Dave O'Brien
Biography
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Dave O'Brien (born David Poole Fronabarger, May 31, 1912 – November 8, 1969) was an American film actor, director, and writer. O'Brien was best known to movie audiences in the 1940s as the hero of the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer comedy short film series Pete Smith Specialties narrated by Pete Smith. O'Brien wrote and directed many of these subjects under the name David Barclay. He also appeared in many low-budget Westerns, often billed as Tex O'Brien. In 1942, O'Brien starred in the movie serial Captain Midnight. Modern audiences perhaps best remember O'Brien as a frantic dope addict in the 1936 low-budget exploitation film Tell Your Children (better known under its reissue title, Reefer Madness). As a writer for The Red Skelton Show, O'Brien shared an Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series in 1961 and shared a nomination for the same award in 1963. O'Brien died, aged 57, of a heart attack while competing in a yachting race.
Personal Details
Also Known As
Movies (49)
42nd Street: From Book to Screen to Stage
as Self (archive footage)
2006
That's Entertainment, Part II
as (archive footage)
1976
The Big Parade of Comedy
as Actor in the Pete Smith Shorts (archive footage)
1964
The Desperados Are in Town
as Dock Lapman / Mr. Brown
1956
The Kettles in the Ozarks
as Conductor
1956
The Fall Guy
as Himself as Various Characters (archive footage)
1955
Just What I Needed
as Harry Horseknuckle
1955
The Man Around the House
as Hugo Hightonsil (uncredited)
1955
Film Antics
Director (Directing)
1954
Out for Fun
as Businessman Seeking Relaxation
1954
Do Someone a Favor!
as George Dibson
1954
Tennessee Champ
as Luke MacWade
1954
Ain't It Aggravatin'
as Parking Space Hog / Apartment House Manager / Frugal Man / Harry Hollowhead
1954
Things We Can Do Without
as Thaddeus E. Thud III
1953
Kiss Me Kate
as Ralph
1953
Cash Stashers
as A Shmoe Named Joe
1953
Dogs 'n Ducks
Original Story (Writing)
1953
T.V. of Tomorrow
as Man on TV
1953
The Mosconi Story
Director (Directing)
1953
I Love Children, But!
as The Daddy
1952
Reducing
as Man on Bench (uncredited)
1952
Musiquiz
Director (Directing)
1952
Bargain Madness
Director (Directing)
1951
Camera Sleuth
Director (Directing)
1951
Wrong Way Butch
as Butch
1950
A Wife's Life
as George T. Hardnose (uncredited)
1950
Did'ja Know?
as Expectant Father / Greeting Card Shopper / Hospital Patient / Job Applicant
1950
Crashing the Movies
Director (Directing)
1950
Pest Control
Director (Directing)
1950
We Can Dream, Can't We?
Director (Directing)
1949
Those Good Old Days
1949
Super Cue Men
Director (Directing)
1949
Let's Cogitate
as Oliver T. Aseltafel
1948
Ice Aces
Writer (Writing)
1948
Just Suppose
as Husband (uncredited)
1948
You Can't Win
as Harried Homeowner
1948
I Love My Mother-In-Law But...
as The Son-In-Law / Husband
1948
Bowling Tricks
Director (Directing)
1948
Have You Ever Wondered?
as Husband / Driver / Man at Gumball Machine / Toupee Wearer
1947
Surfboard Rhythm
Director (Directing)
1947
Football Thrills No. 10
Director (Directing)
1947
Neighbor Pests
1947
I Love My Wife BUT!
as The Husband
1947
Early Sports Quiz: What's Your I.Q. No. 13
Director (Directing)
1947
Diamond Demon
Director (Directing)
1947
I Love My Husband, But!
as The Husband
1946
Sure Cures
as Xavier T. Schneckendorf
1946
Treasures from Trash
as Alonzo T. Mousebrain
1946
Equestrian Quiz: What's Your I.Q.? No. 11
as Horace
1946
