Denis O'Dea
Biography
Denis O'Dea was an Irish stage and film actor born in Dublin on April 26, 1905, and he passed away on November 5, 1978, at the age of 73. He attended Synge Street CBS and initially worked in insurance before pursuing acting. He became a leading member of Dublin's Abbey Theatre, maintaining a prominent acting career there from 1929 to 1953. In addition to his work at the Abbey Theatre, he appeared in numerous plays by Irish playwright Teresa Deevy, with some of these productions touring New York and England. His stage career eventually led to notable film roles, which included appearances in two mid-1930s films directed by John Ford. Throughout his career, he accumulated twenty-five known acting credits in film and television.
Career overview
Denis O'Dea was an Irish stage and film actor born in Dublin on April 26, 1905, who lived to be seventy-three years old and died on November 5, 1978. Before taking up acting, he worked in insurance. Early in his life, he and his mother Kathleen moved in with her sister, who operated a boarding house at 54 South Richmond Street in Dublin. He attended Synge Street CBS.
O'Dea established a great acting career as a leading member of Dublin's Abbey Theatre, performing there from 1929 to 1953, with a list of his performances preserved in the Abbey archives. In addition to his work at the Abbey, he appeared in numerous plays written by Irish playwright Teresa Deevy, some of which toured in New York and England.
His stage work ultimately led to a number of notable film roles, including appearances in two mid-1930s films directed by John Ford. Throughout his career, O'Dea accumulated known acting credits across his film and television work. He is also known by the alternative spelling Dennis O'Dea.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
25 titles- Esther and the King (1960) as Mordecai
- Cradle of Genius (1960) as Self
- Darby O'Gill and the Little People (1959) as Father Murphy
- I Captured the King of the Leprechauns (1959) as Father Murphy
- The Rising of the Moon (1957) as Police Sergeant Tom O'Hara (segment '1921')
- The Story of Esther Costello (1957) as Father Devlin
- Captain Lightfoot (1955) as Regis Donnell
- Niagara (1953) as Inspector Starkey
- Mogambo (1953) as Father Josef
- Sea Devils (1953) as Lethierry
- Captain Horatio Hornblower R.N. (1951) as RAdm. Sir Rodney Leighton
- The Long Dark Hall (1951) as Sir Charles Morton
- Never Take No for an Answer (1951) as Father Damico
- Treasure Island (1950) as Dr. Livesy
- Under Capricorn (1949) as Mr. Corrigan
- Marry Me (1949) as George Saunders
- Landfall (1949) as Captain Burnaby
- The Bad Lord Byron (1949) as Prosecuting Counsel
- The Fallen Idol (1948) as Inspector Crowe
- Odd Man Out (1947) as Inspector
- The Mark of Cain (1947) as Sir William Godgrey
- The Plough and the Stars (1936) as The Covey
- Beloved Enemy (1936) as Sean's I.R.A. Friend (Uncredited)
- The Informer (1935) as Street Singer
- Guests of The Nation (1935)
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Denis O'Dea best known for?
Denis O'Dea is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Esther and the King (1960), Darby O'Gill and the Little People (1959), Niagara (1953), Mogambo (1953).
When and where was Denis O'Dea born?
Denis O'Dea was born on April 26, 1905 in Dublin, Ireland. They passed away on November 5, 1978.
How many credits does Denis O'Dea have?
Denis O'Dea has accumulated over 25 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1935 to 1960.
What is Denis O'Dea's background in cinema and television?
Denis O'Dea was an Irish stage and film actor born in Dublin on April 26, 1905, and he passed away on November 5, 1978, at the age of 73. He attended Synge Street CBS and initially worked in insurance before pursuing acting. He became a leading member of Dublin's Abbey Theatre, maintaining a prominent acting career the...
Denis O'Dea by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Landfall (1949) as Captain Burnaby — aged about 44
- Captain Horatio Hornblower R.N. (1951) as RAdm. Sir Rodney Leighton — aged about 46
- Niagara (1953) as Inspector Starkey — aged about 48
- Darby O'Gill and the Little People (1959) as Father Murphy — aged about 54
- Treasure Island (1950) as Dr. Livesy — aged about 45
- Mogambo (1953) as Father Josef — aged about 48
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