Patrick O'Neal (actor) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Patrick O'Neal
O'Neal in 1968
Born	Patrick Wisdom O'Neal (1927-09-26)September 26, 1927 Ocala, Florida, U.S.
Died	September 9, 1994(1994-09-09) (aged 66) Manhattan, New York, U.S.
Education	Riverside Military Academy Ocala High School University of Florida
Occupation	Actor restaurateur
Years active	1952–1994
Spouse(s)	Cynthia Baxter ​ (m. 1956)​
Children	2
Military career
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Air Force
Years of service	1952–53

Patrick Wisdom O'Neal (born September 26, 1927, died September 9, 1994) was an American actor. He also owned several successful restaurants. He was known for his many roles in movies and TV shows over four decades.

Early Life and Education

Patrick O'Neal was born in Ocala, Florida. His parents were Martha and Coke Wisdom O'Neal. He went to Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville, Georgia. He also attended Ocala High School.

After high school, he studied drama at the University of Florida. While in college, he joined a theater group called the Florida Players. He was also the editor of the university yearbook.

After college, O'Neal joined the United States Air Force. He served during the Korean War. During his time in the Air Force, he directed short training films. After 15 months, he moved to New York City. There, he continued to study acting at the Actors Studio and Neighborhood Playhouse.

Acting Career Highlights

Patrick O'Neal appeared as a guest star on many television shows. This happened throughout the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. In the early 1960s, he earned praise for his main role in a Broadway play. This play was The Night of the Iguana by Tennessee Williams. However, the main role in the 1964 movie version went to another actor, Richard Burton.

In 1969, he had a big role in the movie The Kremlin Letter. He also had a supporting role in the western film El Condor. He appeared in the popular movie The Way We Were in 1973.

Notable TV Roles

O'Neal played a bad architect in a 1972 episode of Columbo. The episode was called "Blueprint for Murder." In 1978, he was on Columbo again. This time, he played a TV network boss in the episode "Make Me a Perfect Murder." In 1990, he played a dishonest police chief in the movie Q&A.

Restaurant Business

Patrick O'Neal also became a successful restaurant owner. He started this business in 1963 with his wife and his brother Michael. They owned several popular restaurants in Manhattan, New York City.

One of their first restaurants was "The Ginger Man." It was later renamed "O'Neal's." They also owned "The Landmark Tavern" and "O'Neal's Saloon." The name "O'Neal's Saloon" was quickly changed to "O'Neal's Baloon." This was because the word "Saloon" was not allowed after Prohibition. However, the neon sign for "Saloon" had already been made. All their restaurants were located on the West Side of Manhattan.

Personal Life and Family

Patrick O'Neal married actress Cynthia Baxter in 1956. They had two sons together, named Maximilian and Fitzjohn. They stayed married until Patrick O'Neal passed away.

Later Years and Passing

Patrick O'Neal died on September 9, 1994. He was almost 67 years old. He passed away from respiratory failure at Saint Vincent's Catholic Medical Center in Manhattan.

Selected Film and Television Roles

O'Neal in The Stepford Wives (1975)

Films

Television