Donald O'Connor
- Known For
- Acting
- Born
- August 28, 1925 in Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Died
- September 27, 2003
- Active Years
- 1937–2022 (86 Years)
- Total Credits
- 129 credits in database
Biography
Donald O’Connor (August 28 1925 – September 27 2003) was an American dancer, singer and actor born in Chicago, Illinois. Over a career that included 125 credited performances, he achieved fame appearing in a series of movies in which he alternated co‑starring roles with Gloria Jean, Peggy Ryan and the character Francis the Talking Mule. He is most widely remembered today for his performance in the classic musical Singin’ in the Rain. The TMDB records list his gender as male and note that he was also known by the name Donald Da. He died at the age of 78, on 27 September 2003.
Career overview
Donald O’Connor was born on August 28, 1925 in Chicago, Illinois, USA, and was also credited as Donald Da. An American dancer, singer, and actor, he entered the entertainment field with a focus on performance across multiple disciplines. O’Connor first achieved public recognition through a series of movies in which he alternately co‑starred with Gloria Jean, Peggy Ryan, and the novelty act Francis the Talking Mule. These collaborative films helped establish his reputation as a versatile performer capable of combining comedy, dance, and vocal talent. Over the course of his career he amassed a total of 125 credited acting roles, reflecting a sustained presence in both film and television productions.
Although his early work contributed to his fame, O’Connor is best remembered today for his role in the classic musical Singin’ in the Rain, a performance that continues to define his legacy in popular culture. He remained active in the industry for many years, maintaining a profile that spanned several decades. Donald O’Connor passed away on September 27, 2003 at the age of 78, leaving behind a body of work that showcases his contributions as a dancer, singer, and actor within American cinema.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
129 titles- Becoming Marilyn (2022) as (archive footage)
- Bing Crosby: Rediscovered (2014) as Self (archive footage)
- Get Aboard! 'The Band Wagon' (2005) as Self (archive footage)
- Pioneers of Primetime (2005)
- Gene Kelly: Anatomy of a Dancer (2002) as Self (archive footage)
- What a Glorious Feeling: The Making of 'Singin' in the Rain' (2002) as Self
- Hollywood at Your Feet: The Story of the Chinese Theatre Footprints (2000) as Self
- Out to Sea (1997) as Jonathan Devereaux
- Father Frost (1996) as Baba Yaga
- That's Entertainment! III (1994) as (archive footage)
- Bandit: Bandit's Silver Angel (1994) as Uncle Cyrus
- Frasier (1993) as Harlow Safford
- The Nanny (1993) as Fred
- Vicki! (1992) as Self
- Toys (1992) as Kenneth Zevo
- Tales from the Crypt (1989) as Joseph Renfield
- Happy Birthday, Bob: 50 Stars Salute Your 50 Years with NBC (1988) as Self
- Happy 100th Birthday, Hollywood (1987) as Self
- A Mouse, a Mystery and Me (1987) as Alex the Mouse (voice)
- A Time to Remember (1987) as Father Walsh
- Alice in Wonderland (1985) as Lory Bird
- Night of 100 Stars II (1985) as Self
- That's Dancing! (1985)
- Murder, She Wrote (1984) as Barry Barnes
- Highway to Heaven (1984) as Jackie Clark
- Alice in Wonderland (1983) as Mock Turtle
- Hotel (1982) as David Connelly
- Pandemonium (1982) as Glenn's Dad
- Simon & Simon (1981) as George Decova / Barnaby the Great
- Ragtime (1981) as Evelyn's Dance Instructor
- The Big Show (1980) as Self
- Lucy Moves to NBC (1980) as Self
- The Big Fix (1978) as Francis Joins The Navy
- The Love Boat (1977) as Oscar Tilton
- The Love Boat (1977) as Howard Enicker
- The Love Boat (1977) as Leo Halbert
- Hunter (1977)
- The Bionic Woman (1976)
- Bob Hope's World of Comedy (1976) as Self (archive footage)
- That's Entertainment, Part II (1976) as (archive footage)
- It's Showtime (1976) as Self (archive footage)
- Ellery Queen (1975) as Kenny Freeman
- The Lion Roars Again (1975) as Self (uncredited)
- Dinah! (1974) as Self
- Tony Orlando and Dawn (1974) as Self
- That's Entertainment! (1974) as Self - Host / Narrator
- Police Story (1973) as Holly Connor
- The Bobby Darin Show (1973)
- The Julie Andrews Hour (1972) as Self
- Great Performances (1971) as Mock Turtle
- Great Performances (1971) as Self
- Film '72 (1971) as Self
- The Pet Set (1971) as Self
- The Don Knotts Show (1970) as Self
- The Donald O'Connor Show (1968) as Host
- The Carol Burnett Show (1967) as Self / Various Characters
- ABC Stage 67 (1966) as Hermes
- That Funny Feeling (1965) as Harvey Granson
- Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (1963) as Benjamin Boggs
- Petticoat Junction (1963) Director
- Vacation Playhouse (1963) as Donald Dugan
- The Judy Garland Show (1963) as Self
- Marilyn (1963) as archive footage
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self
- The Merv Griffin Show (1962) as Self
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self - Co-Host
- Cry for Happy (1961) as Murray Prince
- The Wonders of Aladdin (1961) as Aladdin
- Tonight Starring Jack Paar (1957) as Self - Guest Host
- DuPont Show of the Month (1957) as Johnny Shaw
- The Buster Keaton Story (1957) as Buster Keaton
- The Clouded Image (1957) as Self - Host
- Tony Awards (1956) as Self - Presenter
- The Dinah Shore Chevy Show (1956) as Self
- Anything Goes (1956) as Ted Adams
- Francis in the Navy (1955) as Peter Stirling
- The Jimmy Durante Show (1954) as Self
- The Donald O'Connor Show (1954) as Donald O'Connor
- There's No Business Like Show Business (1954) as Tim Donahue
- Francis Joins the WACS (1954) as Peter Stirling
- The Oscars (1953) as Self
- Call Me Madam (1953) as Kenneth Gibson
- Walking My Baby Back Home (1953) as Jigger Millard
- I Love Melvin (1953) as Melvin Hoover
- Francis Covers the Big Town (1953) as Peter Stirling
- Singin' in the Rain (1952) as Cosmo Brown
- Francis Goes to West Point (1952) as Peter Stirling
- The Red Skelton Show (1951) as Self
- Francis Goes to the Races (1951) as Peter Stirling
- Double Crossbones (1951) as Davey Crandall
- The Colgate Comedy Hour (1950) as Self
- The Colgate Comedy Hour (1950) as Self - Guest Host
- The Colgate Comedy Hour (1950) as Self - Host
- The Bob Hope Show (1950) as Self
- Francis (1950) as Peter Stirling
- The Milkman (1950) as Roger Bradley
- Curtain Call at Cactus Creek (1950) as Edward Timmons
- Yes Sir, That's My Baby (1949) as William Waldo Winfield
- The Ed Sullivan Show (1948) as Self
- Feudin', Fussin' and A-Fightin' (1948) as Wilbur McMurty
- Are You With It? (1948) as Milton Haskins
- Something in the Wind (1947) as Charlie Read
- Patrick the Great (1945) as Pat Donahue Jr.
- Follow the Boys (1944) as Donald O'Connor
- Chip Off the Old Block (1944) as Donald Corrigan
- Bowery to Broadway (1944) as Specialty dancer
- This Is the Life (1944) as Jimmy
- The Merry Monahans (1944) as Jimmy Monahan
- Top Man (1943) as Don Warren
- It Comes Up Love (1943) as Ricky Ives
- Mister Big (1943) as Donald J. O'Connor
- Private Buckaroo (1942) as Donny
- Get Hep to Love (1942) as Jimmy Arnold
- What's Cookin'? (1942) as Tommy
- When Johnny Comes Marching Home (1942) as Frankie
- Give Out, Sisters (1942) as Don
- Death of a Champion (1939) as Small Fry
- Unmarried (1939) as Ted Streaver (age 12)
- Beau Geste (1939) as Beau Geste (as a Child)
- On Your Toes (1939) as Phil Jr. as a Boy
- Million Dollar Legs (1939) as Sticky Boone
- Boy Trouble (1939) as Butch
- Night Work (1939) as Butch Smiley
- Men with Wings (1938) as Young Pat Falconer
- Sing, You Sinners (1938) as Mike Beebe
- Sons of the Legion (1938) as Butch Baker
- Tom Sawyer, Detective (1938) as Huckleberry Finn
- Melody for Two (1937) as Specialty Act
- It Can't Last Forever (1937) as Kid Dancer (uncredited)
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Donald O'Connor best known for?
Donald O'Connor is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Out to Sea (1997), That's Entertainment! III (1994), Frasier (1993), The Nanny (1993).
When and where was Donald O'Connor born?
Donald O'Connor was born on August 28, 1925 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. They passed away on September 27, 2003.
How many credits does Donald O'Connor have?
Donald O'Connor has accumulated over 129 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1937 to 2022.
What is Donald O'Connor's background in cinema and television?
Donald O’Connor (August 28 1925 – September 27 2003) was an American dancer, singer and actor born in Chicago, Illinois. Over a career that included 125 credited performances, he achieved fame appearing in a series of movies in which he alternated co‑starring roles with Gloria Jean, Peggy Ryan and the character Francis...
Donald O'Connor by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Hunter (1977) — aged about 51
- The Judy Garland Show (1963) as Self — aged about 37
- The Nanny (1993) as Fred — aged about 67
- Singin' in the Rain (1952) as Cosmo Brown — aged about 26
- Tales from the Crypt (1989) as Joseph Renfield — aged about 63
- Frasier (1993) as Harlow Safford — aged about 67
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