Dave O'Brien
Acting • Born 1912-05-31 – Died 1969-11-08
Biography
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Dave O'Brien (born David Poole Fronabarger, May 31, 1912 – November 8, 1969) was an American film actor, director, and writer. O'Brien was best known to movie audiences in the 1940s as the hero of the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer comedy short film series Pete Smith Specialties narrated by Pete Smith. O'Brien wrote and directed many of these subjects under the name David Barclay. He also appeared in many low-budget Westerns, often billed as Tex O'Brien. In 1942, O'Brien starred in the movie serial Captain Midnight. Modern audiences perhaps best remember O'Brien as a frantic dope addict in the 1936 low-budget exploitation film Tell Your Children (better known under its reissue title, Reefer Madness). As a writer for The Red Skelton Show, O'Brien shared an Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series in 1961 and shared a nomination for the same award in 1963. O'Brien died, aged 57, of a heart attack while competing in a yachting race.
Filmography
181 credits
Welcome Home
Movie • 1935
Stanley Phillips
The Devil Bat
Movie • 1940
Johnny Layton
Million Dollar Racket
Movie • 1937
Johnny Henessey
Spooks Run Wild
Movie • 1941
Jeff Dixon
Song of the Buckaroo
Movie • 1938
Tex Alden
Tell Your Children
Movie • 1938
Ralph
Those Good Old Days
Movie • 1949
Man's Country
Movie • 1938
Bat
Bowery at Midnight
Movie • 1942
Det. Pete Crawford
Born to Be Wild
Movie • 1938
Trucker (uncredited)
The Sign of the Cross
Movie • 1932
Christian on Stairway (uncredited)
Neighbor Pests
Movie • 1947
The Secret of Treasure Island
Movie • 1938
Det. Jameson [Chs. 4-7]
Let's Cogitate
Movie • 1948
Oliver T. Aseltafel
Trigger Smith
Movie • 1939
Duke
The Kettles in the Ozarks
Movie • 1956
Conductor
Buzzy and the Phantom Pinto
Movie • 1941
Jim Dana
Flying Wild
Movie • 1941
Tom Lawson
On the Spot
Movie • 1940
Charlie
Forbidden Trails
Movie • 1941
Jim Cramer
Frontier Scout
Movie • 1938
Steve Norris
Riders of the Sage
Movie • 1939
Tom Martin
Whirlwind Horseman
Movie • 1938
Henchman Slade
Wonder Bar
Movie • 1934
Chorus Boy (uncredited)
Crashing Thru
Movie • 1939
Fred Chambers
Gangsters of the Frontier
Movie • 1944
Dave Wyatt
Enemy of the Law
Movie • 1945
Dave Wyatt
Frontier Fugitives
Movie • 1945
Dave Wyatt
The Phantom of 42nd Street
Movie • 1945
Tony Woolrich
Consolation Marriage
Movie • 1931
Man Picking Up Stack of Newspapers (uncredited)
Down Texas Way
Movie • 1942
Dave Dodge
The Man Who Walked Alone
Movie • 1945
Marion Scott
Queen of the Yukon
Movie • 1940
Bob Adams
The Black Coin
Movie • 1936
Terry Navarro
Law and Order
Movie • 1942
Jeff Travis
Brothers of the West
Movie • 1937
Bart
Daughter of the Tong
Movie • 1939
Jerry Morgan
Where the Buffalo Roam
Movie • 1938
Jeff Gray
Utah Trail
Movie • 1938
Mason - Bookkeeper
The Singing Cowgirl
Movie • 1938
Dick Williams
One Man's Journey
Movie • 1933
Dance Extra (uncredited)
42nd Street: From Book to Screen to Stage
Movie • 2006
Self (archive footage)
Gun Packer
Movie • 1938
Red Baker - Henchman
Out for Fun
Movie • 1954
Businessman Seeking Relaxation
Phantom Rancher
Movie • 1940
Henchman Lucke
Drifting Westward
Movie • 1939
Henchman Trigger
Flaming Lead
Movie • 1939
Frank Gordon
Captain Midnight
Movie • 1942
Captain Albright / Captain Midnight
Good News
Movie • 1930
Student
T.V. of Tomorrow
Movie • 1953
Man on TV
Hot Saturday
Movie • 1932
Party Guest (Uncredited)
Buried Alive
Movie • 1939
Carson
Water Rustlers
Movie • 1939
Bob Lawson
Flying High
Movie • 1931
Dancer (uncredited)
Woman Wanted
Movie • 1935
Steve - Tap Dancer at Baxter's Party (uncredited)
College Humor
Movie • 1933
Student
The Whispering Skull
Movie • 1944
Dave Wyatt
On Your Toes
Movie • 1939
Man in Audience
Roar of the Dragon
Movie • 1932
Submarine Crewman
Guns of the Law
Movie • 1944
Tex Wyatt
Code of the Cactus
Movie • 1939
Bob Swane
Outlaws' Paradise
Movie • 1939
Henchman Meggs
Undercover Agent
Movie • 1939
Billiards Player
Wyoming Outlaw
Movie • 1939
Acacia Park Game Warden
New Frontier
Movie • 1939
Jason Braddock
Fighting Mad
Movie • 1939
Constable Kelly
The Fighting Renegade
Movie • 1939
Dr. Jerry Leonard
The Arizona Kid
Movie • 1939
Soldier
Mutiny in the Big House
Movie • 1939
Daniels
Billy the Kid Wanted
Movie • 1941
Jeff
Double Trouble
Movie • 1941
Sparky Barton
The Pinto Bandit
Movie • 1944
Tex Wyatt
Texas Wildcats
Movie • 1939
Ed Arden
Danger Ahead
Movie • 1940
Corporal Kelly
Murder on the Yukon
Movie • 1940
Constable Kelly
The Texas Marshal
Movie • 1941
Buzz Weston
Yukon Flight
Movie • 1940
Constable Kelly
Sky Bandits
Movie • 1940
Constable Kelly
Rollin' Westward
Movie • 1939
Ranch hand Red
Trail of Terror
Movie • 1943
Tex Wyatt / Curly Wyatt
Tahiti Nights
Movie • 1944
Jack
Bad Men of Thunder Gap
Movie • 1943
Tex Wyatt
The Adventures of Frank Merriwell
Movie • 1936
George Baldwin
Things We Can Do Without
Movie • 1953
Thaddeus E. Thud III
Carry Harry
Movie • 1942
Arthur - Harry's Friend
Boys of the City
Movie • 1940
Knuckles Dolan
That Gang of Mine
Movie • 1940
Knuckles Dolan
Search for Beauty
Movie • 1934
Talent Contestant (uncredited)
East Side Kids
Movie • 1940
Knuckles Dolan
Prisoner of Japan
Movie • 1942
U. S. Marine
'Neath Brooklyn Bridge
Movie • 1942
Sgt. Phil Lyons
Ain't It Aggravatin'
Movie • 1954
Parking Space Hog / Apartment House Manager / Frugal Man / Harry Hollowhead
Did'ja Know?
Movie • 1950
Expectant Father / Greeting Card Shopper / Hospital Patient / Job Applicant
The Rangers Take Over
Movie • 1942
Tex Wyatt
The Gunman From Bodie
Movie • 1941
Joe Martin
Rough Riding Rhythm
Movie • 1937
Detective Waters
The Cowboy from Sundown
Movie • 1940
Steve Davis
Student Tour
Movie • 1934
Student
Tomorrow's Children
Movie • 1934
Interne (uncredited)
Sitting Pretty
Movie • 1933
Assistant Cameraman (uncredited)
Gift of Gab
Movie • 1934
Dancer (uncredited)
College Coach
Movie • 1933
Student on Tennis Court (uncredited)
Son of the Navy
Movie • 1940
Nelson
Isle Of Destiny
Movie • 1940
Whitey - Navy Radio Man
Movie Pests
Movie • 1944
Feet-in-the-Aisle Pest
The Fall Guy
Movie • 1955
Himself as Various Characters (archive footage)
Sure Cures
Movie • 1946
Xavier T. Schneckendorf
I Love My Husband, But!
Movie • 1946
The Husband
Hold That Woman!
Movie • 1940
Miles Hanover
Equestrian Quiz: What's Your I.Q.? No. 11
Movie • 1946
Horace
Murder at the Vanities
Movie • 1934
Chorus Boy (uncredited)
We're Rich Again
Movie • 1934
Pete (uncredited)
Doubting Thomas
Movie • 1935
Member of Audience
Is My Face Red?
Movie • 1932
Chorus Boy (uncredited)
Pick-up
Movie • 1933
Party Boy (uncredited)
The Girl on the Front Page
Movie • 1936
Nightclub Patron
The Deadly Game
Movie • 1941
Ralph Spencer
Border Buckaroos
Movie • 1943
Tex Wyatt
Boss of Rawhide
Movie • 1943
Tex Wyatt
The Spider Returns
Movie • 1941
Jackson, Wentworth's Aide
Billy the Kid's Smoking Guns
Movie • 1942
Jeff
Studio Visit
Movie • 1946
O'Brien
Sheriff of Sage Valley
Movie • 1942
Jeff
Billy the Kid in Santa Fe
Movie • 1941
Texas Joe
Gun Code
Movie • 1940
Henchman Gale
Fighting Valley
Movie • 1943
Tex Wyatt
The Return of the Rangers
Movie • 1943
Tex Wyatt
West of Texas
Movie • 1943
Tex Wyatt
Brand of the Devil
Movie • 1944
Tex Wyatt
Dead or Alive
Movie • 1944
Dave Wyatt
Outlaw Roundup
Movie • 1944
Tex Wyatt
Marked for Murder
Movie • 1945
Dave Wyatt
Gunsmoke Mesa
Movie • 1944
Tex Wyatt
Spook Town
Movie • 1944
Tex Wyatt
Three in the Saddle
Movie • 1945
Dave Wyatt
Flaming Bullets
Movie • 1945
Dave Wyatt / Steve Carson
Starlight Over Texas
Movie • 1938
Henchman
The Desperados Are in Town
Movie • 1956
Dock Lapman / Mr. Brown
Murder by Invitation
Movie • 1941
Michael, the chauffeur
Lightnin' Crandall
Movie • 1937
Tommy Shannon
The Dawn Patrol
Movie • 1930
Pilot (uncredited)
I Love My Wife BUT!
Movie • 1947
The Husband
A Wife's Life
Movie • 1950
George T. Hardnose (uncredited)
I Love My Mother-In-Law But...
Movie • 1948
The Son-In-Law / Husband
Cash Stashers
Movie • 1953
A Shmoe Named Joe
I Love Children, But!
Movie • 1952
The Daddy
Just What I Needed
Movie • 1955
Harry Horseknuckle
The Man Around the House
Movie • 1955
Hugo Hightonsil (uncredited)
Rasputin and the Empress
Movie • 1932
Soldier (uncredited)
Wrong Way Butch
Movie • 1950
Butch
You Can't Win
Movie • 1948
Harried Homeowner
Do Someone a Favor!
Movie • 1954
George Dibson
That's Entertainment, Part II
Movie • 1976
(archive footage)
Just Suppose
Movie • 1948
Husband (uncredited)
Reducing
Movie • 1952
Man on Bench (uncredited)
Have You Ever Wondered?
Movie • 1947
Husband / Driver / Man at Gumball Machine / Toupee Wearer
Victory Quiz
Movie • 1942
Calling All Pa's
Movie • 1942
Joe Thunderstruck
Safety Sleuth
Movie • 1944
Careless Man
King of the Stallions
Movie • 1942
Treasures from Trash
Movie • 1946
Alonzo T. Mousebrain
The Big Parade of Comedy
Movie • 1964
Actor in the Pete Smith Shorts (archive footage)
70,000 Witnesses
Movie • 1932
Football Player (uncredited)
Ship Cafe
Movie • 1935
Young Man (uncredited)
Seventh Column
Movie • 1943
Falstaff Pratt the Indestructible Man
Kiss Me Kate
Movie • 1953
Ralph
Wanted - A Master
Movie • 1936
Dog's Master (uncredited)
No More Ladies
Movie • 1935
Party Guest (uncredited)
Sportsman's Memories
Movie • 1944
Fabian Tecumseh 'Joe' Funk (uncredited)
Tennessee Champ
Movie • 1954
Luke MacWade
The Yanks Are Coming
Movie • 1942
Sgt. Callahan
She Married Her Boss
Movie • 1935
Shopper
Madam Satan
Movie • 1930
Zeppelin Reveler
What About Daddy?
Movie • 1942
The Husband
Devil and the Deep
Movie • 1932
Submarine Crewman (uncredited)
Music in the Air
Movie • 1934
Karl Roder (singing voice) (uncredited)
The World Changes
Movie • 1933
Otto Peterson (uncredited)
Lover Come Back
Movie • 1931
Pool Party Boy (uncredited)
Meet the O'Briens
Movie • 1954
Dave
MGM Parade
TV • 1955
MGM Parade
TV • 1955
Self