Arthur O'Connell facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Arthur O'Connell
From Bus Stop (1956)
Born	(1908-03-29)March 29, 1908 New York City, NY, U.S.
Died	May 18, 1981(1981-05-18) (aged 73) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Resting place	Calvary Cemetery in Queens, New York
Occupation	Stage, film, and television actor
Years active	1929–1981
Spouse(s)	Ann Hall Dunlop ​ ​ (m. 1962; div. 1972)​

Arthur Joseph O'Connell (born March 29, 1908 – died May 18, 1981) was an American actor. He worked in plays, movies, and on television. He became well-known in the 1950s for playing interesting supporting characters. He was even nominated for an Oscar twice. This was for his roles in the movies Picnic (1955) and Anatomy of a Murder (1959).

Early Life and Challenges

Arthur O'Connell was born in Manhattan, New York. His birthday was March 29, 1908. His parents were Julia and Michael O'Connell. Arthur was the youngest of four children.

Sadly, his father passed away when Arthur was only two years old. His mother died when he was 12. After his father's death, Arthur went to live with his aunt in Flushing, New York. His older brother, William, later became a judge.

Arthur went to St. John's College for two years. Before becoming an actor, he had several jobs. He worked for an electric company and as a salesman at Macy's department store. He also sold magazines door-to-door.

Becoming an Actor

Arthur O'Connell started acting in 1929. He got a role in a summer play in Massachusetts. In 1934, he became very sick with a brain infection. This meant he had to stay in the hospital for seven months.

After getting better, he went through some tough times. He lived in a cheap room and needed help to get by. He ate simple foods like milk, eggs, and bananas.

First Steps in Acting

In the mid-1930s, Arthur began acting on stage. He performed in plays and vaudeville shows in the U.S. and London. He also had small roles in movies. His first film was Freshman Year (1938). He even appeared as a reporter in the famous movie Citizen Kane (1941).

In 1945, he joined the army and worked in the Signal Corps. After the army, he was discovered by actor Charles Laughton. Arthur then joined a group that performed Shakespeare's plays. He continued to get small movie roles. For example, he played a detective in The Naked City (1948).

Big Break with Picnic

Arthur O'Connell in Bus Stop (1956)

Arthur's career really took off on Broadway. He played Howard Bevans in the play Picnic. Howard was a middle-aged man who liked a schoolteacher. Arthur then played the same role in the 1955 movie version of Picnic. His performance earned him an Oscar nomination.

Because of his great acting in Picnic, everyone wanted him for new roles. He got "six good roles very quickly." He made more money in one year after Picnic than in the previous 25 years!

More Movie Success

After Picnic, Arthur appeared in another movie called Bus Stop in 1956. He played a sensible friend to the main character. That same year, he was in The Solid Gold Cadillac. He played a kind office manager who was in love with Judy Holliday.

In 1959, he got his second Oscar nomination. This was for his role as James Stewart's mentor in Anatomy of a Murder. He often played father figures in movies with popular teen stars. These included Elvis Presley, Pat Boone, and Fabian.

In 1959, Arthur played Chief Petty Officer Sam Tostin. This was in the World War II submarine movie Operation Petticoat. He acted alongside Cary Grant and Tony Curtis. In 1961, he played Grandpa Clarence Beebe in Misty. This children's movie was based on a popular book.

He played Elvis Presley's father in two movies: Follow That Dream (1962) and Kissin' Cousins (1964). In 1964, he also played Clint Stark in The 7 Faces of Dr. Lao. This movie became a cult classic. Arthur was the only actor besides Tony Randall to play one of the "7 faces."

Arthur continued to get good roles in TV shows and movies in the 1960s. He was careful about choosing TV roles. He wanted to make sure he would be a top star in any series.

Television Appearances

On Christmas Day, 1962, Arthur was in an episode of the western series Empire. In 1966, he guest-starred in Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea. He played a scientist who created a powerful robot. In 1967, he was in an episode of Lassie. He played an old park ranger who was sad to lose his job.

In 1967, Arthur starred with Monte Markham in The Second Hundred Years. He played an old man whose gold miner father was frozen for a hundred years. The show lasted for one season.

Arthur also appeared in commercials. He played a friendly pharmacist for Crest toothpaste. His last movie role was in The Hiding Place (1975). He played a Dutch watchmaker who helped hide Jewish people during World War II. He had to stop acting in the mid-1970s because of Alzheimer's disease.

Personal Life

In the late 1950s, Arthur O'Connell owned a race horse named April Love. He owned it with singer Pat Boone.

In 1962, Arthur married Ann Hall Dunlop. They met at the inauguration of President John F. Kennedy. They divorced in 1972.

Arthur O'Connell passed away on May 18, 1981. He died from Alzheimer's disease in Los Angeles. He was buried in Calvary Cemetery, Queens, New York.

Filmography

See also

In Spanish: Arthur O'Connell para niños