Pat O’Brien (1980)

Referred to as “Hollywood’s Irishman in Residence,” actor Pat O’Brien should be a familiar face if you’ve watched the classics from the 1930s and 1940s. He appeared at the Historic Elitch Theatre twice with his wife, Eloise, in 1980 in The Second Time Around and in 1981 in On Golden Pond.

Pat O’Brien’s Bio from the 1980 Program for The Second Time Around:

As Pat O’Brien starts his 63rd year of show-business, he still chuckles merrily at any thought of retirement. A towering talent in every phase of entertainment stage, screen, television, nightclubs, recordings, authoring — entrepreneur and public speaker — Pat O’Brien is magic no matter where, or when he’s “on.”

Stimulus from constantly appearing before live audiences, he believes, is the adrenalin which keeps him going. To-day his hair is silver, his body fit, and his eyes as intensely blue as Newman’s or McQueen’s. His more than five decades of performing have established a standard of excellence and decency which millions of people rely on and on whom they have bestowed their respect and love.

Pat has been an effective ambassador — not only for Americans but those worldwide nations who know us only from our films. He has actually portrayed five great Americans — more than any other actor, in pictures: Knute Rockne in THE STORY OF KNUTE ROCKNE, Father Duffy in THE FIGHT-ING 69th, Father Dunne in FIGHTING FATHER DUNNE, Frank Cavanaugh in THE IRON MAJOR, and Colonel Patty Ryan in BOMBARDIER.

This monumental Irish-American is one of those rare professionals who never wanted to be anything other than an actor. He was born William Joseph Patrick O’Brien in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he attended Marquette Academy — and later, Marquette University. A law major, he made a name for himself both scholastically and on the football field. During World War I, he and his boyhood friend, the late Spencer Tracy, enlisted in the U.S. Navy and trained at Great Lakes Naval Training Station. Summer ’71 marked one of Pat’s great thrills — when he was invited as a world-renowned star, to return to Great Lakes Station to review the recruits.

Following the Armistice and his discharge from the Navy, Pat hastened to enroll along with his pal, Spence, at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. Upon graduation, he started his professional career in stock companies and road shows. On Broad-way, he appeared in such plays as R.U.R., THE UP AND UP, OVERTURE, DANGER, A MAN’S MAN, THIS MAN’S TOWN, TOMORROW AND TOMORROW, GERTIE, and HENRY BEHAVE. In 1931, Howard Hughes sent for him to come to Hollywood to play the role of Hildy Johnson in Hughes’ motion picture of the stage hit, THE FRONT PAGE. “He’s still the best boss I ever had,” says Pat fervently. He was, indeed, the rocket to boost Pat O’Brien’s career into permanent orbit.

Pat O’Brien has starred in 110 motion pictures, dozens of hit stage plays and TV’s best dramatic shows. He has been a regular on TV talk shows, co-host, and on radio and the lecture platform. He starred in his own television series, HARRIGAN AND SON in the sixties, for the ABC network.

His peers respect his stature as a great professional and humanitarian —most recently voting him (1974) two Emmy Awards for the same show, as Best Actor of the Year — and Best Actor in a Drama Special.

As one of his industry’s most awarded stars, he holds an Honorary Doctorate of Law from Loretto College, Doctor of Fine Arts from Niagara University. In 1974 he was invested as a Knight of Malta, an honor which the distinguished Catholic Order has conferred on only two other members in entertainment. He has also received the Knight of Charity Papal Award; the Helms Award “for his brilliant characterization of Knute Rockne,” the National Conference of Christians and Jews Award “for distinguished service in advancing brotherhood,” the Decency in Entertainment Award from Notre Dame, and, on two occasions, The Father of the Year Award.

Pat was a struggling young actor in 1928 when he reported for rehearsal with the Chicago company of the play BROADWAY, and met a beautiful and talented member of the cast — Eloise Taylor. They were married January 21, 1931 and have been a team for almost half a century. After fifteen years in legit theater together — following four children and six grandchildren — they are today one of the theater’s most popular co-stars, embarking on both winter and summer legit circuits annually. Among their hit plays are: HOT LINE TO HEAVEN, PARIS IS OUT, ME AND THEE, ABSENCE OF A CELLO, HOLIDAY FOR LOVERS, LOVE AND KISSES, TIME OUT FOR GINGER, DEAR RUTH, NEVER TOO LATE, OUR TOWN, and FATHER OF THE BRIDE.

Pat’s own book on the story of his life, THE WIND AT MY BACK was published in ’64 and received both critics’ and public accolades. He has started another book with the tentative title of LEPRECHAUNS I HAVE KNOWN. He recently recorded his third album, PROUDLY WEAR THE GREEN, being a composite of stories, poetry, and music from his lore of Ireland.

One of the proud moments of his life occurred in 1946 when he and his wife were invited to a Command Performance and were personally presented to Queen Mary and King George. Another memorable highlight — recently, he and Eloise were guests of President and Mrs. Ford at the White House at a dinner honoring the Prime Minister of Ireland and Mrs. Cosgrave.

He feels proud and privileged to have worked with some of the greatest directors in motion picture history: John Ford, Frank Capra, Lewis Milestone, Mervyn Leroy, Frank Borzage, Billy Wilder, and Victor Fleming.

He is a Life-Member of The Lambs Club, a Member of the Players’ Club, and Ex-Harlequin (President) of the Masquers. On November 15, 1969 The Lambs in New York honored him on his 50th Golden Year in Show Business. In 1972 the American Academy of Dramatic Arts honored him with their Achievement Award.

The vitality behind Pat O’Brien’s continuing success is sustained by his enthusiasm for his work and the inexhaustible zest and excitement for living that he had when he abandoned his education in law to go on the stage. Of this giant of entertainment the world properly speaks with pride.
[Historic Elitch Theatre Program, July 21, 1980, The Second Time Around.]