Edward Patrick O'Brien (July 14, 1917 – March 29, 1983) was an American film and television actor.
Early life
O'Brien was born in Fargo, North Dakota. He worked as a radio announcer in North Dakota before moving to Hollywood in the 1930s. He began appearing in films, and also worked as a manager at the Carthay Circle Theatre. During World War II he gave up acting to work as a stevedore in the San Francisco docks.
Career
Television
In 1953 O'Brien appeared in the television series This Is the Life, later making three appearances in Harbor Command (1957–58).
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.
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).
Death
O'Brien died in March 1983 of cancer at his home in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 65.
Filmography
Film
+ Year Title Role Notes1962 Days of Wine and Roses Uncredited1964 A Tiger Walks Camper in Tent Uncredited1966 Chamber of Horrors Dr. Romulus Cobb 1967 Rough Night in Jericho Ryan 1968 Madigan Det. O'Brien 1970 Pieces of Dreams Monsignor Francis Hurley 1971 The Andromeda Strain Grimes 1972 The Loners Driver 1972 The Honkers Matt Weber 1973 The Thief Who Came to Dinner Sgt. Del Conte 1974 Nightmare Honeymoon Sheriff 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 1977 The Pack Jim Dodge 1978 Heaven Can Wait Advisor to Former Owner
Television
+ Year Title Role Notes 1957–1958 Harbor Command Capt. Hardesty / Ed White / Jackie 3 episodes (as Edward O'Brien) 1965 Dr. Kildare Mr. Beaton 1 episode 1965 Rawhide Sheriff 1 episode 1965–1968 The Man From U.N.C.L.E. Fauntleroy / Air Chief 3 episodes 1965–1969 The Big Valley Bryce / Yankee / Jace Holman / Jed Cameron / Sheriff Mosley / Sheriff Dan Bannock 6 episodes 1966 The Fugitive Macklin / Sheriff Sam 2 episodes 1966 12 O'Clock High Sergeant / C.O. 2 episodes 1967 The Monkees Mr. Smith Episode: "Monkees on the Line" 1967, 1968 Cimarron Strip Ben Lorton / Chandler 2 episodes 1968–1969 The Wild Wild West Sheriff Tenny / Sergeant Charlie Tobin / Mr. Van Cleve 3 episodes 1969 Family Affair Harris 1 episode 1969–1974 Gunsmoke Simpson / Carter / Adam Kearney 3 episodes 1970 Dan August Marston 1 episode 1971 My Three Sons Tom Stratman 1 episode 1971 Bonanza Tom Griswold 1 episode 1971 Dead Men Tell No Tales Tim Riley TV movie 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 1972, 1975 The Streets of San Francisco Barney Reardon / Carl Hendrix 2 episodes 1973 The Waltons Charlie Potter 1 episode 1974 Movin' On Construction Boss Episode: In Tandem 1974–1977 Barnaby Jones Sheriff / Joe Montgomery 3 episodes 1975 Returning Home Mr. Cameron TV movie 1975 The Rookies Stark / Officer Lord 2 episodes 1975 Kojak Sgt. Harry Doyle 1 episode S.W.A.T. Chief Edward Roman Recurring role 1977 Wonder Woman Frank Wilson 1 episode 1977 The Rockford Files Arthur Kelso Episode: "The Mayor's Committee from Deer Lick Falls" 1977 Little House on the Prairie Hugh MacGregor 1 episode 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
References
External links