Born: March 29, 1908 – Died: August 31, 1968
Dennis O'Keefe's journey in Hollywood is a classic tale of perseverance and talent. Born in Fort Madison, Iowa, on March 29, 1908, he was the son of vaudevillian parents, "Flanagan and Edwards, the Rollicking Twosome." His early exposure to the stage set the foundation for his future career in the entertainment industry.
Early Life and Career
O'Keefe's early life was marked by his involvement in show business. He accompanied his parents on stage, laying the groundwork for his affinity with acting. During his teenage years, he dabbled in writing film scripts while attending college, showcasing his early creative flair. O'Keefe first attempted to break into films as an extra under his birth name, Bud Flanagan. His natural charm and distinctive grin soon caught the attention of industry insiders.
His first significant role came under his new stage name, Dennis O'Keefe, as he transitioned from a background player to a leading man in action dramas and comedies. His contract with MGM, which began in the late 1930s, saw him starring in various roles that highlighted his versatility. Post-MGM, he freelanced and appeared in several notable films, including "T-Men" (1947) and "Brewster's Millions" (1945). His performance in these films cemented his status as a talented actor.
O'Keefe also ventured into radio, where he excelled in balancing drama with light comedy. This period marked a prolific phase in his career, where he juggled roles on radio and film. He further demonstrated his artistic range by directing and co-scripting films, such as a crime thriller set in Rome.
In his personal life, O'Keefe was married to Steffi Duna, with whom he had two children. He was also known for his contributions as a writer and director, indicating his multifaceted talent in the entertainment industry.
Dennis O'Keefe's death on August 31, 1968, due to lung cancer, marked the end of an era. He left behind a legacy that highlights the journey of a versatile actor who rose from a background extra to a prominent figure in Hollywood. His ability to transition across various facets of show business - acting, writing, and directing - underscores his status as a distinguished figure in the entertainment industry.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Petticoat Junction (TV Series) | Walter O'Connor |
| 1964 | Deadline for Murder | Paul Ashley |
| 1963 | The Red Skelton Hour (TV Series) | Sid the Snitch |
| 1961–1962 | Follow the Sun (TV Series) | Harry B. Hogan |
| 1961 | The Dick Powell Theatre (TV Series) | Pete Flannery |
| 1961 | The Joey Bishop Show (TV Series) | Brian Taylor |
| 1961 | All Hands on Deck | Lt. Cmdr. Brian O'Gara |
| 1960 | Riverboat (TV Series) | Dan Muldoon |
| 1959–1960 | The Dennis O'Keefe Show (TV Series) | Hal Towne |
| 1958 | Suspicion (TV Series) | John Wycherly | Victor |
| 1958 | Studio 57 (TV Series) | Dick Richards |
| 1957 | Lady of Vengeance | William T. Marshall |
| 1957 | El aventurero | Steve Ryman |
| 1957 | Schlitz Playhouse (TV Series) | Prof. Stephen Bolt |
| 1957 | Dragoon Wells Massacre | Capt. Matt Riordan |
| 1956 | Playhouse 90 (TV Series) | Ben Birch |
| 1954–1956 | Climax! (TV Series) | Howard Davenport | Fred Long | Evans ... |
| 1951–1956 | Lux Video Theatre (TV Series) | Bill | Captain John Danforth | Jeff Sewell ... |
| 1956 | Studio One (TV Series) | Will |
| 1956 | Kraft Theatre (TV Series) | Ken Wilson |
| 1956 | Inside Detroit | Blair Vickers |
| 1956 | Screen Directors Playhouse (TV Series) | Reverend Charles Parker |
| 1955 | Chicago Syndicate | Barry Amsterdam |
| 1955 | Las Vegas Shakedown | Joe Barnes |
| 1955 | Producers' Showcase (TV Series) | James Carroll |
| 1954 | Angela | Steve Catlett |
| 1954 | Justice (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1954 | The Diamond Wizard | Joe Dennison |
| 1954 | Drums of Tahiti | Mike Macklin |
| 1950–1953 | Suspense (TV Series) | Vince |
| 1953 | The Fake | Paul Mitchell |
| 1953 | Robert Montgomery Presents (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1953 | The Lady Wants Mink | Jim Connors |
| 1952 | Everything I Have Is Yours | Alec Tackabury |
| 1952 | The Gulf Playhouse (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1952 | One Big Affair | Jimmy Donovan |
| 1951 | Passage West | Jacob Karns |
| 1951 | Follow the Sun | Chuck Williams |
| 1951 | Nash Airflyte Theatre (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1951 | The Company She Keeps | Larry Collins |
| 1950 | Woman on the Run | Dan Legget |
| 1950 | The Eagle and the Hawk | Whitney Randolph |
| 1949 | Abandoned | Mark Sitko |
| 1949 | The Great Dan Patch | David Palmer |
| 1949 | Cover Up | Sam Donovan |
| 1949 | Siren of Atlantis | Capt. Jean Morhange |
| 1948 | Walk a Crooked Mile | Daniel F. O'Hara |
| 1948 | Raw Deal | Joseph Emmett 'Joe' Sullivan |
| 1947 | T-Men | Dennis O'Brien - aka Vannie Harrigan |
| 1947 | Dishonored Lady | Dr. David S. Cousins |
| 1947 | Mr. District Attorney | Steve Bennett |
| 1946 | Her Adventurous Night | Bill Fry |
| 1945 | Doll Face | Michael Francis 'Mike' Hannegan |
| 1945 | Getting Gertie's Garter | Dr. Kenneth B. Ford |
| 1945 | Earl Carroll Vanities | Danny Baldwin |
| 1945 | Brewster's Millions | Montague L. 'Monty' Brewster |
| 1945 | The Affairs of Susan | Bill Anthony |
| 1944 | Abroad with Two Yanks | Jeff Reardon |
| 1944 | Sensations of 1945 | Junior Crane |
| 1944 | The Story of Dr. Wassell | Benjamin 'Hoppy' Hopkins |
| 1944 | Up in Mabel's Room | Gary Ainsworth |
| 1944 | The Fighting Seabees | Lt. Cmdr. Robert Yarrow |
| 1943 | Hi Diddle Diddle | Sonny Phyffe |
| 1943 | The Leopard Man | Jerry Manning |
| 1943 | Good Morning, Judge | David Barton |
| 1943 | Tahiti Honey | Mickey Monroe |
| 1943 | Hangmen Also Die! | Jan Horak |
| 1942 | Moonlight Masquerade | John Bennett Jr. |
| 1942 | The Affairs of Jimmy Valentine | Mike Jason |
| 1941 | Weekend for Three | Jim Craig |
| 1941 | Lady Scarface | Lt. Bill Mason |
| 1941 | Broadway Limited | Dr. Harvey North |
| 1941 | Mr. District Attorney | P. Cadwallader Jones |
| 1941 | Topper Returns | Bob |
| 1940 | Bowery Boy | Dr. Tom O'Hara |
| 1940 | You'll Find Out | Chuck Deems |
| 1940 | I'm Nobody's Sweetheart Now | Tod Lowell |
| 1940 | Arise, My Love | Shep |
| 1940 | Girl from Havana | Woody Davis |
| 1940 | Pop Always Pays | Jeff Thompson |
| 1940 | La Conga Nights | Steve Collins |
| 1940 | Alias the Deacon | Johnny Sloan |
| 1939 | That's Right - You're Wrong | Chuck Deems - the Band Manager |
| 1939 | Unexpected Father | Jimmy Hanley |
| 1939 | The Kid from Texas | William Quincy |
| 1939 | Burn 'Em Up O'Connor | Jerry O'Connor |
| 1938 | Vacation from Love | W.D. 'Bill' Blair |
| 1938 | The Chaser | Thomas Z. 'Tom' Brandon |
| 1938 | Hold That Kiss | Tommy Bradford |
| 1938 | A Yank at Oxford | Racetrack Handler (uncredited) |
| 1937 | The Bad Man of Brimstone | Jeffrey Burton |
| 1937 | Conquest | Jan Walewska (uncredited) |
| 1937 | Life Begins with Love | Musician (uncredited) |
| 1937 | Big City | Stanley - Independent Cab Driver (uncredited) |
| 1937 | The Firefly | French Soldier Admirer (uncredited) |
| 1937 | Double or Nothing | Nightclub Patron (uncredited) |
| 1937 | Vogues of 1938 | Nightclub Patron (uncredited) |
| 1937 | One Mile from Heaven | Party Guest (uncredited) |
| 1937 | The Lady Escapes | Minor Role (uncredited) |
| 1937 | Saratoga | Second Bidder | Dancer at Party (uncredited) |
| 1937 | Between Two Women | Patricia's Friend (uncredited) |
| 1937 | Easy Living | Office Manager (uncredited) |
| 1937 | Blazing Barriers | Club Manager (uncredited) |
| 1937 | The Great Gambini | Nightclub Patron (uncredited) |
| 1937 | Riding on Air | Radium Plane 23 Co-Pilot (uncredited) |
| 1937 | Married Before Breakfast | Salesman (uncredited) |
| 1937 | The Girl from Scotland Yard | John (as Bud Flanagan) |
| 1937 | Captains Courageous | Minor Role (uncredited) |
| 1937 | Make Way for Tomorrow | Nightclub Patron (uncredited) |
| 1937 | Nobody's Baby | Nightclub Patron (uncredited) |
| 1937 | *A Star is Born* | Burke's Party Guest (uncredited) |
| 1937 | Top of the Town | Frank (uncredited) |
| 1937 | Swing High, Swing Low | Purser (uncredited) |
| 1937 | Parole Racket | Thompson, Reporter (uncredited) |
| 1937 | History Is Made at Night | Restaurant Patron (uncredited) |
| 1937 | When's Your Birthday? | Nightclub Extra | Party Extra | Fight Spectator (uncredited) |
| 1937 | They Wanted to Marry | Wedding Guest (uncredited) |
| 1937 | Champagne Waltz | Dance Extra at Blue Danube Room (uncredited) |
| 1936 | Beloved Enemy | Reception Guest (uncredited) |
| 1936 | Three Smart Girls | Nightclub Extra (unconfirmed, uncredited) |
| 1936 | Sinner Take All | Night Club Guest (uncredited) |
| 1936 | Hats Off | Nightclub Patron (uncredited) |
| 1936 | Born to Dance | Spectator at Lonely Hearts Club (uncredited) |
| 1936 | The Accusing Finger | Reporter (uncredited) |
| 1936 | The Plainsman | Man #2 (uncredited) |
| 1936 | Theodora Goes Wild | Man (uncredited) |
| 1936 | Legion of Terror | New Postal Inspector (uncredited) |
| 1936 | Rose Bowl | Jones (uncredited) |
| 1936 | Libeled Lady | Barker at Charity Affair (uncredited) |
| 1936 | The Big Broadcast of 1937 | Sound Technician (uncredited) |
| 1936 | Sworn Enemy | Bandleader (uncredited) |
| 1936 | Swing Time | Dancer in 'The Way You Look Tonight' Number (uncredited) |
| 1936 | Great Guy | Party Guest (uncredited) |
| 1936 | Piccadilly Jim | Petie McGregor (uncredited) |
| 1936 | Yours for the Asking | Man (uncredited) |
| 1936 | The Bride Walks Out | New Year's Eve Night Club Celebrant (uncredited) |
| 1936 | Public Enemy's Wife | Wedding Guest (uncredited) |
| 1936 | Rhythm on the Range | Sidewalk Heckler (uncredited) |
| 1936 | San Francisco | New Year's Celebrant (uncredited) |
| 1936 | The Return of Sophie Lang | S.S. Niantic Passenger (uncredited) |
| 1936 | The Last Outlaw | Reporter (uncredited) |
| 1936 | Private Number | Gambler (uncredited) |
| 1936 | Fury | Reporter (uncredited) |
| 1936 | Nobody's Fool | Young Man (uncredited) |
| 1936 | Show Boat | Blackface Dancer (uncredited) |
| 1936 | And So They Were Married | Drunk in Car (uncredited) |
| 1936 | 13 Hours by Air | Baker - Co-Pilot (as Bud Flannagan) |
| 1936 | Small Town Girl | Man Dancing in Tavern (uncredited) |
| 1936 | Mr. Deeds Goes to Town | Courtroom Reporter (uncredited) |
| 1936 | *The Great Ziegfeld* | Dancer (uncredited) |
| 1936 | Till We Meet Again | Viennese Cafe Patron (uncredited) |
| 1936 | The Singing Kid | Bud (uncredited) |
| 1936 | Burning Gold | Derrick Worker (as Bud Flanagan) |
| 1936 | Colleen | Extra on Dance Floor (uncredited) |
| 1936 | Love Before Breakfast | College Boy (uncredited) |
| 1936 | Anything Goes | Party Boy with Reno (uncredited) |
| 1936 | Strike Me Pink | Club Lido Patron (uncredited) |
| 1935 | Broadway Hostess | Donald Ross - Ronnie's Friend (uncredited) |
| 1935 | In Person | Chorus Boy (uncredited) |
| 1935 | The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo | Onlooker at Casino (uncredited) |
| 1935 | A Feather in Her Hat | Theatregoer (uncredited) |
| 1935 | Personal Maid's Secret | Dinner Guest (uncredited) |
| 1935 | Shipmates Forever | Trainee (uncredited) |
| 1935 | It's in the Air | Announcer | Nightclub Patron (uncredited) |
| 1935 | The Girl Friend | Soldier in Play (uncredited) |
| 1935 | Here Comes the Band | Party Guest at Reunion (uncredited) |
| 1935 | Anna Karenina | Best Man at Wedding (uncredited) |
| 1935 | Top Hat | Elevator Passenger | Hotel Guest (uncredited) |
| 1935 | Every Night at Eight | Huxley Employee (uncredited) |
| 1935 | Dante's Inferno | Ship Passenger (uncredited) |
| 1935 | The Daring Young Man | Wedding Participant (uncredited) |
| 1935 | Doubting Thomas | Member of Audience (uncredited) |
| 1935 | A Night at the Biltmore Bowl (Short) | Dancer (uncredited) |
| 1935 | Let 'em Have It | Trainee (uncredited) |
| 1935 | The Misses Stooge (Short) | Party Guest (uncredited) |
| 1935 | Baby Face Harrington | Country Club Patron (uncredited) |
| 1935 | Mississippi | Party Guest (uncredited) |
| 1935 | Gold Diggers of 1935 | Newspaper Reporter | Specialty Dancer (uncredited) |
| 1935 | The Wedding Night | Party Guest (uncredited) |
| 1935 | One New York Night | Man in Hotel Lobby (uncredited) |
| 1935 | Devil Dogs of the Air | Student (uncredited) |
| 1935 | Rumba | Man in Diana's Party at Theatre (uncredited) |
| 1935 | The Gilded Lily | Nightclub Extra (uncredited) |
| 1935 | Biography of a Bachelor Girl | (uncredited) |
| 1934 | In a Pig's Eye (Short) | Party Guest (uncredited) |
| 1934 | White Lies | Dinner Guest (uncredited) |
| 1934 | 365 Nights in Hollywood | Dancing Boy (uncredited) |
| 1934 | Broadway Bill | (uncredited) |
| 1934 | College Rhythm | Department Store Doorman (uncredited) |
| 1934 | Kid Millions | Chorus Boy in Ship's Show (uncredited) |
| 1934 | Transatlantic Merry-Go-Round | Passenger Watching Revue (uncredited) |
| 1934 | Imitation of Life | Party Guest (uncredited) |
| 1934 | Everything's Ducky (Short) | Party Guest (uncredited) |
| 1934 | Lady by Choice | Nightclub Patron (uncredited) |
| 1934 | Two Heads on a Pillow | Night Club Patron (uncredited) |
| 1934 | A Lost Lady | Dance Extra (uncredited) |
| 1934 | Young and Beautiful | Nightclub Patron (uncredited) |
| 1934 | Death on the Diamond | Game Radio Announcer (uncredited) |
| 1934 | Desirable | Party Guest (uncredited) |
| 1934 | Gift of Gab | Dancer (uncredited) |
| 1934 | The Man with Two Faces | Theatregoer (uncredited) |
| 1934 | The Girl from Missouri | Party Guest (uncredited) |
| 1934 | Paris Interlude | Charles Lindbergh (uncredited) |
| 1934 | We're Rich Again | Wedding Guest (uncredited) |
| 1934 | Midnight Alibi | Birthday Party Guest (uncredited) |
| 1934 | Madame Du Barry | King's Attendant with Robe (uncredited) |
| 1934 | Fog Over Frisco | Van Brugh - Reporter (uncredited) |
| 1934 | Smarty | Nightclub Patron (uncredited) |
| 1934 | Murder at the Vanities | Chorus Boy (uncredited) |
| 1934 | He Was Her Man | Man Leaving Courtroom (uncredited) |
| 1934 | Twenty Million Sweethearts | Reporter | Woodcliff Inn Patron (uncredited) |
| 1934 | Upperworld | Photographer (uncredited) |
| 1934 | Registered Nurse | Interne (uncredited) |
| 1934 | Jimmy the Gent | Chester Coote - Wallingham Assistant (uncredited) |
| 1934 | Coming Out Party | Party Guest (uncredited) |
| 1934 | Wonder Bar | Chorus Boy (uncredited) |
| 1934 | All of Me | Policeman (uncredited) |
| 1934 | The Meanest Gal in Town | Undetermined Role (uncredited) |
| 1933 | The House on 56th Street | Gambler (uncredited) |
| 1933 | Lady Killer | Casino Patron (uncredited) |
| 1933 | Blood Money | Racetrack Spectator (uncredited) |
| 1933 | Duck Soup | Bridegroom at Firefly's Reception (uncredited) |
| 1933 | The Prizefighter and the Lady | Nightclub Patron (uncredited) |
| 1933 | Broadway Thru a Keyhole | Nightclub Patron (uncredited) |
| 1933 | Only Yesterday | New Year's Eve Reveler (uncredited) |
| 1933 | Bombshell | Nightclub Patron (uncredited) |
| 1933 | I'm No Angel | Courtroom Reporter (uncredited) |
| 1933 | Footlight Parade | Chorus Boy (uncredited) |
| 1933 | Too Much Harmony | Cafe Patron (uncredited) |
| 1933 | Torch Singer | Nightclub Patron (uncredited) |
| 1933 | Midnight Club | Dance Extra (uncredited) |
| 1933 | She Had to Say Yes | Cabaret Patron (uncredited) |
| 1933 | College Humor | Student (uncredited) |
| 1933 | Ann Carver's Profession | Dinner Party Guest (uncredited) |
| 1933 | Cocktail Hour | Party Guest (uncredited) |
| 1933 | Gold Diggers of 1933 | Theatregoer (uncredited) |
| 1933 | The Phantom of the Air | Party Guest (uncredited) |
| 1933 | The Eagle and the Hawk | Flier (uncredited) |
| 1933 | A Bedtime Story | A Friend (uncredited) |
| 1933 | Girl Missing | Casino Patron (uncredited) |
| 1933 | From Hell to Heaven | Louie - Switchboard Operator (uncredited) |
| 1933 | 42nd Street | Chorus Boy (uncredited) |
| 1933 | Grand Slam | Elevator Rider | Liederkranz Club Patron (uncredited) |
| 1933 | The Woman Accused | Party Extra (uncredited) |
| 1933 | Hello, Everybody! | Casino Patron (uncredited) |
| 1933 | Hot Pepper | Montmartre Cafe Patron (uncredited) |
| 1932 | Central Park | Casino Diner (uncredited) |
| 1932 | Tess of the Storm Country | Dance Extra at Party (uncredited) |
| 1932 | I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang | Café Chateau Dancer (uncredited) |
| 1932 | Night After Night | Drunk Sleeping on a Table (uncredited) |
| 1932 | Hat Check Girl | A Party Guest (uncredited) |
| 1932 | A Bill of Divorcement | Party Guest (uncredited) |
| 1932 | The Cabin in the Cotton | Dance Floor Guest at Madge's Party (uncredited) |
| 1932 | Blonde Venus | Minor Role (uncredited) |
| 1932 | Big City Blues | Dice Spectator (uncredited) |
| 1932 | Two Against the World | Party Guest | Reporter (uncredited) |
| 1932 | Crooner | Nightclub Dance Patron (uncredited) |
| 1932 | Skyscraper Souls | Stock Brokerage Clerk (uncredited) |
| 1932 | Bachelor's Affairs | Nightclub Patron (uncredited) |
| 1932 | Hollywood Speaks | Seated at 2nd Level Table in Night Club (uncredited) |
| 1932 | The Man from Yesterday | Cafe Patron (uncredited) |
| 1932 | Week Ends Only | Gambling Club Extra at Bar (uncredited) |
| 1932 | Merrily We Go to Hell | Wedding Usher (uncredited) |
| 1932 | Huddle | Dinner Dance Guest (uncredited) |
| 1932 | Scarface | Night Club Patron (uncredited) |
| 1932 | The Cohens and Kellys in Hollywood | Man at Dance (uncredited) |
| 1932 | Devil's Lottery | Derbied Extra at Track (uncredited) |
| 1932 | Love Affair | One of Carol's Friends at Party (uncredited) |
| 1932 | Running Hollywood (Short) | Party Guest (uncredited) |
| 1931 | Under Eighteen | Penthouse Party Guest (uncredited) |
| 1931 | Working Girls | Dance Extra (uncredited) |
| 1931 | West of Broadway | Nightclub Patron (uncredited) |
| 1931 | Smart Woman | Passenger Departing Ship (uncredited) |
| 1931 | Honeymoon Trio (Short) | Wedding Guest (uncredited) |
| 1931 | The Miracle Woman | Man in Audience (uncredited) |
| 1931 | Laugh and Get Rich | Young Man at Dance (uncredited) |
| 1931 | *Cimarron* | (uncredited) |
| 1930 | Reaching for the Moon | Ship's Party Guest (uncredited) |
| 1930 | The Silver Horde | Night Club Patron (uncredited) |
| 1930 | Check and Double Check | Party Guest (uncredited) |
General:
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