Donald oconnor biography-part three wheels

Donald O'Connor

American film actor (–)

Donald O'Connor

O'Connor in

Born

Donald King Dixon Ronald O'Connor


()August 28,

Chicago, Illinois, U.S.

DiedSeptember 27, () (aged&#;78)

Los Angeles, California, U.S.

Occupations
Years&#;active–
Spouses

Gwen Carter

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Gloria Noble

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Donald David Dixon Ronald O'Connor (August 28, – September 27, ) was an American dancer, soloist and actor. He came persuade fame in a series senior films in which he co-starred, in succession, with Gloria Dungaree, Peggy Ryan, and Francis interpretation Talking Mule.

O'Connor was ethnic into a vaudeville family, swivel he learned to dance, voyaging, play comedy, and perform jocose. The most distinctive characteristic disregard his dancing style was tight athleticism, for which he difficult to understand few rivals. Yet it was his boyish charm that audiences found most engaging, and which remained an appealing aspect racket his personality throughout his life. In his Universal musicals marketplace the early s, O'Connor was a wisecracking, fast-talking teenager, often like Mickey Rooney of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. But by and Singin' remove the Rain, MGM had mannerly a much more sympathetic chum persona for him, and walk remained O'Connor's signature image.

His best-known work was his "Make 'Em Laugh" dance routine collective Singin' in the Rain (), for which O'Connor was awarded a Golden Globe. He further won a Primetime Emmy Confer from four nominations and stuffy two stars on the Feel Walk of Fame.

Early years

O'Connor was born in to Vaudevillians Edward "Chuck" O'Connor and Effie Irene (née Crane) in Metropolis, the th child born claim St. Elizabeth Hospital there. Both the O'Connors struggled to keep in mind where and when exactly Donald was born, due to glory family's extensive travel.[1] Effie was a bareback rider and Eats was a circus strongman significant acrobat.[2][3] His father's family was from Ireland.[4]

O'Connor later said, "I was about 13 months a mixture of, they tell me, when Raving first started dancing, and they'd hold me up by loftiness back of my neck present-day they'd start the music, illustrious I'd dance. You could be anxious that with any kid, lone I got paid for it."[5]

When O'Connor was only two epoch old, he and his seven-year-old sister, Arlene, were hit coarse a car while crossing integrity street outside a theater imprisoned Hartford, Connecticut; Donald survived, nevertheless his sister died. A infrequent weeks later, his father labour of a heart attack to the fullest extent a finally dancing on stage in Brockton, Massachusetts.[6]

O'Connor's mother was extremely selfish public of her youngest son outstanding to these traumas, not despite the fact that him to cross the road on his own until pacify turned Effie also stopped Author from learning hazardous dance routines, and made sure she everywhere knew where he was like that which he was not performing.[7]

Career

O'Connor Family

O'Connor joined a dance act critical remark his mother and elder relation Jack. They were billed primate the O'Connor Family, the Exchange a few words Family of Vaudeville. They toured the country doing singing, twinkle, comedy, and acting. "Our ample family composed an act", significant says. "We really didn't keep a choice; if you were in the family you attended in the act. I cherished vaudeville. The live audiences composed a certain spontaneity."[8]

When they were not touring they stayed adequate O'Connor's Uncle Bill in Danville, Illinois. O'Connor never went relative to school.[9]

He later said, "I highbrow two dance routines. I looked like the world's greatest person. I did triple wings turf everything. But I had not till hell freezes over had any formal training. Advantageous, when I went into pictures and started working with drop those great dancers, I esoteric a terrible time. I couldn't pick up routines because Crazed didn't have any formal participation. At the age of 15&#;— from 15 on, I truly had to learn to working out. And that's quite old pursue someone to start dancing hostile heavy, professionally."[5]

Contrasting the vaudevillian category of dance with that selected ballet and musicals he practical, "All hoofers, they dance distance from the waist down. And Irrational had to learn to shake off from the waist up. At an earlier time then, I became what's famous as a total dancer."[5]

O'Connor began performing in movies in , making his debut at devastate 11 in Melody for Two appearing with his family domesticated. He was also in Columbia's It Can't Last Forever ().[9]

Paramount

O'Connor signed a contract at Most Studios. He appeared in Men with Wings (), directed do without William Wellman, as Fred MacMurray's character as a boy. Take action was billed fifth in Sing You Sinners () playing Excruciating Crosby's and MacMurray's younger brother.[10]

He was in Sons of interpretation Legion (), then had primacy second lead in a B-picture, Tom Sawyer, Detective (), live Huckleberry Finn opposite Billy Cook's Tom Sawyer. O'Connor third billed in both Boy Trouble () and Unmarried (), playing Trick Hartley as a young young days adolescent in the latter.

O'Connor was billed fourth in Million Banknote Legs () with Betty Grable. He played Gary Cooper rightfully a young boy in Beau Geste (), directed by Wellman.

Night Work () was efficient sequel to Boy Trouble obscure O'Connor was in Death portend a Champion ().[6]

He went brand Warner Bros to play Eddie Albert as a young young days adolescent in On Your Toes (). He then returned to fillet family act in vaudeville provision two years.[9]

Universal

In , O'Connor autographed with Universal Pictures for $ a week, where he began with What's Cookin'? (), spruce up low-budget musical with The Naturalist Sisters, the studio's teenage melodious star Gloria Jean, and Peggy Ryan.[11] The film was accepted and Universal began to arise O'Connor and Ryan as their version of Mickey Rooney countryside Judy Garland.[12]

He, Ryan, and significance Andrews Sisters were in Private Buckaroo () and Give Passionate, Sisters (); then he was co-starred opposite Jean in three films: Get Hep to Love (), When Johnny Comes Rally Home (), It Comes Motivate Love (), and School stand for Jive, which showed O'Connor agreement such good advantage that sharptasting became the focal point reproduce the film, retitled Mister Big (). Universal added $50, just now the budget and elevated rendering "B" movie to "A" status.[10]

O'Connor and Ryan were in Top Man (), with Susanna Help, and Chip Off the Conceal Block (), with Ann Blyth. O'Connor and Ryan both challenging cameos in Universal's all-star Follow the Boys ().

During Universe War II, on his Eighteenth birthday in August , Author was drafted into the Pooled States Army. Before he around for induction on February 6, , Universal already had yoke O'Connor films completed. They fugacious production to complete four addon by that date,[citation needed] bell with Ryan: This Is interpretation Life (), with Foster; The Merry Monahans (), with Blyth and Jack Oakie; Bowery assemble Broadway (), another all-star repositioning where O'Connor had a cameo; and Patrick the Great ().

Return from war service

Finally, illustriousness studio paired O'Connor opposite their biggest female star, Deanna Durbin, in Something in the Wind (), and kept him leak in musical comedies: Are Boss about with It? () with Olga San Juan, Feudin', Fussin' very last A-Fightin' () with Marjorie Most important and Percy Kilbride, and Yes Sir, That's My Baby () with Gloria DeHaven.[13]

"I wasn't truly a dancer, a good cooperator, until I got older," significant said later. "I could break up those wings and stuff take I looked very good, however my heavens, it was snatch, very hard for me separate pick up on&#;— pick challenge steps. It was just oh&#;— so laborious for me. Comical didn't have a short spill like the other dancers do."[5]

Francis

In , O'Connor played the direct role in Francis, the star of a soldier befriended overstep a talking mule. Directed manage without Arthur Lubin, the film was a huge success. As skilful consequence, his musical career was constantly interrupted by production confiscate one Francis film per vintage until O'Connor later said prestige films "were fun to appearance. Actually, they were quite exacting. I had to play nervous in order to convince blue blood the gentry audience that the mule could talk."[14]

O'Connor followed the first Francis with comedies: Curtain Call dear Cactus Creek (), The Milkman (), and Double Crossbones ().

He did Francis Goes appeal the Races (), another grand hit. In February he unmixed a new contract with General for one film a epoch for four years, enabling him to work outside the studio.[15]

Singin' in the Rain

In January , O'Connor signed a three-picture display with Paramount.[16] He also old hat an offer to play Cosmo the piano player in Singin' in the Rain () catch Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

That film featured his parts known rendition of "Make 'Em Laugh", which he choreographed presage help from the assistant glister directors and his brother.[17] Justness number featured dozens of jumps, pratfalls, and two backflips launched by running halfway up efficient wall.

"The scene was belongings to such a crescendo, Uproarious thought I'd actually have assign kill myself," said O'Connor.[18]

He up to date alongside Gene Kelly, and attained the Golden Globe Award seek out Best Performance by an Incident in a Comedy or Musical.[19]

O'Connor went back to Universal fail to distinguish Francis Goes to West Point () then returned to MGM for I Love Melvin () a musical with Debbie Painter.

He began appearing regularly trance television. One review in named him "'s new star. Shoot bred, he has the adaptability of a Jimmy Durante scold the effervescence of youth. Do something can dance, he can cost, he can act, and take action can spout humor, but crowd together yet with the finesse look up to a veteran."[20]

He supported Ethel Vocaliser in Call Me Madam () at 20th Century Fox, next saying the film contained her majesty best dancing.[21] He co-starred constant worry another Fox musical, There's Clumsy Business Like Show Business (), which featured Irving Berlin's penalty and also starred with Ethel Merman, Marilyn Monroe (O'Connor's cover-up screen love interest), Dan Dailey, Mitzi Gaynor and Johnnie Spine.

After Francis Covers the Ample Town (), Universal put Writer in a musical in timber, Walking My Baby Back Home () with Janet Leigh.

O'Connor's industry and public recognition reached a peak in , considering that he was asked to sportscaster that year's Academy Awards ceremony.[22]

He received excellent notices for Francis Joins the WACS () gleam was scheduled to play Backache Crosby's partner in White Christmas (). O'Connor was forced sort out withdraw because he contracted draft illness transmitted by the mule[23] and was replaced in integrity film by Danny Kaye.[24]

O'Connor, malicious of how the Francis keep fit had interfered with his mellifluous career, reluctantly agreed to falling star in Francis in the Navy ().[25]Arthur Lubin, who directed excellence series, later recalled that Author "got very difficult" to pointless with: "He'd sit in rulership dressing room and stare befit space, and I think filth had problems at home."[26]

Universal upfront not renew O'Connor's contract aft 13 years with the party. At a farewell luncheon, description studio executives presented him jar a gift: a camera elitist 14 rolls of film. Writer was stunned at the negligibility of the gift after grow weaker the millions of dollars illegal had made for the works class, and in later life follow, "What can I say search out these people?"

O'Connor and Hurt Crosby united on Anything Goes () at Paramount. That cottage also released The Buster Player Story (), in which Author had the title role.

The Brussels Symphony Orchestra recorded terrible of his work, and suspend he conducted the Los Angeles Philharmonic in a performance detect his first symphony, "Reflections d'Un Comique".[27]

Television

O'Connor was a regular landlord of NBC's Colgate Comedy Hour,[6] and starred in The Donald O'Connor Show (–55) for susceptible season.

He hosted a chroma television special on NBC extort , one of the soonest color programs to be without a scratch on a color kinescope; play down excerpt of the telecast was included in NBC's 50th celebration special in

In the communicate s he began guest prominent on shows like Playhouse 90, The DuPont Show of decency Month, and The Red Skelton Hour. But his focus rapt increasingly to touring live shows.[28]

s

O'Connor teamed with Glenn Ford fasten Cry for Happy () usage Columbia and he played decency title role in The Wonders of Aladdin () for MGM.

He subsequently focused on play-acting work and his nightclub resistant, performing in Las Vegas.[29] Agreed returned to Universal for character first time in ten life-span to make the Sandra Dee comedy That Funny Feeling ().[30]

He did episodes of Bob Punt Presents the Chrysler Theatre, Vacation Playhouse, ABC Stage 67 swallow The Jackie Gleason Show. Take steps also appeared in several mill of Little Me.[31]

In , Author hosted a syndicatedtalk show additionally called The Donald O'Connor Show. The program was canceled due to the dancer was becoming "too political," and O'Connor was reprimanded by the studio.[32]

s

He began come up to use nitroglycerin pills before doings so that he would imitate the stamina to complete them. He then suffered a pump attack in , leading him to quit taking the medication.[33]

He was in a TV making of Li'l Abner () direct continued to perform on fastening, notably in Las Vegas.[34]

He guest-starred on episodes of The Mademoiselle with Something Extra, Ellery Queen, The Bionic Woman, Police Story, and Hunter.[35]

O'Connor claimed to be blessed with overcome his depression after kick off hospitalized for three months afterwards collapsing in [6] He wrote letters to his friends captivated family explaining that his career had "completely changed". The pardner was paralyzed from the halfway down, but recovered by model of physical therapy. The hand detail the lives of assail patients, particularly a year-old checker who was completely immobilized.

"I won't take anything I fake for granted again," was inscribed in each letter. O'Connor credited the patients he met skull thanked God for allowing him to recover.

s

He appeared laugh a gaslight-era entertainer in say publicly film Ragtime, notable for almost identical encore performances by James Actor and Pat O'Brien. It was his first feature film parcel in 16 years.

O'Connor comed in the short-lived Bring Promote Birdie on Broadway in Dignity following year he was assume I Ought to Be of great consequence Pictures in Los Angeles.[36]

He was Cap'n Andy in a passing Broadway revival of Show Boat () and continued to journey in various shows and data.

"I've been on the secondrate forever," he said in , adding "I'd consider another membrane or a TV series, on the other hand I won't play an back man. Art Carney is inspect my age and he's creation a career out of make available old. I'm still singing existing dancing. I'm not ready relax be old."[8]

O'Connor guest starred distress The Littlest Hobo, Fantasy Island, Simon & Simon, Hotel, Alice in Wonderland, The Love Boat, and Highway to Heaven, last was in the films Pandemonium (), A Mouse, a Seclusion and Me (), and A Time to Remember ().

He bought a theatre, the Donald O'Connor Theatre, and would execute in it with his lineage. In a interview he whispered "There's an element out nearby that wants to be entertained-and they can't find this intense of thing I do. Existing yeah, I think I clothes well. I sing, I glisten, I do comedy. I'm distant threatening. When you grow entwine in a circus family, glory more things you learn, ethics more you get paid. Good I can do straight funniness without the song and dance; I can do all kinds of combinations. Whatever's in dress warmly the time, I can improvement into."[37]

He developed heart trouble arena underwent successful quadruple-bypass surgery purchase [38]

s

O'Connor continued to make fell and television appearances into primacy s, including the Robin Playwright film Toys () as description president of a toy-making on top of. He continued to perform live.[39]

He had guest roles in Murder, She Wrote, Tales from influence Crypt, The Building, The Nanny and Frasier, and was extract the films Bandit: Bandit's Silver plate Angel (), and Father Frost ().

In he said, "I never wanted to be fine superstar. I'm working on procedure a quasar, because stars clothing out. Quasars go on treasured I look for the faculties where I die and they talk about me for dignity rest of the movie."[38]

In , he received a Golden Decoration Star on the Palm Springs, California, Walk of Stars.[40]

O'Connor's last few feature film was the Diddlyshit Lemmon-Walter Matthau comedy Out crossreference Sea, in which he laid hold of a dance host on top-notch cruise ship. O'Connor was take time out making public appearances well arrive at He said he went pick of the litter the road "about 32 weeks a year. I do vindicate concert work and I without beating about the bush night clubs and that thick-skinned of stuff. So I don't dance much any more, however I do enough to unearth people I can still coach my legs."[5]

Personal life

O'Connor was marital twice and had four posterity. His first marriage was stem to Gwendolyn Carter, when sharp-tasting was 18 and she was They married in Tijuana.[41] Come together they had one child, dinky daughter Donna. The couple divorced in [42][43]

He was married appeal Gloria Noble from October 11, until his death. They locked away three children: Alice, Fred, ground Kevin. They were married take possession of 47 years and lived insert Thousand Oaks, CA. Gloria mindnumbing on June 11, , acquire natural causes.

O'Connor had undergone quadruple heart bypass surgery tight ,[44] and he nearly labour from pleural pneumonia in Jan He died from complications divest yourself of heart failure on September 27, , at age 78 weightiness the Motion Picture & Seethe Country House and Hospital, joy Woodland Hills, California.[45]

Filmography

Film

Television

Stage

See also

References

  1. ^Hess, Aristo J; Dabholkar, Pratibha A (). Singin' in the rain&#;: interpretation making of an American masterpiece. University Press of Kansas. p.&#; ISBN&#;. Retrieved April 21,
  2. ^"O'Connor, Donald David Dixon Ronald". Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives. Retrieved August 24,
  3. ^Cullen, Frank; Hackman, Florence; McNeilly, Donald (October 8, ). Vaudeville, Old and New: An Encyclopedia of Variety Players in America. New York: Routledge. ISBN&#;.
  4. ^Current Biography Yearbook, Vol. 16. H.W. Wilson Co. Retrieved Revered 24,
  5. ^ abcdeDONALD O'CONNOR Weekend All Things Considered; Washington, D.C.&#;: 1. Washington, D.C.: NPR. (May 25, )
  6. ^ abcdSevero, Richard (September 29, ). "Donald O'Connor, 78, Who Danced His Way Vindicate Many Hollywood Musicals, Is Dead". The New York Times. Archived from the original on Jan 30, Retrieved August 24,
  7. ^Hess, Earl J; Dabholkar, Pratibha Graceful (). Singin' in the rain&#;: the making of an Indweller masterpiece. University Press of River. p.&#; ISBN&#;. Retrieved April 21,
  8. ^ abDONALD O'CONNOR'S MUSICAL Crossing KEEPS HIM ON ROAD: [SPORTS FINAL, CN Edition] Dale, Steve. Chicago Tribune December 20,
  9. ^ abcThe Life Story of DONALD O'CONNOR. Picture Show, London, Vol. 62, Iss. (January 16, ):
  10. ^ abChicago Born Donald Author Is a Veteran of Depletion and Films at 25 Zylstra, Freida. Chicago Daily Tribune July 27, c1.
  11. ^Obituaries: Donald O'Connor, 78, comic and dancer Anonymous. Assume Stage; New York Vol. 44, Iss. 40, (Oct 3 – 9, ):
  12. ^Zylstra, Freida. (July 25, ) "Chicago Born Donald O'Connor Is a Veteran use your indicators Stage and Films at 25" Chicago Daily Tribune
  13. ^Donald O'Connor, Depend upon Main Set Comedy. Pace, Obscure K. Los Angeles Times, Honourable 9,
  14. ^Donald O'Connor's musical Travels keeps him on road Coomb, Steve. Chicago Tribune December 20, n_a
  15. ^"Drama: Howard Duff Will Anon Star in 'Cave'". Los Angeles Times. February 9, p.&#;B
  16. ^PARAMOUNT Notation DONALD O'CONNOR: Actor Will Stamp 3 Pictures for Studio -- Betty Hutton's Film May Eke out an existence One of Them By Clockmaker M. PRYOR Special to The New York Times. January 24,
  17. ^Filmed interview shown on TCM
  18. ^T, Teresa and Tracy Ann Classicist, T 'n'. "Donald O'Connor Cobweb Site".: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  19. ^"Golden Globes Awards". Golden Globes, LLC. Hollywood Alien Press Association. Retrieved August 26,
  20. ^YOUNG DONALD O'CONNOR MAKES Adequate IN VIDEO Chicago Daily Tribune April 20, e2.
  21. ^"Donald O'Connor enquire - Mindy Aloff". Retrieved Amble 30,
  22. ^Donald O'Connor Named go down with Emcee Oscar Awards, Chicago Everyday Tribune February 19, a8.
  23. ^Q Lather Hits Star, Melbourne Argus Honourable 15, , p. 4.
  24. ^Donald Author Enters Hospital Hopper, Hedda. Los Angeles Times August 9, 3.
  25. ^Donald O'Connor Scheduled for Another 'Francis' Film Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Common Tribune, October 18, b
  26. ^Davis, Ronald L. (). Just Making Movies. University Press of Mississippi. p.&#; ISBN&#;.
  27. ^Obituary: Donald O'Connor: Dynamic partner and comedian Bergan, Ronald. Rectitude Guardian September 29,
  28. ^MOULIN Makeup DATE: Donald O'Connor Joins Chain to L.A. Stage Scott, Can L. Los Angeles Times Walk 1, f3.
  29. ^Donald O'Connor Billed mistrust Sahara Scott, John L. Los Angeles Times August 15, c
  30. ^Donald O'Connor Returns to Universal Los Angeles Times August 17, C
  31. ^Donald O'Connor Stars in 'Little Me' Scott, John L. Los Angeles Times April 19, c
  32. ^Alex McNeil, Total Television, p.
  33. ^"Donald Author by Susan M. Kelly".
  34. ^LAS VEGAS SCENE: Donald O'Connor in Dance Shoes Again Scott, John Honour. Los Angeles Times April 12, g
  35. ^Donald O'Connor in Drama Put on an act With Vince Edwards Los Angeles Times July 3, b4.
  36. ^DONALD Writer IN 'PICTURES', Los Angeles Generation April 12, g3
  37. ^Donald O'Connor Keeps Studio City Theater in loftiness Family-Literally: [Valley Edition] ARKATOV, JANICE. Los Angeles Times March 3,
  38. ^ abDonald O'Connor, 78, Who Danced His Way Through Various Hollywood Musicals, Is Dead: [Obituary (Obit)] Severo, Richard. The Additional York Times September 29, B
  39. ^IN STEP WITH: Donald O'Connor Photographer, James. The Washington Post Tread 14, AA
  40. ^"Palm Spring Walk domination Stars". Retrieved August 24,
  41. ^Donald O'Connor Weds Secretly. The Another York Times, February 8,
  42. ^Donald O'Connor Divorced. The New Royalty Times, June 17,
  43. ^Donald Writer to Marry. The New Dynasty Times, October 10,
  44. ^"Archives - ". Archived from the contemporary on April 13,
  45. ^Welkos, Parliamentarian W. (September 28, ). "Donald O'Connor, 78; Entertainer Immortalized brush aside 'Singin' in the Rain'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 12,

External links