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Donald O'Connor

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Donald O'Connor

Donald David Dixon Ronald O'Connor (August 28, 1925 – September 27, 2003) was an American dancer, singer and actor. He came to fame in a series of films in which he co-starred, in succession, with Gloria Jean, Peggy Ryan, and Francis the Talking Mule. O'Connor was born into a vaudeville family, where he learned to dance, sing, play comedy, and perform slapstick. The most distinctive characteristic of his dancing style was its athleticism, for which he had few rivals. Yet it was his boyish charm that audiences found most engaging, and which remained an appealing aspect of his personality throughout his career. In his Universal musicals of the early 1940s, O'Connor was a wisecracking, fast-talking teenager, much like Mickey Rooney of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. But by 1952 and Singin' in the Rain, MGM had cultivated a much more sympathetic sidekick persona for him, and that remained O'Connor's signature image. His best-known work was his "Make 'Em Laugh" dance routine in Singin' in the Rain (1952), for which O'Connor was awarded a Golden Globe. He also won a Primetime Emmy Award from four nominations and received two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Infobox

Born
Donald David Dixon Ronald O'Connor(1925-08-28)August 28, 1925Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Died
September 27, 2003(2003-09-27) (aged 78)Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupations
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Years active
1932–1999
Spouses
mw- Gwen Carter (m. 1944; div. 1954) Gloria Noble (m. 1956)
Children
4

Tables

· Filmography › Film
1937
Melody for Two
Role(s)
Specialty Act
Notes
Uncredited
Role(s)
Kid Dancer
1938
Role(s)
Young Pat Falconer
Role(s)
Mike Beebe
Role(s)
Butch Baker
Role(s)
Huckleberry Finn
1939
Role(s)
Butch
Role(s)
Young Ted Streaver
Role(s)
Sticky Boone
Role(s)
Young Beau Geste
Role(s)
Butch Smiley
Role(s)
Small Fry
Role(s)
Young Phil Dolan Jr.
1942
Role(s)
Tommy
Role(s)
Donny
Role(s)
Don
Role(s)
Jimmy Arnold
Role(s)
Frankie Flanagan
1943
Role(s)
Ricky Ives
Role(s)
Donald J. O'Connor, Esq.
Role(s)
Don Warren
1944
Role(s)
Donald Corrigan
Role(s)
Donald O'Connor
Role(s)
Jimmy Plum
Role(s)
Pat Donahue Jr.
Role(s)
Jimmy Monahan
Role(s)
Specialty Number #1
1947
Role(s)
Charlie Read
1948
Role(s)
Milton Haskins
Role(s)
Wilbur McMurty
1949
Role(s)
William Waldo Winfield
Screen Snapshots: Motion Picture Mothers, Inc.
Role(s)
Himself
Notes
Short film
1950
Role(s)
Peter Stirling
Role(s)
Edward Timmons
Role(s)
Roger Bradley
1951
Role(s)
Davey Crandall
Role(s)
Peter Stirling
1952
Role(s)
Cosmo Brown
Role(s)
Peter Stirling
1953
Role(s)
Kenneth Gibson
Role(s)
Melvin Hoover
Role(s)
Peter Stirling
Role(s)
Clarence 'Jigger' Millard
1954
Role(s)
Peter Stirling
1955
Role(s)
Lt. Peter Stirling/Slicker Donovan
1956
Role(s)
Ted Adams
1957
Role(s)
Buster Keaton
1961
Role(s)
Murray Prince
Role(s)
Aladdin
1965
Role(s)
Harvey Granson
1974
Just One More Time
Role(s)
Himself
Notes
Short film/uncredited
1978
Role(s)
Francis Joins the Navy
1981
Role(s)
Dance Instructor
1982
Role(s)
Mr. Dandy
1989
A Time to Remember
Role(s)
Father Walsh
1992
Role(s)
Kenneth Zevo
1994
Role(s)
Uncle Cyrus
1996
Father Frost
Role(s)
Baba Yaga
1997
Role(s)
Jonathan Devereaux
Year
Title
Role
Notes
1937
Melody for Two
Specialty Act
Uncredited
It Can't Last Forever
Kid Dancer
1938
Men with Wings
Young Pat Falconer
Sing You Sinners
Mike Beebe
Sons of the Legion
Butch Baker
Tom Sawyer, Detective
Huckleberry Finn
1939
Boy Trouble
Butch
Unmarried
Young Ted Streaver
Million Dollar Legs
Sticky Boone
Beau Geste
Young Beau Geste
Night Work
Butch Smiley
Death of a Champion
Small Fry
On Your Toes
Young Phil Dolan Jr.
1942
What's Cookin'?
Tommy
Private Buckaroo
Donny
Give Out, Sisters
Don
Get Hep to Love
Jimmy Arnold
When Johnny Comes Marching Home
Frankie Flanagan
1943
It Comes Up Love
Ricky Ives
Mister Big
Donald J. O'Connor, Esq.
Top Man
Don Warren
1944
Chip Off the Old Block
Donald Corrigan
Follow the Boys
Donald O'Connor
This Is the Life
Jimmy Plum
Patrick the Great
Pat Donahue Jr.
The Merry Monahans
Jimmy Monahan
Bowery to Broadway
Specialty Number
1947
Something in the Wind
Charlie Read
1948
Are You With It?
Milton Haskins
Feudin', Fussin', and A-Fightin'
Wilbur McMurty
1949
Yes Sir That's My Baby
William Waldo Winfield
Screen Snapshots: Motion Picture Mothers, Inc.
Himself
Short film
1950
Francis
Peter Stirling
Curtain Call at Cactus Creek
Edward Timmons
The Milkman
Roger Bradley
1951
Double Crossbones
Davey Crandall
Francis Goes to the Races
Peter Stirling
1952
Singin' in the Rain
Cosmo Brown
Francis Goes to West Point
Peter Stirling
1953
Call Me Madam
Kenneth Gibson
I Love Melvin
Melvin Hoover
Francis Covers the Big Town
Peter Stirling
Walking My Baby Back Home
Clarence 'Jigger' Millard
1954
Francis Joins the WACS
Peter Stirling
There's No Business Like Show Business
Tim Donahue
1955
Francis in the Navy
Lt. Peter Stirling/Slicker Donovan
1956
Anything Goes
Ted Adams
1957
The Buster Keaton Story
Buster Keaton
1961
Cry for Happy
Murray Prince
· Filmography › Television
1950
Role(s)
Himself
Notes
Episode: "1x5"
1951–1954
Role(s)
Colgate Comedy Hour
Notes
20 episodes
1953-1962
Role(s)
The Ed Sullivan Show
Notes
3 episodes
1954
The Jimmy Durante Show
Role(s)
Episode: "1x1"
1954–1955
Role(s)
The Donald O'Connor Show
Notes
19 episodes
1956–1961
Role(s)
The Dinah Shore Chevy Show
Notes
2 episodes
1957
Role(s)
Himself/Dr. Robert Harrison
Notes
2 episodes: The Clouded Image & The Jet Propelled Couch
1958
Role(s)
Johnny Shaw
Notes
Episode: "The Red Mill"
Role(s)
Himself
Notes
Episode: "Friends of the Red Skelton Variety Show"
1959
Pontiac Star Parade
Role(s)
Himself
Notes
Television special
1962
Role(s)
Guest Host
Notes
5 episodes
1963
Role(s)
Himself
Notes
Episode: "1x7"
1964–1967
Role(s)
The Hollywood Palace
Notes
Host
1964
Role(s)
Notes
Director episode: "The Ladybugs"
The Bob Hope Thanksgiving Special
Role(s)
Himself
Notes
Television special
1964—1966
Role(s)
The Bell Telephone Hour
Notes
3 episodes
1964–1969
Role(s)
The Bob Hope Show
Notes
2 episodes
1966
Role(s)
Benjamin Boggs
Notes
Episode: "Brilliant Benjamin Boggs"
Role(s)
Donald Dugan
Notes
Episode: "The Hoofer"
Role(s)
Hermes
Notes
Episode: "Olympus 7-0000"
1967–1974
Role(s)
The Dean Martin Show
Notes
Himself
1968
and Debbie Makes Six
Role(s)
Television special
1968–1969
Role(s)
The Donald O'Connor Show
Notes
5 episodes
1969–1970
Role(s)
The Carol Burnett Show
Notes
2 episodes
1969
Role(s)
Charlie Ryan/Charlie Pineapple
Notes
Episode: "The Honeymooners: Hawaii, Oh! Oh!"
1970
The Engelbert Humperdinck Show
Role(s)
Himself
Notes
Episode: "1x1"
Role(s)
2 episodes
Role(s)
Episode: "1x10"
1971
Role(s)
General Bashington T. Bullmoose
Notes
Television special
1972
The Bobby Darin Amusement Company
Role(s)
Himself
Notes
Episode: "1x4"
1972–1973
Role(s)
The Julie Andrews Hour
Notes
2 episodes
1973
The Bobby Darin Show
Role(s)
Episode: "1x7"
1974
Role(s)
William
Notes
Episode: "Irreconcilable Sameness"
1975
Role(s)
Kenneth Freeman
Notes
Episode: "The Comic Book Crusader"
1976
Role(s)
Harry Anderson
Notes
Episode: "A Thing of the Past"
Role(s)
Holly Connor
Notes
Episode: "Payment Deferred"
Role(s)
Himself
Notes
Episode: "Donald O'Connor/Soupy Sales"
1977
Role(s)
Lou Martin
Notes
Episode: "The Costa Rican Connection"
1980
Lucy Moves to NBC
Role(s)
Himself
Notes
Television film
The Steve Allen Comedy Hour
Role(s)
Episode: "Donald O'Connor, Martin Mull, Joey Forman"
1981–1986
Role(s)
The Love Boat
Notes
Howard Enicker/Leo Halbert/Oscar Tilton
1981
Role(s)
Himself
Notes
Episode: "Guinness on Tap"
Role(s)
George M. Cohan
Notes
Episode: "The Last Great Vaudeville Show"
1982
Role(s)
Freddie the Clown
Notes
Episode: "The Clown"
Role(s)
Dr. Johnn Watson
Notes
Episode: "The Cast Against Mr. Roarke/Save Sherlock Holmes"
1983
Role(s)
George Decova/Barnaby the Great
Notes
Episode: "Grand Illusion"
Role(s)
Mock Turtle
Notes
Television film
Role(s)
David Connelly
Notes
Episode: "The Offer"
1985
Role(s)
Director
Notes
Episode: "The Deadly Vase"
Role(s)
The Lory Bird
Notes
Miniseries
1987
Role(s)
Jackie Clark
Notes
Episode: "Playing for Keeps"
A Mouse, a Mystery and Me
Role(s)
Alex the Mouse (voice)
Notes
Television special
1990
Role(s)
Barry Barnes
Notes
Episode: "The Big Show of 1965"
1992
Role(s)
Joseph Renfield
Notes
Episode: "Strung Along"
1993
Role(s)
Mr. Kennedy
Notes
Episode: "Father Knows Best"
1996
Role(s)
Harlow Safford
Notes
Episode: "Crane vs. Crane"
Role(s)
Fred
Notes
Episode: "Freida Needa Man"
Year
Title
Role
Notes
1950
All Star Revue
Himself
Episode: "1x5"
1951–1954
Colgate Comedy Hour
20 episodes
1953-1962
The Ed Sullivan Show
3 episodes
1954
The Jimmy Durante Show
Episode: "1x1"
1954–1955
The Donald O'Connor Show
19 episodes
1956–1961
The Dinah Shore Chevy Show
2 episodes
1957
Playhouse 90
Himself/Dr. Robert Harrison
2 episodes: The Clouded Image & The Jet Propelled Couch
1958
DuPont Show of the Month
Johnny Shaw
Episode: "The Red Mill"
The Red Skelton Hour
Himself
Episode: "Friends of the Red Skelton Variety Show"
1959
Pontiac Star Parade
Himself
Television special
1962
Tonight Starring Jack Paar
Guest Host
5 episodes
1963
The Judy Garland Show
Himself
Episode: "1x7"
1964–1967
The Hollywood Palace
Host
6 episodes
1964
Petticoat Junction
Director episode: "The Ladybugs"
The Bob Hope Thanksgiving Special
Himself
Television special
1964—1966
The Bell Telephone Hour
3 episodes
1964–1969
The Bob Hope Show
2 episodes
1966
The Chrysler Theatre
Benjamin Boggs
Episode: "Brilliant Benjamin Boggs"
Vacation Playhouse
Donald Dugan
Episode: "The Hoofer"
ABC Stage 67
Hermes
Episode: "Olympus 7-0000"
1967–1974
The Dean Martin Show
Himself
5 episodes
1968
and Debbie Makes Six
Television special
1968–1969
The Donald O'Connor Show
5 episodes
1969–1970
The Carol Burnett Show
2 episodes
1969
The Jackie Gleason Show
Charlie Ryan/Charlie Pineapple
Episode: "The Honeymooners: Hawaii, Oh! Oh!"
1970
The Engelbert Humperdinck Show
Himself
Episode: "1x1"
The Andy Williams Show
2 episodes
The Don Knotts Show
Episode: "1x10"
1971
Li'l Abner
General Bashington T. Bullmoose
Television special
1972
The Bobby Darin Amusement Company
Himself
Episode: "1x4"
1972–1973
The Julie Andrews Hour
2 episodes
1973
The Bobby Darin Show
Episode: "1x7"
1974
The Girl with Something Extra
William
Episode: "Irreconcilable Sameness"
1975
Ellery Queen
Kenneth Freeman
Episode: "The Comic Book Crusader"
1976
The Bionic Woman
Harry Anderson
Episode: "A Thing of the Past"
Police Story
Holly Connor
Episode: "Payment Deferred"
Tony Orlando and Dawn
Himself
Episode: "Donald O'Connor/Soupy Sales"
1977
Hunter
Lou Martin
Episode: "The Costa Rican Connection"
1980
Lucy Moves to NBC
Himself
Television film
The Steve Allen Comedy Hour
Episode: "Donald O'Connor, Martin Mull, Joey Forman"
1981–1986
The Love Boat
Howard Enicker/Leo Halbert/Oscar Tilton
3 episodes
1981
Alice
Himself
Episode: "Guinness on Tap"
Standing Room Only
George M. Cohan
Episode: "The Last Great Vaudeville Show"
1982
The Littlest Hobo
Freddie the Clown
Episode: "The Clown"
Fantasy Island
Dr. Johnn Watson
Episode: "The Cast Against Mr. Roarke/Save Sherlock Holmes"
1983
Simon and Simon
George Decova/Barnaby the Great
Episode: "Grand Illusion"
Alice in Wonderland
Mock Turtle
Television film
Hotel
David Connelly
Episode: "The Offer"
1985
Half Nelson
Director
Episode: "The Deadly Vase"

References

  1. Current Biography Yearbook 1955
    https://books.google.com/books?id=_JsYAAAAIAAJ&q=Effie+and+John+Edward+%22Chuck%22+O%27Connor
  2. Singin' in the rain : the making of an American masterpiece
    https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780700616565/page/45/mode/2up
  3. Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives
    http://www.encyclopedia.com/article-1G2-2875000221/oconnor-donald-david-dixon.html
  4. Vaudeville, Old and New: An Encyclopedia of Variety Performers in America
    https://books.google.com/books?id=XFnfnKg6BcAC&pg=PA840
  5. DONALD O'CONNOR Weekend All Things Considered; Washington, D.C. : 1. Washington, D.C.: NPR. (May 25, 1997)
  6. The New York Times
    https://archive.today/20130130112001/http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F20716FD3A590C7A8EDDA00894DB404482
  7. Singin' in the rain : the making of an American masterpiece
    https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780700616565/page/45/mode/2up
  8. DONALD O'CONNOR'S MUSICAL JOURNEY KEEPS HIM ON ROAD: [SPORTS FINAL, CN Edition] Dale, Steve. Chicago Tribune December 20
  9. The Life Story of DONALD O'CONNOR. Picture Show, London, Vol. 62, Iss. 1607 (January 16, 1954): 12.
  10. My Lucky Life In and Out of Show Business: A Memoir
  11. Chicago Born Donald O'Connor Is a Veteran of Stage and Films at 25 Zylstra, Freida. Chicago Daily Tribune July 27, 1950:
  12. Obituaries: Donald O'Connor, 78, comic and dancer Anonymous. Back Stage; New York Vol. 44, Iss. 40, (Oct 3 – 9, 2003): 4
  13. Zylstra, Freida. (July 25, 1950) "Chicago Born Donald O'Connor Is a Veteran of Stage and Films at 25" Chicago Daily Trib
  14. Filmink
    https://www.filmink.com.au/not-quite-movie-stars-john-dall/
  15. Donald O'Connor, Miss Main Set Comedy. Pace, G K. Los Angeles Times, August 9, 1948: 12.
  16. Donald O'Connor's musical Journey keeps him on road Dale, Steve. Chicago Tribune December 20, 1985: n_a50.
  17. Los Angeles Times
  18. PARAMOUNT SIGNS DONALD O'CONNOR: Actor Will Make 3 Pictures for Studio -- Betty Hutton's Film May Be One of Them By THOM
  19. Filmed interview shown on TCM
  20. "Donald O'Connor Web Site"
    http://www.eviltwinltd.com/muppetlabs/oconnor/donald.htm
  21. "Golden Globes Awards"
    https://goldenglobes.com/awards-database/
  22. YOUNG DONALD O'CONNOR MAKES GOOD IN VIDEO Chicago Daily Tribune April 20, 1952: e2.
  23. "Donald O'Connor interview - Mindy Aloff"
    http://danceviewtimes.com/dvny/features/2003/o'connor.html
  24. Donald O'Connor Named to Emcee Oscar Awards, Chicago Daily Tribune February 19, 1954: a8.
  25. Q Fever Hits Star, Melbourne Argus August 15, 1953, p. 4.
  26. Donald O'Connor Enters Hospital Hopper, Hedda. Los Angeles Times August 9, 1953: 3.
  27. Donald O'Connor Scheduled for Another 'Francis' Film Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Daily Tribune, October 18, 1954: b16.
  28. Just Making Movies
    https://archive.org/details/justmakingmovies00davi
  29. Obituary: Donald O'Connor: Dynamic dancer and comedian Bergan, Ronald. The Guardian September 29, 2003: 1.21.
  30. MOULIN ROUGE DATE: Donald O'Connor Joins Rush to L.A. Stage Scott, John L. Los Angeles Times March 1, 1959: f3.
  31. Donald O'Connor Billed at Sahara Scott, John L. Los Angeles Times August 15, 1966: c21.
  32. Donald O'Connor Returns to Universal Los Angeles Times August 17, 1965: C10.
  33. Donald O'Connor Stars in 'Little Me' Scott, John L. Los Angeles Times April 19, 1968: c18.
  34. Alex McNeil, Total Television, p. 231
  35. "Donald O'Connor by Susan M. Kelly"
    http://www.things-and-other-stuff.com/movies/profiles/donald-oconnor.html
  36. LAS VEGAS SCENE: Donald O'Connor in Dancing Shoes Again Scott, John L. Los Angeles Times April 12, 1973: g21.
  37. Donald O'Connor in Drama Role With Vince Edwards Los Angeles Times July 3, 1976: b4.
  38. DONALD O'CONNOR IN 'PICTURES', Los Angeles Times April 12, 1982: g3
  39. Donald O'Connor Keeps Studio City Theater in the Family-Literally: [Valley Edition] ARKATOV, JANICE. Los Angeles Times M
  40. Donald O'Connor, 78, Who Danced His Way Through Many Hollywood Musicals, Is Dead: [Obituary (Obit)] Severo, Richard. The
  41. IN STEP WITH: Donald O'Connor Brady, James. The Washington Post March 14, 1993: AA16.
  42. "Palm Spring Walk of Stars"
    http://www.palmsprings.com/stars/
  43. Donald O'Connor Weds Secretly. The New York Times, February 8, 1944: 12.
  44. Donald O'Connor Divorced. The New York Times, June 17, 1953: 32.
  45. Donald O'Connor to Marry. The New York Times, October 10, 1956: 46.
  46. "Archives - Philly.com"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20140413142106/http://articles.philly.com/2003-09-28/news/25457720_1_donald-o-connor-vaudeville-alicia-o-connor
  47. Los Angeles Times
    https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-sep-28-me-oconnor28-story.html
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