Bryan O'Byrne | |
|---|---|
.JPG) O'Byrne inBlondie, 1968 | |
| Born | Bryan Jay O'Byrne (1931-02-06)February 6, 1931 Plattsburgh, New York, U.S. |
| Died | December 4, 2009(2009-12-04) (aged 78) Pacifica, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1958–1991 |
| Children | 1 |
Bryan Jay O'Byrne (February 6, 1931 – December 4, 2009) was an Americanfilm and televisioncharacter actor and acting coach. His credits include numeroustelevision shows,films and many television commercials.
O'Byrne was born on February 6, 1931, inPlattsburgh, New York, to Elmer and Bessie M. Ducatte O'Byrne. He was of Irish descent.[1]
He attended St. Peter's Elementary School and Plattsburgh High School. He received hisbachelor's degree fromPlattsburgh State.[1]
He had one marriage. His only son, Sean Kevin O'Byrne, died young.[2]
O'Byrne had served in the United States Army before becoming anelementary schoolteacher.[2] He later moved toNew York City to pursueacting. O'Byrne successfully entered the profession after starring in the Broadway production ofDuel of Angels opposite actressVivien Leigh in the late 1950s.[1]
He studied acting underStella Adler anddance withMartha Graham. He resided in the same New Yorkapartment building as actorsJames Farentino andMarlon Brando, befriending both of them early in their careers.[1]
O'Byrne soon moved toLos Angeles to pursue opportunities in film and television. O'Byrne credits during his career included numerous film and television roles.The Hollywood Reporter described many of his characters as "quiet,milquetoast."[3]Additionally, he appeared in more than 200television commercials.[1]
He was particular active within thetelevision industry during the 1960s and 1970s.[1] In 1962 O'Byrne appeared as Ned Carlin on the TV westernThe Virginian in the episode titled "The Accomplice."[citation needed] He appeared in six episodes ofGet Smart as Hodgkins, the assistant to the Chief.[3] O'Byrne played Dick Grayson's high schoolprincipal in the 1960sBatman television series.[1] He regularly appeared as a mortician inThe Munsters, as well as the seriesOccasional Wife, in which he played the "Man in the Middle,"[3] and as Mr. Beasley, themailman, inBlondie.[1] He made a guest appearance onPerry Mason in 1965 as murder victim Horace Lehigh in "The Case of the Baffling Bug." His other television credits included guest appearances onAlfred Hitchcock Presents,My Three Sons,The Cara Williams Show,Murder, She Wrote,The Bob Newhart Show,Happy Days,The Bill Cosby Show,The Partridge Family,Sanford and Son,Mama's Family andGunsmoke.[1] O'Byrne's film credits includedSpaceballs,Gunfight in Abilene,Marnie,The Shakiest Gun in the West,The Million Dollar Duck,Gus,Love at First Bite,The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again andZapped!.[1]
O'Byrne also worked as an acting teacher and coach to many early actors. Much of his instruction emphasizedrepetition andscene study.[1]Film studios sometimes recommended that younger actors work with O'Byrne to improve their performances.[1]
O'Byrne coached and mentored many then-unknown film and television actors.Forest Whitaker,Jimmy Smits andLou Diamond Phillips visited his acting classes early in their careers.[1] He also coached acting toPam Dawber,Christopher McDonald,Bonnie Bedelia,Bill Allen andMarj Dusay.[3]
In particular, O'Byrne is credited with launching the acting career ofNick Nolte.[1] O'Byrne, who often coached college students, was working with Nolte's college roommate at the time. O'Byrne asked Nolte, who was not an actor at the time, to read ascene they were working on.[1] O'Byrne reportedly recognized Nolte's talent and began coaching him as well. Nolte spent nearly a year sleeping on O'Byrne'scouch while working with him to become an actor.[1] O'Byrne cast Nolte in his production ofThe Last Pad, by playwrightWilliam Inge, which effectively launched Nolte's professional career.[1]
Professionally, O'Bryne was a member of theActors' Equity Association, theAmerican Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) and theScreen Actors Guild (SAG).[3] He served on theEmmy Nominating Committee, based in Los Angeles.[3]
O'Byrne retired from acting in the 1990s to care for his sister, Henrietta Bouyea, who was in failing health.[1][2] He moved toPacifica, California, after retiring, where he lived for the last sixteen years of his life.[2]
O'Byrne died on December 4, 2009, inPacifica, California, at the age of 78.[3] His funeral was held at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Pacifica.[2] ActorChristopher McDonald, a close friend and former student, read theeulogy at O'Byrne's funeral.[1]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Alfred Hitchcock Presents | Mr. Tuttle | Season 7 Episode 32: "Victim Four" |
| The Alfred Hitchcock Hour | Mr. Phelps | Season 1 Episode 7: "Annabel" | |
| 1963 | The Alfred Hitchcock Hour | Mr. Smith | Season 2 Episode 3: "Terror at Northfield" |
| 1964 | Dead Ringer | Mr. Beemas | Uncredited |
| One Man's Way | Organist | ||
| 1965 | Fluffy | Gambler | Uncredited |
| Perry Mason | Horce Lehigh | Season 9 Episode 13: "The Case of the Baffling Bug" | |
| 1967 | Gunfight in Abilene | Frobisher | |
| Who's Minding the Mint? | Maxwell | ||
| 1971 | The Million Dollar Duck | Bank Teller | |
| 1976 | Gus | Grocery Store Manager | |
| 1977 | The Car | Wally | |
| 1979 | Love at First Bite | Priest | |
| The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again | Photographer | ||
| 1980 | Hero at Large | Scientist | |
| 1982 | Zapped! | Father Murray | |
| 1987 | Spaceballs | Organist | |
| 1990 | Repossessed | Father Stills |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
