William Joseph Patrick O’Brien was a film actor who appeared in over 100 films. He was of Irish descent and frequently played Irish and Irish-American characters, earning him the “Hollywood’s Irishman in Residence” moniker in the press. Patrick played priests, cops, military figures, pilots, and reporters as one of the most well-known screen actors of the 1930s and 1940s. Pat is best known for his significant roles in Knute Rockne, All American, Angels with Dirty Faces, and Some Like It Hot. Onscreen, he was frequently paired with Hollywood legend James Cagney. O’Brien has also performed on stage and on television.
O’Brien was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1899 to an Irish-American Catholic family. His four grandparents were all from Ireland. The O’Briens originated in County Cork. Patrick O’Brien, after whom he was named, was an architect who was killed while attempting to break up a saloon brawl in New York City. His mother’s parents, the McGoverns, left County Galway in western Ireland in the mid-to late-nineteenth century. Growing up in Milwaukee, O’Brien worked as an altar boy at Gesu Church. He went to Marquette Academy with fellow actor and lifelong friend Spencer Tracy. Patrick and Tracy joined the United States Navy during World War I.
O’Brien spent a decade performing in Broadway, and New York City plays. O’Brien made his film debut in The Nightingale, a Vitaphone Varieties short film produced in New York and released in August 1930. In the original version of The Front Page, he played ace reporter Hildy Johnson opposite Adolphe Menjou. The National Film Preservation Board selected this film for preservation in the Library of Congress’s National Film Registry in 2010 as culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant. (1)
Patrick O'Brien's Net Worth
Pat O’Brien has appeared in numerous films, product partnerships, project partnerships, and media advertisements due to his acting talent and sense of humor. His media celebrity earned him $1.5 million. Pat O’Brien has amassed a fortune (2). His earnings from his profession are large enough to rank among the top celebrity payouts of all time. His success as an actor, model, and producer is his primary source of income.
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Patrick O'Brien's Early Life
Pat O’Brien was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1899 to an Irish-American Catholic family. His four grandparents were all from Ireland. The O’Briens originated in County Cork. Patrick O’Brien, after whom he was decided to name, was an architect who was killed while attempting to break up a saloon brawl in New York City. His mother’s parents, the McGoverns, left County Galway in western Ireland in the mid-to late-nineteenth century. Growing up in Milwaukee, O’Brien worked as an altar boy at Gesu Church. (3)
Patrick O'Brien's Education
Pat O’Brien’s educational qualifications entice his followers to participate. Pat O’Brien has chosen to conceal his academic credentials. His public persona oozes confidence and knowledge. Patrick’s captivating public personas, as well as his characteristics, are all thanks to his academic success. Pat’s academic records are unknown, as is any other information about his academy. Pat O’Brien went to Marquette Academy with fellow actor Spencer Tracy, who became a lifelong friend of his. Pat and Tracy joined the United States Navy during World War I. They both went to the Great Lakes Naval Training Center for boot camp but never went to sea. The war ended before their training could be completed.
Patrick O'Brien's Wife and Family Life
Every one of you has inquired as to how celebrities keep their relationships. What steps do they take to hide their uniqueness? It is even more complicated if your partner is from a different country. If anyone finds out about it, many unexpected things happen. Mavourneen, Sean, Terry, and Brigid were the names of O’Brien and his wife, Eloise. His three children were adopted. Brigid O’Brien, his biological child, was the youngest. Eloise O’Brien appeared on stage with her husband on occasion.
Patrick O'Brien's Career
Bureau of Missing Persons, starring Bette Davis, was O’Brien’s first Warner Bros. film. He went to RKO for Flaming Gold and MGM for Bombshell before signing a long-term contract with Warners. He stayed with the studio until 1940 when he left due to a disagreement over the terms of his contract renewal. Dick Powell in College Coach and Joan Blondell in I have Got Your Number were both supported by O’Brien. In Gambling Lady, he was the third lead to Barbra Stanwyck and Joel McCrea, and he worked with Powell again in Twenty Million Sweethearts.
Here Comes the Navy was O’Brien’s first collaboration with James Cagney, who was also under contract with Warners. They first met in 1926 and remained friends for nearly six decades. Cagney referred to O’Brien as his “dearest friend” after his death. Pat played the lead, a boxer in The Personality Kid, supported Powell in Flirtation Walk, and was an auctioneer in I Sell Anything.
Back at Warner Bros, he worked on The Fighting 69th with Cagney and then Castle on the Hudson with Sheridan and John Garfield. In ‘Til We Meet Again, he played a cop, and in Torrid Zone, he backed up Cagney and Sheridan. In Flowing Gold, he backed Garfield and Frances Farmer. In Knute Rockne, All American, O’Brien was cast as the famous University of Notre Dame football coach Knute Rockne. In the film, he delivers the speech “win just one for the Gipper,” referring to the recently deceased football player, George Gipp, played by a young Ronald Reagan. Reagan later used this phrase as a campaign slogan during his 1980 presidential campaign.
O’Brien was at the pinnacle of his career. In the film Sergeant York, he was considered for the role of Alvin York. However, after reaching this pinnacle, O’Brien left Warner Bros. in July 1940. After leaving Warner Bros. in 1940, O’Brien signed a two-film-a-year contract with 20th Century Fox. They did not, however, use him. He agreed to make two films per year with Columbia Pictures. He appeared in Escape to Glory before taking a year off before starring in Two Yanks in Trinidad with Brian Donlevy and Flight Lieutenant with Glenn Ford. He was on Broadway with George Raft at Universal. (4)
Quick and Fun Facts about Patrick O'Brien
William Joseph Patrick O’Brien was a film actor who appeared in over 100 films.
Patrick O’Brien was of Irish descent and frequently played Irish and Irish-American characters, earning him the “Hollywood’s Irishman in Residence” moniker in the press.
Patrick O’Brien played priests, cops, military figures, pilots, and reporters as one of the most well-known screen actors of the 1930s and 1940s.
Patrick O’Brien is best known for his roles in Knute Rockne, All American, Angels with Dirty Faces, and Some Like It Hot.
Onscreen, Patrick O’Brien was frequently paired with Hollywood legend James Cagney. O’Brien has also performed on stage and on television.
O’Brien was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1899 to an Irish-American Catholic family.
Patrick O’Brien’s four grandparents were all from Ireland.
The O’Briens originated in County Cork. Patrick O’Brien, after whom he was named, was an architect who was killed while attempting to break up a saloon brawl in New York City.
Patrick O’Brien’s parents, the McGoverns, left County Galway in western Ireland in the mid-to late-nineteenth century.
Growing up in Milwaukee, O’Brien worked as an altar boy at Gesu Church.
Patrick O’Brien went to Marquette Academy with fellow actor and lifelong friend Spencer Tracy.
Patrick O’Brien and Tracy joined the United States Navy during World War I.
Patrick O’Brien spent a decade performing in Broadway, and New York City plays.
Patrick O’Brien made his film debut in The Nightingale, a Vitaphone Varieties short film produced in New York and released in August 1930.
In the original version of The Front Page, Patrick O’Brien played ace reporter Hildy Johnson opposite Adolphe Menjou.
The National Film Preservation Board selected this film for preservation in the Library of Congress’s National Film Registry in 2010 as culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.
Patrick O'Brien's Appearance (Height, Hair, Eyes & More)
| Height | 1.80 m |
|---|---|
| Weight | NA |
| Hair Color | NA |
| Eye Color | Black |
| Body Type | Fit |
| Sexual Orientation | Straight |
Facts About Patrick O'Brien
| Nationality | American |
|---|---|
| Estimate Net Worth | $1.5 million |
| Religion | NA |
| Zodiac Sign | Scorpio |
| Birthplace | Milwaukee |
| Birthday | November 11, 1899 |
References
- Pat O’Brien, retrieved from https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0002285/
- Pat O’Brien Net Worth, retrieved from https://www.idolnetworth.com/pat-o-brien-net-worth-176131
- Pat O’Brien, retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/biography/Pat-OBrien
Pat O’Brien (actor), retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pat_O%27Brien_(actor)