Frank O'Donovan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Frank O'Donovan
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| Born | 10 October 1900 |
| Died | 28 June 1974 (aged 73) |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Occupation | Actor, singer-songwriter |
| Television | The Riordans |
| Children |
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Frank O'Donovan was a famous Irish actor, singer, and songwriter. He was born on October 10, 1900, and passed away on June 28, 1974. Many people remember him for his role as Batty Brennan in The Riordans. This was Ireland's very first TV soap opera, and Frank played Batty for ten years!
Contents
Early Life and Career
Frank grew up in Dublin, Ireland. His family loved acting, and his brother Harry O'Donovan was also involved in amateur plays. This early interest helped shape Frank's future.
In the 1940s, Frank started his own acting group. For many years, he traveled all over Ireland and England. His shows were known as the "Frank O'Donovan Show" or the "Dublin Follies." These shows were very popular and brought joy to many audiences.
Frank O'Donovan's Music
While he was touring, Frank also wrote and sang many songs. In 1940, he recorded a song called "The Road by the River." This song became very popular and was later sung by many other Irish artists. For example, Margo O'Donnell had a big hit with it in 1968. T.R. Dallas also covered the song.
Another one of Frank's famous songs was "On the One Road." The Irish Army liked this song so much that they made it their official song in 1943. He also wrote other well-loved songs like "Sitting on the Bridge Below the Town" and "Little White Cross."
Acting in Films
Besides his stage shows and music, Frank also appeared in several films. He acted in:
- Murder in Eden (1961)
- Johnny Nobody (1961)
- The Quare Fellow (1962), which was based on a play by Brendan Behan
- Flight of the Doves (1971)
Family Life
Frank O'Donovan was married to an actress named Kitty McMahon. They had two daughters together. Their first daughter, Deirdre, was born in 1928. Their second daughter, Máirín, was born in 1936. Máirín O'Donovan followed in her parents' footsteps and became a talented singer, dancer, and actress. Frank was also a grandfather to five grandchildren and a great-grandfather to nine great-grandchildren.
Popular Songs by Frank O'Donovan
- "The Road by the River"
- "On the One Road"
- "Sitting on the Bridge Below the Town"
- "Little White Cross"
