Michael O'Shea
Biography
Michael O'Shea was an American actor and comedian who also worked as a musician and band leader on stage, in films and on television from the 1940s into the early 1970s. Born in Hartford, Connecticut, he played drums and banjo and led his own band, Michael O'Shea and His Stationary Gypsies, before performing on radio and the legitimate stage. Acclaim came for his performance in The Eve of St. Mark, a 1942 Broadway play, which led to film offers. He played Barbara Stanwyck's leading man in Lady of Burlesque (1943), a sizeable hit. Later films included Mr. District Attorney (1947), The Big Wheel (1949), The Underworld Story (1950), Fixed Bayonets! (1951) and It Should Happen to You (1954). From 1954 to 1956 he headlined the NBC sitcom It's a Great Life, playing Denny Davis, and in 1955 he was nominated for an Emmy Award. He also appeared in television programs including Adam-12 and Daktari.
67years old at death
- Born Hartford
- Died Dallas
- Star sign: PiscesThe sign runs February 19 to March 20
Movie Career
- Films
- 6
- Career span
- 11 years1943 to 1954
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About the name
O'Shea put together a dance band called Michael O'Shea and His Stationary Gypsies, then went on to perform on radio and the legitimate stage, where for a time he used the name Eddie O'Shea.
Big break
O'Shea won praise for his role in the 1942 Broadway play The Eve of St. Mark. The production succeeded, and movie producers started offering him screen tests.
A change of course
Before starting his showbusiness career, O'Shea worked as a tobacco farmer, a Western Union messenger and a newspaper copy boy.
Beyond film
O'Shea came back to Broadway in the revival of The Red Mill, which Hunt Stromberg Jr. produced and which ran for 531 performances.
Michael O'Shea movies on Netflix
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
- Lady of Burlesque1943 Comedy, Horror, Music, Mystery, Romance, Thrilleras Biff Brannigan
IMDb rating 6.23.2K votes
Worked with
Michael O'Shea shares two films with Melville Cooper, and one with each of the others. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Melville Cooper's page
Mike Donovan's page
Barbara Stanwyck's page
Mickey Rooney's page
Whit Bissell's page
Jack Lemmon's page
All films by George Cukor
All films by William A. Wellman
All films by Samuel Fuller
Awards
One award and honor.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other honors | |||
| Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame | Honored | ||
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.