Dave O'Brien (I) (1912–1969)

Writer | Actor | Director

Former chorus boy who would become a star in "B" westerns, and later a successful comedy writer (...

Born: May 31, 1912
Died: November 8, 1969 (age 57)

Photos

Filmography

Known For

Reefer Madness Ralph (1936)
The Red Skelton Hour Writer (1955-1970)
The Pinto Bandit Texas Ranger Tex Wyatt (1944)
Known For

Captain Midnight Captain Albright / Captain Midnight (1942)
Actor

The Red Skelton Hour Blackie (1955-1959)
The O. Henry Playhouse Philip Thomas (1957)
The Desperados Are in Town Dock Lapman / Mr. Brown (1956)
The Kettles in the Ozarks Conductor (1956)
Just What I Needed The Fall Guy / Harry Horseknuckle (1955)
The Bob Cummings Show (1955)
Keep Young The Average Joe (1955)
The Man Around the House Hugo Hightonsils - the Husband (1955)
Meet the O'Briens (1954)
Climax! (1954)
Adventures of a Handyman The Husband (1954)
Out for Fun Businessman seeking Relaxation (1954)
Do Someone a Favor! George Dibson (1954)
Tennessee Champ Luke MacWade (1954)
Ain't It Aggravatin' Parking Space Hog / Apartment House Manager (1954)
Things We Can Do Without Thaddeus E. Thud III (1953)
Landlording It Silas Q. Softheart (1953)
Kiss Me Kate Ralph (1953)
It Would Serve 'Em Right Chris Crusty (1953)
Cash Stashers Joe Shmoe (1953)
T.V. of Tomorrow Man on TV (1953)
The Postman Postman (1953)
Keep It Clean Fall Guy (1952)
I Love Children But... The Daddy (1952)
Sweet Memories The Husband (1952)
Pedestrian Safety Dumb Pedestrian (1952)
Reducing Man on Bench (1952)
It Could Happen to You (1952)
In Case You're Curious The Husband (1951)
That's What You Think The Husband (1951)
Bandage Bait Butch (1951)
Fixin' Fool Husband (1951)
Wanted: One Egg The Husband (1950)
A Wife's Life George T. Hardnose - Husband (1950)
Wrong Way Butch Butch (1950)
That's His Story Alibier (1950)
Did'ja Know? Expectant Father / Greeting Card Customer (1950)
Pest Control Cruising Wolf / Antique Dealer (1950)
We Can Dream, Can't We? Stooge (1949)
So You Want to Be an Actor Audience member (1949)
How Come? (1949)
Those Good Old Days (1949)
What I Want Next Dipsy Inventor (1949)
Let's Cogitate Photographer / Philanthropist (1948)
Why Is It? Man (1948)
Just Suppose Husband (1948)
You Can't Win Harried Homeowner (1948)
I Love My Mother-in-Law But... Husband (1948)
Have You Ever Wondered? Husband / Driver (1947)
What D'ya Know? Stooge (1947)
Pet Peeves Fall Guy (1947)
Neighbor Pests The Pest (1947)
I Love My Wife But! Husband (1947)
Early Sports Quiz: What's Your I.Q. No. 13 Roller Skate Maker (1947)
I Love My Husband, But! The Husband (1946)
Sure Cures Xavier T. Schneckendorf (1946)
Treasures from Trash Alonzo T. Mousebrain (1946)
Equestrian Quiz: What's Your I.Q.? No. 11 Horace (1946)
Studio Visit O'Brien - Film Director (1946)
Bus Pests Pest (1945)
Flaming Bullets Ranger Dave Wyatt / Steve Carson (1945)
Frontier Fugitives Ranger Dave Wyatt (1945)
Three in the Saddle Ranger Dave Wyatt (1945)
Enemy of the Law Dave Wyatt (1945)
The Phantom of 42nd Street Tony Woolrich (1945)
The Man Who Walked Alone Cpl. Marion Scott (1945)
Marked for Murder Texas Ranger Dave Wyatt (1945)
The Whispering Skull Dave Wyatt (1944)
Tahiti Nights Jack (1944)
Safety Sleuth Careless Man (1944)
Dead or Alive Dave Wyatt (1944)
Gangsters of the Frontier Dave Wyatt (1944)
Gunsmoke Mesa Texas Ranger Tex Wyatt (1944)
Brand of the Devil Tex Wyatt (1944)
Movie Pests Feet-in-the-Aisle Pest (1944)
Spook Town Texas Ranger Tex Wyatt (1944)
The Pinto Bandit Texas Ranger Tex Wyatt (1944)
Sportsman's Memories Joe Funk (1944)
Guns of the Law Texas Ranger Tex Wyatt (1944)
Outlaw Roundup Texas Ranger Tex Wyatt (1944)
Boss of Rawhide Texas Ranger Tex Wyatt (1943)
Return of the Rangers Texas Ranger Tex Wyatt (1943)
Fixin' Tricks The Husband (1943)
Trail of Terror Tex Wyatt / Curly Wyatt (1943)
Fighting Valley Texas Ranger Tex Wyatt (1943)
Salute to the Marines Sergeant (1943)
Seventh Column Falstaff Pratt - The Indestructible Man (1943)
Border Buckaroos Tex Wyatt (1943)
West of Texas Texas Ranger Tex Wyatt (1943)
Who's Superstitious? Man Who Slips on the Street / Woman Who Falls Down Stairs (1943)
Bad Men of Thunder Gap Texas Ranger Tex Wyatt (1943)
First Aid Crandall K. Krumb (1943)
The Rangers Take Over Texas Ranger Tex Wyatt (1942)
'Neath Brooklyn Bridge Sgt. Lyons (1942)
The Yanks Are Coming Sgt. Callahan (1942)
Bowery at Midnight Pete Crawford (1942)
Famous Boners Woman Who Falls Down Stairs (1942)
Calling All Pa's Joe Thunderstruck (1942)
Criminal Investigator Bill Wilson (1942)
Victory Vittles The Husband (1942)
King of the Stallions Steve Mason (1942)
Carry Harry Arthur - Harry's Friend (1942)
Sheriff of Sage Valley Jeff Travis (1942)
Law and Order Jeff (1942)
Prisoner of Japan U.S. Marine (1942)
Down Texas Way Dave Dodge (1942)
Victory Quiz Submarine Lookout (1942)
Billy the Kid's Smoking Guns Jeff Travis (1942)
What About Daddy? The Husband (1942)
Captain Midnight Captain Albright / Captain Midnight (1942)
Forbidden Trails Jim Cramer (1941)
Ellery Queen and the Murder Ring Roadside Ambulance Attendant (1941)
Double Trouble Sparky Barton (1941)
Spooks Run Wild Jeff Dixon (1941)
Billy the Kid Wanted Jeff (1941)
The Gunman from Bodie Joe Martin (1941)
The Deadly Game Ralph Spencer (1941)
The Texas Marshal Buzz Weston (1941)
Billy the Kid in Santa Fe Texas Joe (1941)
Murder by Invitation Michael (1941)
The Spider Returns Jackson, Wentworth's Aide (1941)
Buzzy and the Phantom Pinto Jim Dana (1941)
Flying Wild Tom Larson (1941)
Buzzy Rides the Range Ken Blair (1940)
The Devil Bat Johnny Layton (1940)
That Gang of Mine Knuckles Dolan (1940)
Queen of the Yukon Bob Adams (1940)
Gun Code Henchman Gale (1940)
Boys of the City Knuckles Dolan (1940)
Sky Bandits Constable Kelly (1940)
Hold That Woman! Miles Hanover (1940)
On the Spot Charlie (1940)
The Kid from Santa Fe Chester (1940)
The Cowboy from Sundown Steve Davis (1940)
Son of the Navy Nelson (1940)
Phantom Rancher Lucke - Henchman (1940)
Isle of Destiny Whitey - Navy Radio Man (1940)
Murder on the Yukon Constable Kelly (1940)
East Side Kids Knuckles Dolan (1940)
Danger Ahead Corporal Kelly (1940)
Yukon Flight Constable Kelly (1940)
Crashing Thru Fred Chambers (1939)
Buried Alive Carson (1939)
Fighting Mad Constable Kelly (1939)
Main Street Lawyer Cast (1939)
Flaming Lead Frank Gordon (1939)
Mutiny in the Big House Daniels - Prison Guard (1939)
On Your Toes Man in Audience (1939)
The Arizona Kid Soldier (1939)
The Fighting Renegade Dr. Jerry Leonard (1939)
Daughter of the Tong Jerry Morgan (1939)
New Frontier Jason Braddock (1939)
Riders of the Sage Tom Martin (1939)
Wyoming Outlaw Acacia Park Game Warden (1939)
Undercover Agent Billiards Player (1939)
Outlaws' Paradise Henchman Meggs (1939)
Texas Wildcats Ed Arden (1939)
Trigger Smith Henchman Duke (1939)
Rollin' Westward Cowhand Red (1939)
Code of the Cactus Bob Swane (1939)
Drifting Westward Henchman Trigger (1939)
Water Rustlers Bob Lawson (1939)
Song of the Buckaroo Tex Alden (1938)
Gun Packer Red Baker - Henchman (1938)
Law of the Texan Henchman (1938)
Where the Buffalo Roam Jeff Gray (1938)
Frontier Scout Steve Norris (1938)
Starlight Over Texas Henchman (1938)
Utah Trail Mason - Bookkeeper (1938)
Man's Country Bat - Henchman (1938)
The Singing Cowgirl Dick Williams (1938)
Whirlwind Horseman Slade (1938)
The Secret of Treasure Island Det. Jameson [Chs. 4-7] (1938)
Born to Be Wild Trucker (1938)
Youth on Parole Prison Guard (1937)
Million Dollar Racket Johnny Henessey (1937)
Renfrew of the Royal Mounted Charles Dreamy Nolan (1937)
Rough Riding Rhythm Detective Waters (1937)
Mr. Dodd Takes the Air Studio 9 Technician (1937)
Brothers of the West Henchman Bart (1937)
Lightnin' Crandall Tommy Shannon (1937)
Navy Spy Ens. Drake (1937)
When You're in Love Dancer (1937)
Reefer Madness Ralph (1936)
Wanted -- A Master Dog's Master (1936)
The Girl on the Front Page Nightclub Patron (1936)
The Black Coin Terry Navarro (1936)
The Crime of Dr. Forbes Student Doctor (1936)
Dancing Feet Partygoer (1936)
The Oregon Trail Settler (1936)
The Adventures of Frank Merriwell George Baldwin (1936)
Ship Cafe Young Man (1935)
Fighting Youth Manchester Student (1935)
She Married Her Boss Shopper (1935)
Red Salute Student at Rally (1935)
Welcome Home Stanley Phillips (1935)
Woman Wanted Steve (1935)
Doubting Thomas Member of Audience (1935)
No More Ladies Party Guest (1935)
Hooray for Love Chorus Boy in Show (1935)
The Flame Within Party Guest (1935)
Let 'em Have It Federal Agent (1935)
The Little Colonel Frank Randolph - Party Guest (1935)
Sweet Music Man in Theatre Audience (1935)
Rumba Man in Audience at Theatre (1935)
Bright Eyes Bill - Aviator (1934)
Music in the Air Karl Roder (1934)
The Silver Streak Boulder Dam Phone Operator (1934)
College Rhythm College Boy (1934)
Student Tour Student (1934)
Belle of the Nineties Shipboard Admirer (1934)
Gift of Gab Dancer (1934)
Tomorrow's Children Intern (1934)
We're Rich Again Pete (1934)
The Hell Cat Polo Player (1934)
Murder at the Vanities Chorus Boy (1934)
Good Dame Boy Friend (1934)
Coming Out Party Party Guest (1934)
Wonder Bar Chorus Boy (1934)
Search for Beauty Talent Contestant (1934)
The World Changes Otto Peterson (1933)
Sitting Pretty Assistant Cameraman (1933)
College Coach Student on Tennis Court (1933)
Footlight Parade Chorus Boy (1933)
One Man's Journey Dance Extra (1933)
College Humor Student (1933)
Jennie Gerhardt Bass Gerhardt (1933)
Night of Terror Young Victim (1933)
Pick-up Party Boy (1933)
42nd Street Chorus Boy (1933)
Rasputin and the Empress Soldier (1932)
The Sign of the Cross Christian on Stairway (1932)
Hot Saturday Party Guest (1932)
70, 000 Witnesses Football Player (1932)
Speak Easily Chorus Boy (1932)
Devil and the Deep Submarine Crewman (1932)
Roar of the Dragon Submarine Crewman (1932)
Is My Face Red? Chorus Boy (1932)
Flying High Dancer (1931)
Consolation Marriage Man Picking Up Stack of Newspapers (1931)
Lover Come Back Pool Party Boy (1931)
Maybe It's Love Student at Rally (1930)
Madam Satan Zeppelin Reveler (1930)
Good News Student (1930)
Actor

The Dawn Patrol Pilot (1930)
Director

MGM Parade (1955)
VistaVision Visits Hawaii (1955)
The Fall Guy (1955)
Just What I Needed (1955)
Keep Young (1955)
The Man Around the House (1955)
Adventures of a Handyman (1954)
Out for Fun (1954)
Do Someone a Favor! (1954)
Ain't It Aggravatin' (1954)
Film Antics (1954)
Things We Can Do Without (1953)
Landlording It (1953)
It Would Serve 'Em Right (1953)
Cash Stashers (1953)
The Postman (1953)
The Mosconi Story (1953)
Keep It Clean (1952)
I Love Children But... (1952)
Sweet Memories (1952)
Football Thrills No. 15 (1952)
Pedestrian Safety (1952)
Gymnastic Rhythm (1952)
Reducing (1952)
It Could Happen to You (1952)
Musiquiz (1952)
Mealtime Magic (1951)
In Case You're Curious (1951)
That's What You Think (1951)
Football Thrills No. 14: Football Thrills of 1951 (1951)
Bargain Madness (1951)
Bandage Bait (1951)
Camera Sleuth (1951)
Fixin' Fool (1951)
Wanted: One Egg (1950)
Table Toppers (1950)
A Wife's Life (1950)
Wrong Way Butch (1950)
That's His Story (1950)
Did'ja Know? (1950)
Pest Control (1950)
We Can Dream, Can't We? (1949)
How Come? (1949)
Those Good Old Days (1949)
What I Want Next (1949)
Super Cue Men (1949)
Let's Cogitate (1948)
Ice Aces (1948)
Why Is It? (1948)
Just Suppose (1948)
You Can't Win (1948)
I Love My Mother-in-Law But... (1948)
Bowling Tricks (1948)
Have You Ever Wondered? (1947)
What D'ya Know? (1947)
Surfboard Rhythm (1947)
Football Thrills No. 10 (1947)
Pet Peeves (1947)
Neighbor Pests (1947)
I Love My Wife But! (1947)
Diamond Demon (1947)
Playing by Ear (1946)
I Love My Husband, But! (1946)
Sure Cures (1946)
Treasures from Trash (1946)
Equestrian Quiz: What's Your I.Q.? No. 11 (1946)
Director

Sports Sticklers (1946)
Writer

Huyendo del halcón (1973)
The Red Skelton Hour (1955-1970)
Clown Alley (1966)
Red Skelton Timex Special (1960)
The Red Skelton Chevy Special (1959)
Encounter (1957)
MGM Parade (1955)
Just What I Needed (1955)
The Man Around the House (1955)
Meet the O'Briens (1954)
Out for Fun (1954)
Do Someone a Favor! (1954)
Ain't It Aggravatin' (1954)
Things We Can Do Without (1953)
Landlording It (1953)
It Would Serve 'Em Right (1953)
Cash Stashers (1953)
Dogs 'n Ducks (1953)
I Love Children But... (1952)
Reducing (1952)
Mealtime Magic (1951)
Bargain Madness (1951)
Bandage Bait (1951)
Camera Sleuth (1951)
A Wife's Life (1950)
Wrong Way Butch (1950)
Did'ja Know? (1950)
Pest Control (1950)
How Come? (1949)
Those Good Old Days (1949)
What I Want Next (1949)
Super Cue Men (1949)
Let's Cogitate (1948)
Ice Aces (1948)
Why Is It? (1948)
Just Suppose (1948)
You Can't Win (1948)
I Love My Mother-in-Law But... (1948)
Bowling Tricks (1948)
Have You Ever Wondered? (1947)
What D'ya Know? (1947)
Surfboard Rhythm (1947)
Pet Peeves (1947)
Neighbor Pests (1947)
I Love My Wife But! (1947)
Early Sports Quiz: What's Your I.Q. No. 13 (1947)
Diamond Demon (1947)
Athletiquiz: What's Your I.Q.? No. 12 (1947)
Playing by Ear (1946)
I Love My Husband, But! (1946)
Sure Cures (1946)
Treasures from Trash (1946)
Writer

Equestrian Quiz: What's Your I.Q.? No. 11 (1946)
Soundtrack

M.F.A. (2017)
Spook Town (1944)
The Pinto Bandit (1944)
Guns of the Law (1944)
Boss of Rawhide (1943)
Return of the Rangers (1943)
Trail of Terror (1943)
Border Buckaroos (1943)
West of Texas (1943)
Bad Men of Thunder Gap (1943)
The Rangers Take Over (1942)
Soundtrack

Music in the Air (1934)
Producer

Meet the O'Briens (1954)
Stunts

Prisoner of Japan (1942)
What Makes Lizzy Dizzy? (1942)
Ellery Queen and the Murder Ring (1941)
The Iron Claw (1941)
Sky Raiders (1941)
Phantom Rancher (1940)
Danger Ahead (1940)
Crashing Thru (1939)
Wyoming Outlaw (1939)
Texas Wildcats (1939)
Gun Packer (1938)
Law of the Texan (1938)
Starlight Over Texas (1938)
Man's Country (1938)
The Secret of Treasure Island (1938)
Born to Be Wild (1938)
The Mysterious Pilot (1937)
Renfrew of the Royal Mounted (1937)
Brothers of the West (1937)
The Girl on the Front Page (1936)
The Black Coin (1936)
The Oregon Trail (1936)
The Adventures of Frank Merriwell (1936)
Red Salute (1935)
The Silver Streak (1934)
Belle of the Nineties (1934)
The World Changes (1933)
Stunts

Sitting Pretty (1933)
Archive footage

Gente iluminada (2019)
42nd Street: From Book to Screen to Stage (2006)
Reefer Madness - Colorized (2004)
Schlock! The Secret History of American Movies (2001)
The Laurel and Hardy Show (1986)
Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch (1976)
That's Entertainment, Part II (1976)
The Big Parade of Comedy (1964)
The Gabby Hayes Show (1956)
Archive footage

MGM Parade (1955)
The Fall Guy (1955)
Additional Crew

Just What I Needed (1955)

Videos

Awards

Did You Know

First wife Dorothy Short was a "B" actress in westerns and appeared with him in the cult classic Reefer Madness (1936) (original title "Tell Your Children" but better known as "Reefer Madness"), the serial Captain Midnight (1942) and the Pete Smith ...