Dennis O'Keefe
Biography
Dennis O'Keefe was an American actor who entered films as an extra in 1931, initially billed as Bud Flanagan. Born in Fort Madison, Iowa, he grew up in a vaudevillian family and performed in his parents' act as a child. After his role in Saratoga, Clark Gable recommended him to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, which signed him in 1937 and renamed him Dennis O'Keefe. Larger parts came with The Bad Man of Brimstone (1938) and Burn 'Em Up O'Connor (1939). He left MGM around 1940, often playing tough guys in action and crime dramas as well as comic and dramatic leads. The Story of Dr. Wassell (1944) brought him major attention, and he starred in the film noirs T-Men (1947) and Raw Deal (1948), both directed by Anthony Mann. In 1950 he headlined the CBS radio show T-Man, and later he directed and wrote screenplays. He also starred in The Dennis O'Keefe Show.
60years old at death
- Born Fort Madison
- Died Santa Monica
- Star sign: AriesThe sign runs March 21 to April 19
- Edward Vanes Flanagan Jr. (birth name)
Movie Career
- Films
- 27
- Career span
- 25 years1930 to 1955
Share
Did you know?!
Big break
O'Keefe's career took off after his small role in Saratoga, when Clark Gable recommended him to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, which signed him in 1937 and gave him the name Dennis O'Keefe.
First role
O'Keefe started out as an extra in 1931. Under the name Bud Flanagan, he went on to appear in numerous films.
Behind the camera
Under the name Jonathan Rix, O'Keefe wrote screenplays during the late 1940s and 1950s, and later used Al Everett Dennis in the 1960s. Warner Bros. produced his Don't Pull Your Punches.
A role that slipped away
In 1957 O'Keefe was set to be the permanent host of the anthology series Suspicion, but he left after two episodes and was not replaced.
Beyond film
O'Keefe starred in the 1950 CBS radio program T-Man, and in the 1950s he also directed and wrote mystery stories.
Dennis O'Keefe movies on Netflix
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
Most often with
Anthony Mann directed two of these films, Mitchell Leisen two and Joseph M. Newman two. Four actors appear in three of them each. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Bess Flowers's page
Gino Corrado's page
Franklyn Farnum's page
Raymond Burr's page
Byron Foulger's page
Steve Carruthers's page
Anthony MannDirector, 2 films, 1947 to 1948
Mitchell LeisenDirector, 2 films, 1937 to 1940
All films by Mitchell Leisen
Joseph M. NewmanDirector, 2 films, 1949
All films by Joseph M. Newman
Also two films together18 more actors
- George ZuccoTopper Returns (1941) and Arise, My Love (1940)
- Steven GerayWoman on the Run (1950) and Mr. District Attorney (1947)
- Trevor BardetteT-Men (1947) and Topper Returns (1941)
- Edward Everett HortonTop Hat (1935) and Smart Woman (1931)
- Paul CavanaghDishonored Lady (1947) and A Bill of Divorcement (1932)
- William H. O'BrienTopper Returns (1941) and The Silver Horde (1930)
- Billie BurkeTopper Returns (1941) and A Bill of Divorcement (1932)
- Lionel StanderHangmen Also Die! (1943) and Tahiti Honey (1943)
- Eric BloreLady Scarface (1941) and Top Hat (1935)
- Jean ArthurHistory Is Made at Night (1937) and The Silver Horde (1930)
- Nana BryantBrewster's Millions (1945) and Hangmen Also Die! (1943)
- Art BakerCover Up (1949) and Walk a Crooked Mile (1948)
- Carl EsmondWalk a Crooked Mile (1948) and The Story of Dr. Wassell (1944)
- David ClarkeAbandoned (1949) and Raw Deal (1948)
- Barbara BrittonCover Up (1949) and The Story of Dr. Wassell (1944)
- Eddie 'Rochester' AndersonBrewster's Millions (1945) and Topper Returns (1941)
- Gale StormAbandoned (1949) and Walk a Crooked Mile (1948)
- Spencer ChanWoman on the Run (1950) and Swing High, Swing Low (1937)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.