About

Known credits:
253
Birthday:
1912-05-31
Place of birth:
Big Spring, Texas, USA
Website:
N/A

Dave O'Brien

Overview

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.

Known for

Acting
2006 42nd Street: From Book to Screen to Stage Actor Self (archive footage) 59
Average
1976 That's Entertainment, Part II Actor (archive footage) 59
Average
1964 The Big Parade of Comedy Actor Actor in the Pete Smith Shorts (archive footage) 59
Average
1956 The Desperados Are in Town Actor Dock Lapman / Mr. Brown N/A
N/A
1956 The Kettles in the Ozarks Actor Conductor 58
Average
1955 The Fall Guy Actor Himself as Various Characters (archive footage) 58
Average
1955 Just What I Needed Actor Harry Horseknuckle N/A
N/A
1955 The Man Around the House Actor Hugo Hightonsil (uncredited) N/A
N/A
1954 Out for Fun Actor Businessman Seeking Relaxation N/A
N/A
1954 Do Someone a Favor! Actor George Dibson N/A
N/A
1954 Tennessee Champ Actor Luke MacWade 58
Average
1954 Ain't It Aggravatin' Actor Parking Space Hog / Apartment House Manager / Frugal Man / Harry Hollowhead 59
Average
1953 Things We Can Do Without Actor Thaddeus E. Thud III 59
Average
1953 Kiss Me Kate Actor Ralph 59
Average
1953 Cash Stashers Actor A Shmoe Named Joe 58
Average
1953 T.V. of Tomorrow Actor Man on TV 59
Average
1952 I Love Children, But! Actor The Daddy N/A
N/A
1952 Reducing Actor Man on Bench (uncredited) 58
Average
1950 Wrong Way Butch Actor Butch 58
Average
1950 A Wife's Life Actor George T. Hardnose (uncredited) 59
Average
1950 Did'ja Know? Actor Expectant Father / Greeting Card Shopper / Hospital Patient / Job Applicant 59
Average
1949 Those Good Old Days Actor N/A
N/A
1948 Let's Cogitate Actor Oliver T. Aseltafel N/A
N/A
1948 Just Suppose Actor Husband (uncredited) 58
Average
1948 You Can't Win Actor Harried Homeowner 58
Average
1948 I Love My Mother-In-Law But... Actor The Son-In-Law / Husband 59
Average
1947 Have You Ever Wondered? Actor Husband / Driver / Man at Gumball Machine / Toupee Wearer N/A
N/A
1947 Neighbor Pests Actor N/A
N/A
1947 I Love My Wife BUT! Actor The Husband 59
Average
1946 I Love My Husband, But! Actor The Husband N/A
N/A
1946 Sure Cures Actor Xavier T. Schneckendorf 58
Average
1946 Treasures from Trash Actor Alonzo T. Mousebrain 59
Average
1946 Equestrian Quiz: What's Your I.Q.? No. 11 Actor Horace N/A
N/A
1946 Studio Visit Actor O'Brien 59
Average
1945 Flaming Bullets Actor Dave Wyatt / Steve Carson 59
Average
1945 Frontier Fugitives Actor Dave Wyatt N/A
N/A
1945 Three in the Saddle Actor Dave Wyatt N/A
N/A
1945 Enemy of the Law Actor Dave Wyatt 59
Average
1945 The Phantom of 42nd Street Actor Tony Woolrich 58
Average
1945 The Man Who Walked Alone Actor Marion Scott 59
Average
1945 Marked for Murder Actor Dave Wyatt 58
Average
1944 The Whispering Skull Actor Dave Wyatt 59
Average
1944 Tahiti Nights Actor Jack N/A
N/A
1944 Safety Sleuth Actor Careless Man N/A
N/A
1944 Dead or Alive Actor Dave Wyatt 59
Average
1944 Gangsters of the Frontier Actor Dave Wyatt 58
Average
1944 Gunsmoke Mesa Actor Tex Wyatt 58
Average
1944 Brand of the Devil Actor Tex Wyatt 59
Average
1944 Movie Pests Actor Feet-in-the-Aisle Pest 58
Average
1944 Spook Town Actor Tex Wyatt N/A
N/A
1944 The Pinto Bandit Actor Tex Wyatt N/A
N/A
1944 Sportsman's Memories Actor Fabian Tecumseh 'Joe' Funk (uncredited) N/A
N/A
1944 Guns of the Law Actor Tex Wyatt 59
Average
1944 Outlaw Roundup Actor Tex Wyatt N/A
N/A
1943 Boss of Rawhide Actor Tex Wyatt 59
Average
1943 The Return of the Rangers Actor Tex Wyatt N/A
N/A
1943 Trail of Terror Actor Tex Wyatt / Curly Wyatt N/A
N/A
1943 Fighting Valley Actor Tex Wyatt N/A
N/A
1943 Seventh Column Actor Falstaff Pratt the Indestructible Man N/A
N/A
1943 Border Buckaroos Actor Tex Wyatt N/A
N/A
1943 West of Texas Actor Tex Wyatt N/A
N/A
1943 Bad Men of Thunder Gap Actor Tex Wyatt N/A
N/A
1942 The Rangers Take Over Actor Tex Wyatt 59
Average
1942 'Neath Brooklyn Bridge Actor Sgt. Phil Lyons 59
Average
1942 The Yanks Are Coming Actor Sgt. Callahan 58
Average
1942 Bowery at Midnight Actor Det. Pete Crawford 58
Average
1942 Calling All Pa's Actor Joe Thunderstruck 58
Average
1942 King of the Stallions Actor 59
Average
1942 Carry Harry Actor Arthur - Harry's Friend 58
Average
1942 Sheriff of Sage Valley Actor Jeff 59
Average
1942 Law and Order Actor Jeff Travis N/A
N/A
1942 Prisoner of Japan Actor U. S. Marine 58
Average
1942 Down Texas Way Actor Dave Dodge 58
Average
1942 Victory Quiz Actor 58
Average
1942 Billy the Kid's Smoking Guns Actor Jeff 58
Average
1942 What About Daddy? Actor The Husband N/A
N/A
1942 Captain Midnight Actor Captain Albright / Captain Midnight 58
Average
1941 Forbidden Trails Actor Jim Cramer 58
Average
1941 Double Trouble Actor Sparky Barton N/A
N/A
1941 Spooks Run Wild Actor Jeff Dixon 58
Average
1941 Billy the Kid Wanted Actor Jeff 59
Average
1941 The Gunman From Bodie Actor Joe Martin 58
Average
1941 The Deadly Game Actor Ralph Spencer 58
Average
1941 The Texas Marshal Actor Buzz Weston N/A
N/A
1941 Billy the Kid in Santa Fe Actor Texas Joe 58
Average
1941 Murder by Invitation Actor Michael, the chauffeur 58
Average
1941 The Spider Returns Actor Jackson, Wentworth's Aide 58
Average
1941 Buzzy and the Phantom Pinto Actor Jim Dana N/A
N/A
1941 Flying Wild Actor Tom Lawson 59
Average
1940 The Devil Bat Actor Johnny Layton 57
Average
1940 That Gang of Mine Actor Knuckles Dolan 58
Average
1940 The Cowboy from Sundown Actor Steve Davis N/A
N/A
1940 Queen of the Yukon Actor Bob Adams 58
Average
1940 Gun Code Actor Henchman Gale N/A
N/A
1940 Boys of the City Actor Knuckles Dolan 58
Average
1940 Sky Bandits Actor Constable Kelly 58
Average
1940 Hold That Woman! Actor Miles Hanover 59
Average
1940 On the Spot Actor Charlie 59
Average
1940 Phantom Rancher Actor Henchman Lucke 58
Average
1940 Son of the Navy Actor Nelson 58
Average
1940 Isle Of Destiny Actor Whitey - Navy Radio Man 58
Average
1940 Murder on the Yukon Actor Constable Kelly 58
Average
1940 East Side Kids Actor Knuckles Dolan 58
Average
1940 Danger Ahead Actor Corporal Kelly N/A
N/A
1940 Yukon Flight Actor Constable Kelly 58
Average
1939 Crashing Thru Actor Fred Chambers N/A
N/A
1939 Buried Alive Actor Carson 58
Average
1939 Fighting Mad Actor Constable Kelly 59
Average
1939 Flaming Lead Actor Frank Gordon 58
Average
1939 Mutiny in the Big House Actor Daniels 58
Average
1939 On Your Toes Actor Man in Audience 58
Average
1939 The Arizona Kid Actor Soldier 58
Average
1939 The Fighting Renegade Actor Dr. Jerry Leonard 59
Average
1939 Daughter of the Tong Actor Jerry Morgan 58
Average
1939 New Frontier Actor Jason Braddock 58
Average
1939 Riders of the Sage Actor Tom Martin 59
Average
1939 Wyoming Outlaw Actor Acacia Park Game Warden 58
Average
1939 Undercover Agent Actor Billiards Player 58
Average
1939 Outlaws' Paradise Actor Henchman Meggs N/A
N/A
1939 Texas Wildcats Actor Ed Arden N/A
N/A
1939 Trigger Smith Actor Duke N/A
N/A
1939 Rollin' Westward Actor Ranch hand Red 58
Average
1939 Code of the Cactus Actor Bob Swane 59
Average
1939 Drifting Westward Actor Henchman Trigger N/A
N/A
1939 Water Rustlers Actor Bob Lawson 58
Average
1938 Song of the Buckaroo Actor Tex Alden N/A
N/A
1938 Gun Packer Actor Red Baker - Henchman N/A
N/A
1938 Where the Buffalo Roam Actor Jeff Gray 58
Average
1938 Frontier Scout Actor Steve Norris 59
Average
1938 Starlight Over Texas Actor Henchman N/A
N/A
1938 Utah Trail Actor Mason - Bookkeeper 59
Average
1938 Man's Country Actor Bat N/A
N/A
1938 Tell Your Children Actor Ralph 55
Average
1938 The Singing Cowgirl Actor Dick Williams 59
Average
1938 Whirlwind Horseman Actor Henchman Slade 59
Average
1938 The Secret of Treasure Island Actor Det. Jameson [Chs. 4-7] 58
Average
1938 Born to Be Wild Actor Trucker (uncredited) 58
Average
1937 Million Dollar Racket Actor Johnny Henessey 59
Average
1937 Rough Riding Rhythm Actor Detective Waters N/A
N/A
1937 Brothers of the West Actor Bart 59
Average
1937 Lightnin' Crandall Actor Tommy Shannon 58
Average
1936 Wanted - A Master Actor Dog's Master (uncredited) 58
Average
1936 The Girl on the Front Page Actor Nightclub Patron N/A
N/A
1936 The Black Coin Actor Terry Navarro 59
Average
1936 The Adventures of Frank Merriwell Actor George Baldwin 58
Average
1935 Ship Cafe Actor Young Man (uncredited) N/A
N/A
1935 She Married Her Boss Actor Shopper 58
Average
1935 Welcome Home Actor Stanley Phillips N/A
N/A
1935 Woman Wanted Actor Steve - Tap Dancer at Baxter's Party (uncredited) 58
Average
1935 Doubting Thomas Actor Member of Audience 59
Average
1935 No More Ladies Actor Party Guest (uncredited) 58
Average
1934 Student Tour Actor Student 59
Average
1934 Gift of Gab Actor Dancer (uncredited) 59
Average
1934 We're Rich Again Actor Pete (uncredited) 58
Average
1934 Tomorrow's Children Actor Interne (uncredited) 58
Average
1934 Murder at the Vanities Actor Chorus Boy (uncredited) 58
Average
1934 Wonder Bar Actor Chorus Boy (uncredited) 58
Average
1934 Search for Beauty Actor Talent Contestant (uncredited) 58
Average
1933 Sitting Pretty Actor Assistant Cameraman (uncredited) 58
Average
1933 College Coach Actor Student on Tennis Court (uncredited) 58
Average
1933 One Man's Journey Actor Dance Extra (uncredited) 59
Average
1933 College Humor Actor Student 58
Average
1933 Pick-up Actor Party Boy (uncredited) 58
Average
1932 Rasputin and the Empress Actor Soldier (uncredited) 58
Average
1932 The Sign of the Cross Actor Christian on Stairway (uncredited) 58
Average
1932 Hot Saturday Actor Party Guest (Uncredited) 59
Average
1932 70,000 Witnesses Actor Football Player (uncredited) 58
Average
1932 Devil and the Deep Actor Submarine Crewman (uncredited) 58
Average
1932 Roar of the Dragon Actor Submarine Crewman 59
Average
1932 Is My Face Red? Actor Chorus Boy (uncredited) 58
Average
1931 Consolation Marriage Actor Man Picking Up Stack of Newspapers (uncredited) 58
Average
1931 Flying High Actor Dancer (uncredited) 58
Average
1930 Madam Satan Actor Zeppelin Reveler 58
Average
1930 Good News Actor Student 58
Average
1930 The Dawn Patrol Actor Pilot (uncredited) 59
Average

Directing
1955 The Fall Guy Directing Director 58
Average
1955 Just What I Needed Directing Director N/A
N/A
1955 The Man Around the House Directing Director N/A
N/A
1954 Film Antics Directing Director 58
Average
1954 Out for Fun Directing Director N/A
N/A
1954 Do Someone a Favor! Directing Director N/A
N/A
1954 Ain't It Aggravatin' Directing Director 59
Average
1953 Things We Can Do Without Directing Director 59
Average
1953 Cash Stashers Directing Director 58
Average
1952 I Love Children, But! Directing Director N/A
N/A
1952 Reducing Directing Director 58
Average
1952 Musiquiz Directing Director 58
Average
1951 Bargain Madness Directing Director 59
Average
1951 Camera Sleuth Directing Director 59
Average
1950 Wrong Way Butch Directing Director 58
Average
1950 A Wife's Life Directing Director 59
Average
1950 Did'ja Know? Directing Director 59
Average
1950 Crashing the Movies Directing Director N/A
N/A
1950 Pest Control Directing Director N/A
N/A
1949 We Can Dream, Can't We? Directing Director N/A
N/A
1949 Those Good Old Days Directing Director N/A
N/A
1949 Super Cue Men Directing Director N/A
N/A
1948 Let's Cogitate Directing Director N/A
N/A
1948 Ice Aces Directing Director N/A
N/A
1948 Just Suppose Directing Director 58
Average
1948 You Can't Win Directing Director 58
Average
1948 I Love My Mother-In-Law But... Directing Director 59
Average
1948 Bowling Tricks Directing Director N/A
N/A
1947 Have You Ever Wondered? Directing Director N/A
N/A
1947 Surfboard Rhythm Directing Director N/A
N/A
1947 Football Thrills No. 10 Directing Director N/A
N/A
1947 Neighbor Pests Directing Director N/A
N/A
1947 I Love My Wife BUT! Directing Director 59
Average
1947 Early Sports Quiz: What's Your I.Q. No. 13 Directing Director N/A
N/A
1947 Diamond Demon Directing Director 58
Average
1946 I Love My Husband, But! Directing Director N/A
N/A
1946 Sure Cures Directing Director 58
Average
1946 Treasures from Trash Directing Director 59
Average
1946 Equestrian Quiz: What's Your I.Q.? No. 11 Directing Director N/A
N/A

Writing
1955 Just What I Needed Writing Screenplay N/A
N/A
1955 The Man Around the House Writing Screenplay N/A
N/A
1955 The Man Around the House Writing Story N/A
N/A
1954 Out for Fun Writing Writer N/A
N/A
1954 Do Someone a Favor! Writing Screenplay N/A
N/A
1954 Ain't It Aggravatin' Writing Story 59
Average
1953 Things We Can Do Without Writing Screenplay 59
Average
1953 Things We Can Do Without Writing Story 59
Average
1953 Cash Stashers Writing Story 58
Average
1953 Cash Stashers Writing Screenplay 58
Average
1953 Dogs 'n Ducks Writing Screenplay N/A
N/A
1953 Dogs 'n Ducks Writing Original Story N/A
N/A
1952 I Love Children, But! Writing Writer N/A
N/A
1952 Reducing Writing Screenplay 58
Average
1952 Reducing Writing Original Story 58
Average
1951 Bargain Madness Writing Writer 59
Average
1951 Camera Sleuth Writing Writer 59
Average
1950 Wrong Way Butch Writing Original Story 58
Average
1950 Wrong Way Butch Writing Screenplay 58
Average
1950 A Wife's Life Writing Screenplay 59
Average
1950 A Wife's Life Writing Story 59
Average
1950 Did'ja Know? Writing Screenplay 59
Average
1948 Ice Aces Writing Writer N/A
N/A
1948 Just Suppose Writing Writer 58
Average
1948 You Can't Win Writing Writer 58
Average
1948 I Love My Mother-In-Law But... Writing Screenplay 59
Average
1948 I Love My Mother-In-Law But... Writing Original Story 59
Average
1947 Have You Ever Wondered? Writing Writer N/A
N/A
1947 I Love My Wife BUT! Writing Screenplay 59
Average
1947 I Love My Wife BUT! Writing Story 59
Average
1947 Diamond Demon Writing Writer 58
Average
1946 I Love My Husband, But! Writing Screenplay N/A
N/A
1946 I Love My Husband, But! Writing Story N/A
N/A
1946 Sure Cures Writing Writer 58
Average
1946 Treasures from Trash Writing Screenplay 59
Average
1946 Equestrian Quiz: What's Your I.Q.? No. 11 Writing Writer N/A
N/A

Crew
1941 The Iron Claw Crew Stunts 59
Average
1941 Sky Raiders Crew Stunts 59
Average
1938 The Spider's Web Crew Stunts 58
Average