Arthur O'Connell
Biography
Arthur O'Connell was an American stage and film actor born in New York City on March 29, 1908, and he passed away on May 18, 1981, at the age of 73. A veteran vaudevillian, he made his legitimate stage debut in the mid-1930s and became associated with Orson Welles' Mercury Theatre. Welles cast him in a tiny reporter role in the closing scenes of the 1941 film Citizen Kane, which is often referred to as his film debut. Over his career, O'Connell amassed 116 known acting credits, appearing in various television programs, mostly through guest appearances, and in numerous films such as Picnic, Anatomy of a Murder, and The Hiding Place, where he portrayed the watch-maker who hides Jews during World War II.
Career overview
Arthur O'Connell was an American stage and film actor born in New York City on March 29, 1908. A veteran vaudevillian, he made his legitimate stage debut in the mid 1930s. During this time, he fell within the orbit of Orson Welles' Mercury Theatre. Welles cast O'Connell in the tiny role of a reporter in the closing scenes of Citizen Kane in 1941. This appearance is often referred to as O'Connell's film debut, though he had a small role in the film starting his career in 1941.
Over the course of his career, O'Connell appeared in numerous films and television programs, mostly making guest appearances on television. His notable screen appearances include Picnic, Anatomy of a Murder, and The Hiding Place, in which he played the watch-maker who hides Jews during World War II. He accumulated 116 known acting credits throughout his career in film and television.
O'Connell passed away on May 18, 1981, at the age of 73. His professional legacy spans decades of work across stage, film, and television, establishing him as a recognizable character actor in American entertainment history.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
120 titles- Way of Tomorrow: The Evolution of Science Fiction Movies (2022) as Self - (archive footage)
- Preminger: Anatomy of a Filmmaker (1991) as actor 'Anatomy of a Murder' (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Medical Story (1975) as Dr. Avery Loomis
- The Hiding Place (1975) as Casper ten Boom, 'Papa'
- Shootout in a One-Dog Town (1974) as Henry Gills
- Huckleberry Finn (1974) as Col. Grangerford
- Adam's Rib (1973) as Judge
- Wicked, Wicked (1973) as Mr. Fenley, Hotel Engineer
- Emergency! (1972)
- Ghost Story (1972) as Chief Owen Huston
- The Poseidon Adventure (1972) as John, the Chaplain
- The Paul Lynde Show (1972)
- Ben (1972) as Bill Hatfield
- They Only Kill Their Masters (1972) as Ernie
- Cannon (1971)
- Alias Smith and Jones (1971)
- The Last Valley (1971) as Hoffman
- A Taste of Evil (1971) as John
- Night Gallery (1970)
- McCloud (1970)
- Nanny and the Professor (1970)
- There Was a Crooked Man... (1970) as Mr. Lomax
- Suppose They Gave a War and Nobody Came? (1970) as Mr. Kruft
- Room 222 (1969)
- Seven in Darkness (1969) as Larry Wise
- The Name of the Game (1968) as Charlie Sherwin
- The Power (1968) as Prof. Henry Hallson
- If He Hollers, Let Him Go! (1968) as Prosecutor
- Ironside (1967)
- The Second Hundred Years (1967) as Edwin Carpenter
- The Reluctant Astronaut (1967) as Arbuckle "Buck" Fleming
- A Covenant with Death (1967) as Judge Hockstadter
- Fantastic Voyage (1966) as Col. Donald Reid
- The Silencers (1966) as Joe Wigman
- Ride Beyond Vengeance (1966) as The Narrator
- Birds Do It (1966) as Professor Wald
- The Wild Wild West (1965)
- The F.B.I. (1965) as Smitty
- The Big Valley (1965) as Jubal
- The Great Race (1965) as Henry Goodbody
- Nightmare in the Sun (1965) as Sam Wilson
- The Monkey's Uncle (1965) as Darius Green III
- The Third Day (1965) as Dr. Wheeler
- 7 Faces of Dr. Lao (1964) as Clint Stark
- Kissin' Cousins (1964) as Pappy Tatum
- Your Cheatin' Heart (1964) as Fred Rose
- The Fugitive (1963) as Dr. Josephus Harrison Adams
- The Fugitive (1963) as Samuel Cole
- Burke's Law (1963) as Dr. Stuart Alexander
- Petticoat Junction (1963) as William Lawrence
- Arrest and Trial (1963)
- The Greatest Show on Earth (1963)
- Marilyn (1963) as archive footage
- Sam Benedict (1962)
- Follow That Dream (1962) as Pop Kwimper
- The New Breed (1961) as Peter Capples
- Pocketful of Miracles (1961) as Count Alfonso Romero
- A Thunder of Drums (1961) as Sgt. Karl Rodermill
- Misty (1961) as Grandpa Clarence Beebe
- My Three Sons (1960)
- Route 66 (1960)
- Special for Women (1960) as Joe Lawson
- Cimarron (1960) as Tom Wyatt
- The Great Impostor (1960) as Warden J.B. Chandler
- Bonanza (1959) as Dr. Samuel Hubert
- Startime (1959) as Self
- Anatomy of a Murder (1959) as Parnell Emmett "Parn" McCarthy
- Operation Petticoat (1959) as Chief Motor Machinist's Mate Sam Tostin
- Gidget (1959) as Russell Lawrence
- Hound-Dog Man (1959) as Aaron McKinney
- Man of the West (1958) as Sam Beasley
- Voice in the Mirror (1958) as Bill Tobin
- Wagon Train (1957)
- Alcoa Theatre (1957)
- DuPont Show of the Month (1957)
- Operation Mad Ball (1957) as Col. Rousch
- April Love (1957) as Jed Bruce
- The Violators (1957) as Solomon Baumgarten
- Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre (1956) as Lyman
- Bus Stop (1956) as Virgil Blessing
- The Monte Carlo Story (1956) as Mr. Homer Hinkley
- The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit (1956) as Gordon Walker
- The Proud Ones (1956) as Jim Dexter
- The Solid Gold Cadillac (1956) as Mark Jenkins
- Matinee Theater (1955)
- Picnic (1955) as Howard Bevans
- Summer Playhouse (1954)
- The Oscars (1953) as Self
- Omnibus (1952)
- The Whistle at Eaton Falls (1951) as Jim Brewster
- Force of Evil (1950) as Link Hall (uncredited)
- The Taming of the Shrew (1950) as Curtis
- The Philco Television Playhouse (1948)
- The Philco Television Playhouse (1948) as Jim Elkins
- The Philco Television Playhouse (1948) as Grant
- Studio One (1948) as Curtis
- Studio One (1948) as Manachi Conners
- The Naked City (1948) as Sgt. Shaeffer (uncredited)
- State of the Union (1948) as First Reporter
- One Touch of Venus (1948) as Reporter
- Homecoming (1948) as Ambulance Attendant (uncredited)
- The Countess of Monte Cristo (1948) as Assistant Director Jensen
- Open Secret (1948) as Carter
- Hello, Annapolis (1942) as Pharmacist Mate
- Canal Zone (1942) as New Recruit (uncredited)
- Law of the Jungle (1942) as Simmons
- Fingers at the Window (1942) as Photographer (uncredited)
- Blondie's Blessed Event (1942) as Interne (uncredited)
- Man From Headquarters (1942) as Goldie Shores
- Citizen Kane (1941) as Reporter (uncredited)
- Dr. Kildare Goes Home (1940) as Intern (uncredited)
- I Take This Oath (1940) as Court Clerk
- The Golden Fleecing (1940) as Cameraman (uncredited)
- Two Girls on Broadway (1940) as Reporter at Wedding (uncredited)
- Hullabaloo (1940) as Fourth Page
- And One Was Beautiful (1940) as Moroni's Parking Attendant
- Bested by a Beard (1940) as Phil
- He Asked for It (1940)
- 'Taint Legal (1940) as Book Salesman
- Murder in Soho (1939) as Lefty
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Arthur O'Connell best known for?
Arthur O'Connell is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Medical Story (1975), Wicked, Wicked (1973), Fred Claus (2007), Ghost Story (1972).
When and where was Arthur O'Connell born?
Arthur O'Connell was born on March 29, 1908 in New York City, New York, USA. They passed away on May 18, 1981.
How many credits does Arthur O'Connell have?
Arthur O'Connell has accumulated over 120 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1939 to 2022.
What is Arthur O'Connell's background in cinema and television?
Arthur O'Connell was an American stage and film actor born in New York City on March 29, 1908, and he passed away on May 18, 1981, at the age of 73. A veteran vaudevillian, he made his legitimate stage debut in the mid-1930s and became associated with Orson Welles' Mercury Theatre. Welles cast him in a tiny reporter ro...
Arthur O'Connell by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Arrest and Trial (1963) — aged about 55
- Citizen Kane (1941) as Reporter (uncredited) — aged about 33
- Emergency! (1972) — aged about 64
- Night Gallery (1970) — aged about 62
- Anatomy of a Murder (1959) as Parnell Emmett "Parn" McCarthy — aged about 51
- The New Breed (1961) as Peter Capples — aged about 53
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