Edmond O'Brien
Actor

Edmond O'Brien Net Worth

Edmond O'Brien was a highly respected character actor in American cinema, beginning in the 1940s and lasting until the late 1960s. He was born in New York City and learned the craft of performance as a magician, before making his Broadway debut in 1936. He worked with Orson Welles in the Mercury Theater's production of "Julius Caesar" and later played "Casca" in the film adaptation. After returning from his wartime service, O'Brien built up a distinguished career as a supporting actor in A-list films, and as an occasional character lead. He won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in The Barefoot Contessa (1954) and was nominated for his role in Seven Days in May (1964). He also appeared in Sam Peckinpah's classic Western, The Wild Bunch (1969). O'Brien married and divorced actresses Nancy Kelly and Olga San Juan, and had three children, including actors Maria and Brendan O'Brien. He died in 1985 of Alzheimer's Disease and was interred in Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California.
Edmond O'Brien is a member of Actor

Age, Biography and Wiki

Who is it? Actor, Director, Producer
Birth Day September 10, 1915
Birth Place  New York City, New York, United States
Age 105 YEARS OLD
Died On May 9, 1985(1985-05-09) (aged 69)\nInglewood, California, U.S.
Birth Sign Libra
Cause of death Alzheimer's disease
Resting place Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City, California
Occupation Actor
Years active 1936–1974
Spouse(s) Nancy Kelly (m. 1941; div. 1942) Olga San Juan (m. 1948; div. 1976)
Children 3; including Brendan O'Brien

💰 Net worth: $11 Million (2024)

Edmond O'Brien, a highly talented and versatile individual, has made a significant impact in the entertainment industry. With his notable career as an actor, director, and producer in the United States, it comes as no surprise that his net worth is estimated to reach a remarkable $11 million by 2024. O'Brien's outstanding performances and dedication to his craft have garnered him immense recognition and success throughout the years. His contributions to the film industry have cemented his name as a respected figure, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to inspire aspiring artists. As an accomplished multi-talented professional, Edmond O'Brien's financial achievements reflect his unwavering passion and dedication to his craft.

Biography/Timeline

1939

O'Brien's theatre work attracted the attention of Pandro Berman at RKO, who offered him a role as the romantic lead in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939).

1941

O'Brien was divorced from actresses Nancy Kelly 1941–1942 and Olga San Juan. San Juan was the mother of his three children, including television Producer Bridget O'Brien and actors Maria O'Brien and Brendan O'Brien.

1943

O'Brien made Obliging Young Lady with Eve Arden, and Powder Town. He was loaned to Universal to appear opposite Deanna Durbin in The Amazing Mrs. Holliday (1943), after which he joined the armed services.

1944

During World War II, O'Brien served in the U.S. Army Air Forces and appeared in the Air Forces' Broadway play Winged Victory by Moss Hart. He appeared alongside Red Buttons, Karl Malden, Kevin McCarthy, Gary Merrill, Barry Nelson, and Martin Ritt. When the play was filmed in 1944, O'Brien reprised his stage performance, co-starring with Judy Holliday. He toured in the production for two years, appearing alongside a young Mario Lanza.

1948

In 1948, O'Brien signed a long-term contract with Warner Bros., who cast him in the screen version of Lillian Hellman's Another Part of the Forest. This starred Fredric March, who also appeared with O'Brien in An Act of Murder (1948).

1949

In 1949, 3,147 members of the Young Women's League of America, a national charitable organisation of spinsters, voted that O'Brien had more "male magnetism" than any other man in America today. "All women adore ruggedness," said organisation President Shirley Connolly. "Edmund O'Brien's magnetic appearance and personality most fully stir women's imaginative impulses. We're all agreed that he has more male magnetism than any of the 60,000,000 men in the United States today. (Runners up were Ezio Pinza, william O'Dwyer and Doak Walker.)

1950

From 1950 to 1952, O'Brien starred in the radio drama Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar, playing the title role. His other work in radio included Philip Morris Playhouse on Broadway.

1951

In 1951 he was in a well-publicized brawl with Serge Rubinstein at a cafe.

1953

He made some notable movies including two for Ida Lupino, The Hitch-Hiker and The Bigamist. He also played Casca in Joseph L. Mankiewicz's film of Julius Caesar (1953).

1957

In 1957 O'Brien recorded a spoken-word album of The Red Badge of Courage (Caedmon TC 1040). Billboard said, "Edmond O'Brien brings intensity in the narrative portions and successfully impersonates the varied characters in dialog."

1958

In 1958 he directed and starred in a TV drama written by his brother, "The Town That Slept With the Lights On", about two Lancaster murders that so frightened the community that residents began sleeping with their Lights on.

1959

From 1959–60 O'Brien portrayed the title role in the syndicated crime drama Johnny Midnight, about a New York City actor-turned-private detective. The producers refused to cast him unless he shed at least 50 pounds, so he went on a crash vegetarian diet and quit drinking.

1960

For his contribution to the motion picture industry, Edmond O'Brien has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1725 Vine Street, and a second star at 6523 Hollywood Blvd. for his contribution to the television industry. Both were dedicated on February 8, 1960.

1961

O'Brien recovered to direct his first feature Man Trap (1961).

1962

He continued to receive good roles: The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962) and The Birdman of Alcatraz (1962).

1963

"I've never made any kind of personality success," he admitted in a 1963 interview. "People never say 'that's an Eddie O'Brien part.' They say, 'That's a part Eddie O'Brien can play.' "

1964

O'Brien had a choice role in Seven Days in May (1964) which saw him receive a second Oscar nomination.

1970

He was a cast member of The Other Side of the Wind, Orson Welles' unfinished 1970s movie.

1971

In 1971, he was hospitalized with a "slight pulmonary condition."

1974

His last works, both in 1974, were an episode of the television series Police Story and main role in the film 99 and 44/100% Dead.

1983

O'Brien fell ill with Alzheimer's Disease. In a 1983 interview, his daughter Maria remembers seeing her father in a straitjacket at a Veterans' Hospital.

1984

O'Brien followed this with a number of important roles, including Pete Kelly's Blues, 1984, A Cry in the Night (1956), and The Girl Can't Help It.

1985

He died May 9, 1985, at St. Erne's Sanitorium in Inglewood, California, of Alzheimer's disease. He was survived by his three children.

2013

"The funny thing about Hollywood is that they are interested in having you do one thing and do it well and do it ever after," said O'Brien. "That's the sad thing about being a leading man – while the rewards may be great in fame and finances, it becomes monotonous for an actor. I think that's why some of the people who are continually playing themselves are not happy."

Some Edmond O'Brien images

About the author

Lisa Scholfield

As a Senior Writer at Famous Net Worth, I spearhead an exceptional team dedicated to uncovering and sharing the stories of pioneering individuals. My passion for unearthing untold narratives drives me to delve deep into the essence of each subject, bringing forth a unique blend of factual accuracy and narrative allure. In orchestrating the editorial workflow, I am deeply involved in every step—from initial research to the final touches of publishing, ensuring each biography not only informs but also engages and inspires our readership.