Dan O'Herlihy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dan O'Herlihy
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O'Herlihy in 1956
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| Born |
Daniel Peter O'Herlihy
May 1, 1919 Wexford, County Wexford, Ireland
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| Died | February 17, 2005 (aged 85) Malibu, California, U.S.
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| Citizenship | Ireland United States (1983–2005) |
| Alma mater | University College Dublin |
| Occupation | Actor, voice actor |
| Years active | 1944–1998 |
| Spouse(s) |
Elsa Bennett
(m. 1945) |
| Children | 5, including Gavan O'Herlihy and Lorcan O'Herlihy |
Daniel Peter O'Herlihy (born May 1, 1919 – died February 17, 2005) was a talented actor from Ireland. He starred in many films, TV shows, and even radio plays. People often remembered him for his clear speaking voice and dignified look. He played famous characters like Robinson Crusoe, General Black in Fail Safe, and "The Old Man" in RoboCop. He was even nominated for an Academy Award for his role in Robinson Crusoe.
Early Life and Education
Dan O'Herlihy was born in Wexford, Ireland, in 1919. When he was young, his family moved to Dublin. He went to Christian Brothers College and then studied at University College Dublin. He graduated in 1944 with a degree in architecture, just like his father.
While at university, Dan became very interested in acting. He joined several amateur theater groups. He also joined the Abbey Theatre as a small-part actor. After finishing university, he decided to become a full-time actor. He worked at the Abbey Theatre and Gate Theatre, first designing sets and later acting.
Acting Career
Dan O'Herlihy's first acting job was in 1944. He played the main role in the Gate Theatre's play Red Roses For Me. This play was written and directed by Seán O'Casey. Dan appeared in about 50 plays at the Gate Theatre.
His first movie role was in Carol Reed's Odd Man Out in 1947. This movie was filmed in Belfast. He also did a lot of work in radio. His first American movie role was as Macduff in Orson Welles's Macbeth in 1948.
In 1954, he starred in Luis Buñuel's movie Robinson Crusoe. For this role, he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor. O'Herlihy later shared that the movie producers wanted a different actor. But Buñuel insisted on O'Herlihy for the part.
Dan O'Herlihy continued to act in many important films:
- In 1959, he played Judge Millard Isham in The Young Land.
- In 1960, he was Sir Harry Ivers in the western movie One Foot in Hell.
- In 1964, he played General Black in Fail Safe.
- In 1970, he starred in the big movie Waterloo, playing Marshal Ney.
- In 1982, he was Conal Cochran in Halloween III: Season of the Witch.
- In 1984, he appeared as Grig in The Last Starfighter. Grig was a reptilian co-pilot and sidekick.
- In 1987, he played "The Old Man" in RoboCop. He returned to this role in the 1990 sequel, RoboCop 2.
- In 1987, he was also in John Huston's movie The Dead.
O'Herlihy also had a long career in television. He appeared in many popular TV shows, including:
- Rawhide
- The DuPont Show with June Allyson
- Adventures in Paradise
- The Untouchables
- Bonanza
- The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
- Route 66
In 1974, he was in the miniseries QB VII. He also played Colonel Max Dodd in the BBC's POW drama Colditz. In 1978, he was Dr. Ravishol in an episode of Battlestar Galactica. He also played Andrew Packard in the TV show Twin Peaks (1991). His last film role was in 1998, playing Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. in The Rat Pack.
Personal Life
Dan O'Herlihy married Elsie Bennett in 1945. He was the brother of director Michael O'Herlihy. Dan was also the father of actor Gavan O'Herlihy, visual artist Olwen O'Herlihy, and architect Lorcan O'Herlihy. He and his wife had nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. One of his grandchildren, Mica O'Herlihy, is a filmmaker. Another grandchild, Alana O'Herlihy, is a photographer and director.
Dan O'Herlihy became a citizen of the United States in 1983.
Death
Dan O'Herlihy passed away from natural causes in Malibu, California, in 2005. He was 85 years old. His personal papers are kept at the University College Dublin Archives.
See also
In Spanish: Dan O'Herlihy para niños
