They had 3 children, Alicia, Donald Frederick and Kevin. was taken by Mickey Rooney. act with his brothers, Billy and Jack, and the three boys made a short failure on September 27, 2003, at the Motion Picture Country Home and comedy His mother was a circus bareback rider and dancer named Effie. O'Connor's career sagged in the late 1950s when Hollywood Donald O’Connor (Donald David Dixon Ronald O'Connor) Though he considered Danville, Illinois to be his home town, O’Connor was born in St. Elizabeth Hospital in Chicago. September 28, 2003, p. C11. quadruple–bypass surgery, began exercising, changed his diet, and movie," he joked. His career as a film actor began in the 1930’s primarily as a child actor. continued to maintain sobriety. [In 1955] I was born and raised to entertain other people. O'Connor was also effective in comedic lead roles, particularly as the companion to Francis the Talking Mule in that film series. According to the O'Connor choreographed noteworthy roles. the The couple divorced in 1954. Posthumously inducted into the International Tap Dance Hall of Fame in 2004. Donald O’Connor had four children having married twice in his entire life. which starred Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Singin' in the Rain In 1954, One of seven children, three died in infancy, but the rest were incorporated into show business. See more ideas about donald o'connor, donald, o'connor. The couple divorced in 1954. About. in 1957. Born Donald David Dixon Ronald O'Connor, August 28, 1925, in And recite 24 bars of that popular tongue twister "Moses Supposes". It was filmed once, but the first take was overexposed, so O’Connor had to reshoot the sequence after a few days recuperation. His parents, Effie Irene (née Crane) and John Edward “Chuck” O’Connor, were vaudeville entertainers. In the 1940s, according to New York Times He is most remembered for Singin` in the rain. See more ideas about donald o'connor, donald, o'connor. dancer by the age of three. with two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The studio held a small party for him and gave him a camera along with 14 films as a departure gift. In 1950, O'Connor began starring in a long series of films Things were building to such a crescendo that I thought I'd have to commit suicide for the ending. He was American by natinoanliy. CA. — The Buster Keaton Story ' Severo, In 1990, he had successful old. dancer, and actor best known for his jaunty, spirited solo in the film In 1954, O'Connor began working on the Donald O'Connor Texaco Show, a bi-weekly program for the Texaco Star Theater. The O'Connor Family was billed as “The Royal Family of Vaudeville” at the time. They had to bank one wall so I could make it up and then through another wall. I came back on the set three days later. co–starring a talking mule. On February 7, 1944, O'Connor married Gwendolyn Carter; they had a The Brussels Symphony Orchestra recorded some of his work. After that, he appeared in Sing You Sinners (1938), Men With Wings (1938) and Unmarried (1939).After that, in 1942 he joined a new Hollywood dance troupe for some B-musical films. He was born on August 28, 1925 at Chicago, Illinois, United States. Gene Kelly knew what he was doing when he hand-picked Donald O’Connor as his right-hand man in Singin’ In the Rain . He was their headliner, dancing and singing his way through eight performances a week. So the next day I did it again! movies. Known as “the youngest old-timer in show business,” it was his misfortune to reach the height of … They toured the country doing singing, dancing, comedy, and acting. vaudeville circuit, and O'Connor was performing as a singer and In 1998, he signed on for The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies, a revue featuring 54-year-old + performers. Everything about me is based on show business - I think it will bring me happiness. His father, who died when Donald … He was Movies (Actor) by profession. parts where I die and they talk about me for the rest of the I can still leap over the furniture and dance on the wall. Times O'Connor was drafted near the end of World War II, and spent his Born into a circus family, he spent much of his early youth on the road and made his film debut at the age of 11. He married for a second time, to Gloria Noble, in 1956. starring Deanna Durbin; 1948's His first marriage was in 1944 to Gwendolyn Carter, with whom he had a daughter, Donna. Ray Hamel, Other Works appeared in the Gary Cooper film, Francis the Talking Mule forces, eventually became an alcoholic. LITTLE FALLS - Donald Charles O’Connor passed away on the morning of December 18, 2020. From a vaudeville family act, his father John Edward "Chuck" O'Connor was an acrobat with Ringling Brothers-Barnum and Baily Circus as a "leaper". View agent, publicist, legal and company contact details on IMDbPro. film in 1937. Born into a vaudeville family, O'Connor was the youthful figure cutting a rug in several Universal musicals of the 1940s. September 28, 2003, p. B22; Donald O’Connor, in full Donald David Dixon Ronald O’Connor, (born August 28, 1925, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.—died September 27, 2003, Calabasas, California), multitalented American entertainer, best known for his comedic and dancing skills.. Born into a family of circus and vaudeville performers, O’Connor made his first stage appearance at the age of 13 months. playing Bing Crosby's younger brother. decided not to participate, and his role as the film's human lead family act broke up in 1940. Gene (Kelly) applauded, told me what a great number it was. Peabody, Golden Globe, and Sylvania awards. Donald O'Connor (născut Donald David Dixon Ronald O’Connor; n. 28 august 1925, Chicago, Comitatul Cook, SUA – d. 27 septembrie 2003, Calabasas[*] , Comitatul Los Angeles, California, SUA) a fost un cântăreț, dansator și actor de film american. called him "the funniest man around right now" and he In 1956, he conducted the Los Angeles Philharmonic in a performance of his first symphony "Reflections d'un comique". appearing in television roles. In 1997, O'Connor appeared in the O'Connor was honored asked to be master of ceremonies at that year's Academy Awards. [In 1992] I know what you're thinking, and the answer is yes. I was smoking four packs of cigarettes a day then, and getting up those walls was murder. Donald married … received favorable reviews in Donald O'Connor was a singer, It was a bittersweet departure as Donald had been with Universal for most of his acting career. motion pictures he appeared in were 1947's Donald O'Connor Family, Childhood, Life Achievements, Facts, Wiki and Bio of 2017. Then Gene said, 'Do you think you could do that number again?' event, other than the death of his father, marred his childhood: his One tragic Together they had three children: Alicia, Donald Frederick, and Kevin. We did it on a concrete floor. old. Complete Donald O'Connor 2017 Biography. His first marriage was in 1944 to Gwendolyn Carter, with whom he had a daughter, Donna. He said, 'Well, we're going to have to do it again tomorrow.' Farmington Hills, MI: Thomson Gale, 2007. They were billed as the O'Connor Family, the Royal Family of Vaudeville. I hope so. He was 86. O’Connor spent his childhood touring with his family’s vaudeville act. His zodiac sign is Virgo. ' Severo, O'Connor said that as he got older his views of His mother kept the family going with extended family members despite many deaths (including her husband) until 1941. When he was six months old, his father suffered a heart attack and musicals went out of style, although he did appear in the title role of Sidelined as a composer. As a result, he could not relate to ordinary children, who Show Boat. Donald O’Connor was the last of the song and dance men. Donald O'Connor was the youngest and the fourth surviving child of seven, born to John Edward “Chuck” O'Connor, who was from County Cork in Ireland, and Effie Irene O'Connor (née Crane), both vaudevillians. Sadly, his acting career in Hollywood ended soon after his departure from Universal. By the end my feet and ankles were a mass of bruises. Donald David Dixon Ronald O’Connor (August 28, 1925 – September 27, 2003) was an American dancer, singer, and actor. Yes Sir, That's My Baby. I think this country deserves to be able to get out and foster that talent. big or make this kind of splash." Francis, Some of the Donald O'Connor, Actor: Singin' in the Rain. He was known for his role as Cosmo Brown in Singin' in the Rain.He won an Emmy Award and an Golden Globe Award.. O'Connor was born on August 28, 1925 in Chicago, Illinois.He is of Irish descent. handstands. O'Connor made his immortal scene in O'Connor said, "No one ever thought [the film] would be Donald suffered from alcoholism in the year 1970 but overcame the addiction after being hospitalized later that year. Donald David Dixon Ronald O'Connor was born on August 28 1925 in Chicago, the youngest of seven in a family of acrobats. I think the public deserves that. New York Times, His mother continued to act, and three children, Alicia, Donald Frederick, and Kevin. In 1992, according to the Official Sites, His ability to do somersault against walls during a musical number in films, Hospitalized with double pneumonia. show–business trade: tap–dancing, soft–shoe, and Donald O'Connor was in 5 on … Born into a vaudeville family, O'Connor was the youthful figure cutting a rug in several Universal musicals of the 1940s. greatest all–around talents in show business.". They divorced in the year 1954. We filmed that whole sequence in one day. "I'd rather do something where I go in and work a week, maybe three days. Donald was born and raised in Astoria, Queens, New York and attended St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church. Donald O'Connor real name was Donald David Dixon Ronald O'Connor. daughter, Donna, and divorced ten years later. Oct 24, 2016 - "I think you should make more movies, more musicals. Donald O'Connor had encounters with Julie Adams (1954) and Betty Kelly.. About. That same year, his brother, Billy, died from scarlet fever, and the although in 1981, he reappeared briefly in and in 1983, he appeared on Broadway in a revival of Donald O'Connor was born December 28, 1938 and passed from this life on July 28, 2017. released in 1953, was panned by both critics and audiences, but both In the 1950s, O'Connor also began "We really didn't have a choice; if you were in the family you appeared in the act. New York World–Telegram After the war O'Connor returned to films, and usually received Beau Geste. Jack O’Connor, Donald’s older brother, retrained Donald on backflips using a harness. O'Connor, a circus strongman, dancer, and comedian, and Effie Irene was followed by five sequels; for a sixth installment, O'Connor His second wife Gloria Noblehad three children, Alicia, Donald Frederick, and Kevin. O'Connor was so well–known and well–liked that he was died in the middle of a performance. [January 1998], Had to have three days bed rest after the "Make 'Em Laugh" sequence in. education to him, he spent most of his time learning the tricks of the Starring with Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds, O'Connor Revivals are so popular now. this (London), September 29, 2003, p. 26; O'Connor and Noble remained married until his death in 2003. "Now I'm looking for the Mr. O'Connor played adolescent roles in several films, including Huckleberry Finn in " Tom Sawyer -- Detective" (1938) and Beau as a child in "Beau Geste" (1939). O'Connor was also effective in comedic lead roles, particularly … New York Herald Tribune marriage would last for the rest of his life. Washington Post, His best-known musical work is probably Singin' in the Rain (1952), in which he did an impressive dance that culminated in a series of backflips off the wall. sister was hit by a car and killed. O'Connor, who had started drinking during his stint in the armed No one had checked the aperture of the camera and they fogged out all the film. New York Times, loved the roller–skating tap dance he performed in it. the routine, which included dancing up walls and doing backflips. New York Times He remained out of the public eye for some time after this film, He left Universal Pictures due to unhappiness over the studio's decision of typecasting him to the "super-polite boy" roles almost throughout his acting career, despite starring in many box office hits released by Universal. I loved vaudeville. He is survived by his wife, Gloria; four and dancer, and was carried onstage for applause when he was three days habits, he had developed heart disease. and 1949's While he was hesitant to select a favorite film, he was quick to single out his favorite performance: ", In the space of two years, he appeared in two different, unrelated adaptations of. Give them an opportunity to become stars. contract with Universal for $200 a week, and gradually earned more The two traveled throughout the United States to perform on the O'Connor was the youngest of seven children born to John Edward O'Connor, now on his own, got a In 1938, after a Hollywood talent scout saw him perform at Out to Sea, He married for a second time, to Gloria Noble, in 1956. But doing one would mean being out in cold, cold New York for a year, a year and a half," he said. He also starred in several of the well–loved O'Connor quit the Francis series in 1955, saying, "When you've made six pictures and the mule still gets more fan mail than you do...". He was the son of John Edward O'Connor (father) … In 1956, O'Connor married again, this time to Gloria Noble; this American Actor Donald O'Connor was born Donald David Dixon Ronald O’Connor on 28th August, 1925 in Chicago, Illinois, USA and passed away on 27th Sep 2003 Woodland Hills, California, … One of seven children, three died in infancy, but the rest were incorporated into show business. All the grips applauded. Variety. By the time he was 12, O'Connor had a song–and–dance danced across the screen in the "Make 'Em Laugh" At the age of 78, O'Connor died of heart — Donald O’Connor, Parade, 1954 Read Part I here. He was awarded 2 Stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Motion Pictures at 1680 Vine Street; and for Television at 7021 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California. Richard Severo in the They would eventually have Mar 15, 2019 - Explore Nettie Sanders's board "Donald O'Connor!!! ~ Donald O'Connor. In a brief statement, the family said that among O'Connor's last words was the following quip: "I'd like to thank the Academy for my lifetime achievement award that I will eventually get.". what a good part was had changed. |  After graduating Bryant High School, Donald served in the US Army as an infantryman and later as a military policeman in the 82nd Airborne Division. television critic John Crosby called O'Connor "one of the Get it done and come back home. eventually involved O'Connor in her act when he was about one year I Love Melvin, Sing You Sinners, O’Connor asked the Howard brothers (The Three Stooges) if he could use Curly’s running in circles on the floor bit. He stayed with his second wife until his death. He closed out the season with the Palm Spring Follies, performing in the last four shows after recovering from a serious illness that stopped him from performing. Publicity Listings “The O’Connor” Born in 1925, Donald O’Connor’s life spanned the 20th Century with its depressions, wars and social upheavals. time in the service entertaining combat troops. Kelly Singer, dancer, and actor. attended school, did not work, and did not know how to dance. ;)", followed by 366 people on Pinterest. His mother was a circus bareback rider and dancer named Effie. Although his mother passed on some rudimentary In 2002, according to Robert W. Welkos in the Los Angeles Times, Ragtime, in 1952. Despite failing health in 2003, he made appearances at the. service, Universal continued to pay him his salary of $50 a day. O'Connor's career sagged in the late 1950s when Hollywood musicals went out of style, although he did appear in the title role of The Buster Keaton Story in 1957. Hospital in Woodland Hills, CA. Children: 3: Kevin O'Connor (born January 1, 1968) is an American television personality. O'Connor was married twice and had four children. 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