O'Brien (disambiguation).
Richard O'Brien
Born
Edward Patrick O'Brien

(1917-07-14)July 14, 1917
Fargo, North Dakota, U.S.
DiedMarch 29, 1983(1983-03-29) (aged 65)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
OccupationActor

Edward Patrick O'Brien (July 14, 1917 – March 29, 1983) was an American film and television actor.[1]

Early life

O'Brien was born in Fargo, North Dakota.[2] He worked as a radio announcer in North Dakota before moving to Hollywood in the 1930s.[3] He began appearing in films, and also worked as a manager at the Carthay Circle Theatre.[3] During World War II he gave up acting to work as a stevedore in the San Francisco docks.[3]

Career

Television

In 1953 O'Brien appeared in the television series This Is the Life, later making three appearances in Harbor Command (1957–58).[4]

O'Brien had recurring television roles on The Smith Family (1971–72) and the action, crime drama series S.W.A.T (1975–76). He also guest starred on Rawhide (1965), The Big Valley (1965–69), The Fugitive (1966), 12 O'Clock High (1966), The Wild Wild West (1968–69), Gunsmoke (1969–74), Bonanza (1971), My Three Sons (1971), Cannon (1971–76), The Streets of San Francisco (1972, 1975), Barnaby Jones (1974–77), The Rockford Files (1977), Quincy, M.E. (1978–81), Trapper John, M.D. (1980, 1982), and General Hospital.[3]

Film

O'Brien appeared in theatrical films such as Chamber of Horrors (1966), Rough Night in Jericho (1967), Pieces of Dreams (1970), The Andromeda Strain (1971), The Honkers (1972), The Thief Who Came to Dinner (1973), No Deposit, No Return (1976), High Velocity (1976), The Pack (1977), and Looking for Mr. Goodbar (1977).[3][5]

Death

O'Brien died in March 1983 of cancer at his home in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 65.[1][3][6]

Filmography

Film

Richard O'Brien film credits
Year Title Role Notes
1962 Days of Wine and Roses Unknown Uncredited
1964 A Tiger Walks Camper in Tent Uncredited
1966 Chamber of Horrors Dr. Romulus Cobb [7]
1967 Rough Night in Jericho Ryan [7]
1968 Madigan Det. O'Brien
1970 Pieces of Dreams Monsignor Francis Hurley [7]
1971 The Andromeda Strain Grimes [1]
1972 The Loners Driver
1972 The Honkers Matt Weber
1973 The Thief Who Came to Dinner Sgt. Del Conte [7]
1974 Nightmare Honeymoon Sheriff [7]
1976 No Deposit, No Return Capt. Boland
1976 Moving Violation Police Chief
1976 High Velocity Beaumont
1976 The Shaggy D.A. Desk Sergeant
1977 Looking for Mr. Goodbar Father Timothy [1]
1977 The Pack Jim Dodge
1978 Heaven Can Wait Advisor to Former Owner

Television

Richard O'Brien television credits
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1957–1958 Harbor Command Capt. Hardesty / Ed White / Jackie 3 episodes (as Edward O'Brien) [4]
1965 Dr. Kildare Mr. Beaton 1 episode [7]
1965 Rawhide Sheriff 1 episode [7]
1965–1968 The Man From U.N.C.L.E. Fauntleroy / Air Chief 3 episodes [7]
1965–1969 The Big Valley Bryce / Yankee / Jace Holman / Jed Cameron / Sheriff Mosley / Sheriff Dan Bannock 6 episodes [7]
1966 The Fugitive Macklin / Sheriff Sam 2 episodes [7]
1966 12 O'Clock High Sergeant / C.O. 2 episodes [7]
1967 The Monkees Mr. Smith Episode: "Monkees on the Line" (S1.E28)
1967, 1968 Cimarron Strip Ben Lorton / Chandler 2 episodes [7]
1968–1969 The Wild Wild West Sheriff Tenny / Sergeant Charlie Tobin / Mr. Van Cleve 3 episodes
1969 Family Affair Harris 1 episode [7]
1969–1974 Gunsmoke Simpson / Carter / Adam Kearney 3 episodes [1][7]
1970 Dan August Marston 1 episode [7]
1971 My Three Sons Tom Stratman 1 episode [7]
1971 Bonanza Tom Griswold 1 episode [7]
1971 Dead Men Tell No Tales Tim Riley TV movie [7]
1971–1972 The Smith Family Captain O'Farrell 11 episodes
1971–1976 Cannon Charlie Clausen / Chief Michael Ames / Herb Landon / Capt. Mike Carling 4 episodes [7]
1972, 1975 The Streets of San Francisco Barney Reardon / Carl Hendrix 2 episodes [7]
1973 The Waltons Charlie Potter 1 episode [7]
1974 Movin' On Construction Boss Episode: In Tandem [7]
1974–1977 Barnaby Jones Sheriff / Joe Montgomery 3 episodes [7]
1975 Returning Home Mr. Cameron TV movie [7]
1975 The Rookies Stark / Officer Lord 2 episodes [7]
1975 Kojak Sgt. Harry Doyle 1 episode [7]
1975–1976 S.W.A.T. Chief Edward Roman Recurring role [1]
1977 Wonder Woman Frank Wilson 1 episode [7]
1977 The Rockford Files Arthur Kelso Episode: "The Mayor's Committee from Deer Lick Falls" (S4.E9) [7]
1977 Little House on the Prairie Hugh MacGregor 1 episode [7]
1978–1981 Quincy, M.E. Bernie / Fourth Board Member (uncredited) / Senator McGreevy 3 episodes
1980, 1982 Trapper John, M.D. Construction Worker / Super 2 episodes [7]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Associated Press (April 6, 1983). "Richard O'Brien, Hollywood Character Actor, 65, Is Dead". The New York Times. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  2. ^ Collar, Cammila. "Richard O'Brien". AllMovie. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Longtime Character Actor Richard O' Brien Dies at 65". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California. April 5, 1983. p. 7. Retrieved August 6, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ a b Berard, Jeanette M.; Englund, Klaudia, eds. (October 21, 2009). Television Series and Specials Scripts, 1946-1992: A Catalog of the American Radio Archives Collection. McFarland. p. 135. ISBN 9780786454372. Retrieved 7 January 2026.
  5. ^ Willis, John, ed. (1971). "Richard O'Brien". Screen World. 22. University of California: Crown Publishers: 107.
  6. ^ "Actor Richard O'Brien, who played mostly crooked policemen, priests..." United Press International. April 5, 1983. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad "Richard O'Brien". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media / NBCUniversal. Retrieved 7 January 2026.
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