Born: April 19, 1925 – Died: September 5, 2016
Hugh O'Brian, the charismatic actor known for his role in "The Shootist," broke free from the confines of being labeled a "beefcake" in the early 1950s. Born as Hugh Charles Krampe on April 19, 1925, in Rochester, New York, to Edith Lillian and Hugh John Krampe, he inherited his father's commitment to the United States Marine Corps. With German and German Jewish-English/Scottish ancestry, O'Brian's diverse background fueled his drive to excel. From showcasing his athletic skills to enlisting in the Marines, it was his talent for acting that truly set him apart. Throughout his illustrious career, O'Brian captivated audiences with his undeniable charm and versatility in both film and television.
Early Life and Career
Hugh O'Brian's childhood and upbringing involved moving from place to place, which allowed him to showcase his athletic prowess in various sports. He attended New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois, and later Kemper Military School in Booneville, Missouri. Initially pursuing law, O'Brian dropped out of the University of Cincinnati in 1942 to enlist in The Marine Corps.
After his discharge, O'Brian found himself in Los Angeles, where he joined a theater group and a Santa Barbara stock company to hone his acting skills. It was through director/actress Ida Lupino that he was discovered for television, leading to his signing with Universal Studios for film roles.
Although O'Brian had the term "beefcake" associated with him, he actively avoided the typical typecast roles and sought out more diverse opportunities in his career. His breakthrough role came with the TV series "The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp," where he portrayed the iconic lawman. The show became a hit, catapulting O'Brian to overnight stardom and establishing him as a talented actor in the industry.
Throughout his career, O'Brian showcased his versatility and charm, appearing in a range of films and TV shows. Some notable projects include "The Shootist," where he starred alongside John Wayne, and the TV movie "Wyatt Earp: Return to Tombstone." O'Brian's performances earned him critical acclaim and recognition, leading to his nomination for a Primetime Emmy award.
Outside of his acting career, O'Brian was actively involved in philanthropic endeavors. His proudest achievement was the founding of the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) program in 1958, which aimed to develop young people into future leaders. O'Brian received honorary degrees from several prestigious institutions of higher learning for his contribution to society.
In his personal life, O'Brian remained a perennial bachelor for most of his life. However, he tied the knot at the age of 81 with his longtime companion Virginia Barber. They resided in his Benedict Canyon home until his death.
Hugh O'Brian's impact on Hollywood and the entertainment industry extends beyond his acting talent. He was known for his dedication to his craft, his philanthropic work, and his commitment to breaking free from the constraints of being typecast. O'Brian is considered an icon and a beacon of inspiration, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the world of entertainment.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Call of the Wild (TV Series) | Older Miles |
| 1994 | Wyatt Earp: Return to Tombstone (TV Movie) | Wyatt Earp |
| 1993 | L.A. Law (TV Series) | Raymond Holtz |
| 1991 | The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw (TV Movie) | Wyatt Earp |
| 1990 | Murder, She Wrote (TV Series) | Fred Keppard |
| 1990 | Gunsmoke: The Last Apache (TV Movie) | Gen. Nelson Miles |
| 1989 | Paradise (TV Series) | Wyatt Earp |
| 1988 | Twins | Granger |
| 1988 | Doin' Time on Planet Earth | Richard Camalier |
| 1982 | Bush Doctor (TV Movie) | Dr. Robert Maxell |
| 1982 | Matt Houston (TV Series) | Thomas 'Buck' McCune |
| 1982 | The Love Boat (TV Series) | Gabriel |
| 1977–1982 | Fantasy Island (TV Series) | Heathcliffe | Alan Colshaw | Jason Smith ... |
| 1979 | The Seekers (TV Mini Series) | Andrew Piggot |
| 1978 | Greatest Heroes of the Bible (TV Series) | Abner |
| 1978 | Game of Death | Steiner |
| 1978 | Cruise Into Terror (TV Movie) | Captain Andrews |
| 1977 | Murder at the World Series (TV Movie) | The Governor |
| 1973–1977 | Police Story (TV Series) | Ernie Sitko | Sgt. Rick Daley | Vincent LaSorda |
| 1977 | Benny and Barney: Las Vegas Undercover (TV Movie) | Jack Davis |
| 1976 | Charlie's Angels (TV Series) | Tony Mann |
| 1976 | The Shootist | Pulford |
| 1976 | Good Heavens (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1976 | Killer Force | John Lewis |
| 1975 | Murder on Flight 502 (TV Movie) | Detective Daniel Myerson |
| 1972–1973 | Search (TV Series) | Hugh Lockwood |
| 1972 | Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (TV Series) | Guest Performer |
| 1972 | Probe (TV Movie) | Hugh Lockwood |
| 1971 | Harpy (TV Movie) | Peter Clune |
| 1970 | Swing Out, Sweet Land (TV Movie) | Thomas Jefferson |
| 1970 | Wild Women (TV Movie) | Killian |
| 1968 | A Punt, a Pass, and a Prayer (TV Movie) | Johnny Aragon |
| 1967 | Dial M for Murder (TV Movie) | Mark Halliday |
| 1967 | Africa: Texas Style | Jim Sinclair |
| 1966 | Preview Tonight (TV Series) | Joseph |
| 1966 | Ambush Bay | Sgt. Steve Corey |
| 1965 | Ten Little Indians | Hugh Lombard |
| 1965 | Assassination in Rome | Dick Sherman |
| 1965 | In Harm's Way | U.S. Army Air Corps Major (Liz Eddington's Lover) (uncredited) |
| 1965 | Love Has Many Faces | Hank Walker |
| 1965 | The Red Skelton Hour (TV Series) | Count Mustache |
| 1964–1965 | Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (TV Series) | Quinton Morrow | Stanwood | Mig Semple |
| 1965 | Kraft Suspense Theatre (TV Series) | Detective Matt Lacey |
| 1964 | Vacation Playhouse (TV Series) | Sam Sharp |
| 1963 | The Greatest Show on Earth (TV Series) | Garve |
| 1963 | Come Fly with Me | First Officer Ray Winsley |
| 1963 | Perry Mason (TV Series) | Bruce Jason |
| 1962 | The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (TV Series) | Christopher Martin | Christopher Phillips |
| 1962 | The Virginian (TV Series) | Paul Taylor |
| 1962 | Alcoa Premiere (TV Series) | Miles Hadley |
| 1962 | Theatre '62 (TV Series) | J B |
| 1961 | The Dick Powell Theatre (TV Series) | Jack Farmer |
| 1961 | Feathertop (TV Movie) | Feathertop |
| 1955–1961 | The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp (TV Series) | Wyatt Earp |
| 1961 | Play of the Week (TV Series) | Nathaniel |
| 1961 | Our American Heritage (TV Series) | John Honeyman |
| 1961 | Sunday Showcase (TV Series) | John Honeyman |
| 1960 | General Electric Theater (TV Series) | Sam Sharp |
| 1960 | The Secret World of Eddie Hodges (TV Movie) | Wyatt Earp |
| 1959–1960 | Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse (TV Series) | Murray Kirk | Lt. Lee Baker |
| 1959 | Alias Jesse James | Wyatt Earp (uncredited) |
| 1958 | The Fiend Who Walked the West | Daniel Slade Hardy |
| 1957–1958 | Playhouse 90 (TV Series) | Jason Merrick | Matt Jeffers |
| 1957 | Date with the Angels (TV Series) | Hugh O'Brian (as Hugh O'Brien) |
| 1957 | The Christophers (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1957 | The Ford Television Theatre (TV Series) | Matty Curran |
| 1956 | The Brass Legend | Sheriff Wade Addams |
| 1956 | Matinee Theatre (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1956 | The Star and the Story (TV Series) | Hank Bartlett |
| 1956 | The Danny Thomas Show (TV Series) | Hugh O'Brian |
| 1955 | Celebrity Playhouse (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1955 | The Twinkle in God's Eye | Marty Callahan |
| 1955 | Damon Runyon Theater (TV Series) | Packy |
| 1955 | Stage 7 (TV Series) | Billy the Kid (as Hugh O'Brien) |
| 1955 | The Millionaire (TV Series) | Luke Fortune |
| 1954–1955 | The Loretta Young Show (TV Series) | Larry Brown | Sam Hendricks | Walter Wallington ... |
| 1954–1955 | Studio 57 (TV Series) | Allen Herrick | Giff Dillard |
| 1955 | White Feather | American Horse |
| 1954 | There's No Business Like Show Business | Charles Gibbs |
| 1954 | Broken Lance | Mike Devereaux |
| 1954 | Drums Across the River | Morgan |
| 1954 | Moby Dick (TV Movie) | Starbuck |
| 1954 | Fireman Save My Child | Smitty |
| 1954 | Saskatchewan | Carl Smith |
| 1954 | Taza, Son of Cochise | Settler Killed by Indians (voice, uncredited) |
| 1953 | Back to God's Country | Frank Hudson |
| 1953 | The Stand at Apache River | Tom Kenyon |
| 1953 | The Man from the Alamo | Lt. Lamar |
| 1953 | Seminole | Kajeck |
| 1953 | Meet Me at the Fair | Chilton Corr |
| 1952 | The Lawless Breed | Ike Hanley |
| 1952 | The Raiders | Hank Purvis |
| 1952 | Yankee Buccaneer | Opening Narrator (voice, uncredited) |
| 1952 | Son of Ali Baba | Hussein |
| 1952 | Sally and Saint Anne | Danny O'Moyne |
| 1952 | Red Ball Express | Pvt. Wilson |
| 1952 | The Battle at Apache Pass | Lt. Robert Harley |
| 1952 | The Cimarron Kid | Red Buck |
| 1951 | Cave of Outlaws | Garth |
| 1951 | On the Loose | Dr. Phillips |
| 1951 | Little Big Horn | Pvt. Al DeWalt |
| 1951 | Buckaroo Sheriff of Texas | Ted Gately |
| 1951 | Fighting Coast Guard | Tom Peterson |
| 1950–1951 | Fireside Theatre (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1951 | Vengeance Valley | Dick Fasken |
| 1950 | The Return of Jesse James | Lem Younger |
| 1950 | Beyond the Purple Hills | Jack Beaumont |
| 1950 | Rocketship X-M | Harry Chamberlain | Voice on Loudspeaker |
| 1950 | Never Fear | Len Randall |
| 1949 | D.O.A. | Jazz Fan (uncredited) |
| 1949 | Oboler Comedy Theatre (TV Series) | The Other Man |
| 1948 | Kidnapped | Sailor (uncredited) |
General:
Posted Using InLeo Alpha
