Michael O'Shea (born Edward Francis Michael Patrick Joseph O'Shea; March 17, 1906 – December 4, 1973)[3] was an American actor, who appeared on the stage, in feature films, and television in a career that spanned between the 1940s and early 1970s. He also was a comedian, musician, band leader, and performed on radio.
Early life
O'Shea was born in Hartford, Connecticut on March 17, 1906, on St. Patrick's Day. He held jobs as a newspaper copy boy, a Western Union messenger, and a tobacco farmer [3] before making his debut in show business.
Career
O'Shea played drums and the banjo. Much like his character from Lady of Burlesque (1943), Biff Brannigan, O'Shea was a comedian and emcee at speakeasies. He put together his own dance band, "Michael O'Shea and His Stationary Gypsies", and later broke into radio and the "legitimate" stage, where he was billed for a time as "Eddie O'Shea". He worked on radio shows such as Superman, Mr District Attorney, The March of Time and Gangbuster.[4]
O'Shea received acclaim for his performance in the 1942 play The Eve of St. Mark on Broadway. The play was a hit and film producers began approaching O'Shea to do screen tests.[5]
Samuel Bronston offered him the title role in the biopic Jack London (1943), also released through United Artists. The cast included Virginia Mayo who would become O'Shea's second wife.[7]
O'Shea was asked to reprise his stage role in the film version of The Eve of St. Mark (1944), produced by 20th Century Fox. That studio contracted him to make two more films.[8] Fox announced they would make Where Do We Go From Here? with him and Stanley Prager, also in Eve, but it appears not to have been made.[9]
He also starred in the NBCsitcomIt's a Great Life from 1954 to 1956 as Denny Davis, a former GI trying to find a civilian job. Frances Bavier played his landlady. He was nominated for an Emmy in 1955.[4]
He worked as a panelist on TV shows[10] and filmed a pilot for a TV sitcom with his wife Virginia Mayo, McGarry and His Mouse (1960) but it was not picked up for a series. He guest starred on episodes of Adventures in Paradise, Daktari and Adam-12. In 1964 he returned briefly to New York stage in a production I Was Dancing.[11]
Personal life
O'Shea was married twice, first to Grace Watts, by whom he had two children. They were divorced in 1947.[citation needed]
His next wed actress Virginia Mayo, in 1947, whom he had met Mayo while the filming Jack London in 1943. They subsequently appeared on the stock stage together in such productions as George Washington Slept Here,Tunnel of Love and Fiorello!. The couple had one child, Mary Catherine O'Shea, born in 1953.[12] That year O'Shea's first wife sued him for unpaid alimony.[13]
In 1957 he pleaded guilty to discharging a firearm, firing two shots into a tractor tire because boys had "hot-rodded" it near his home.[15] In August of 1959 he was arrested after brandishing a pistol in a Philadelphia restaurant following an argument between his wife and another customer over the air conditioning.[16] O'Shea was of the Catholic faith.[17]
^ abcdMichael O'Shea, Tough-Talking Actor, The Washington Post and Times-Herald 6 Dec 1973: B22.
^MR. O'SHEA, THE HARTFORD GYPSY
By THEODORE STRAUSS. New York Times (18 Apr 1943: X3.
^Scott Eyman, Lion of Hollywood: The Life and Legend of Louis B. Mayer, Robson, 2005 p 339
^Michael O'Shea Debonair 'Jack London'
Scheuer, Philip K. Los Angeles Times 14 Jan 1944: A9.
^DRAMA AND FILM: Michael O'Shea May Portray Proxy Husband Edward Small Bids for Herbert Marshall to Appear Opposite Marlene Dietrich
Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 4 Dec 1943: 7.
^DRAMA AND FILM: O'Shea Promotes Jinni Deal for Actor Prager Ketti Frings' Story, 'The Red Sash,' May Be Produced as Film by Stromberg
Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 19 Nov 1943: 14.
^Virginia and the Speed Cars Clicked
By Millicent Benner. The Washington Post and Times-Herald (1954-1959); Washington, D.C. [Washington, D.C]08 Oct 1956: 27.
^Michael O'Shea, 67, Stage Actor Also in TV Series, Films, Dies: Started as Band Leader
New York Times 5 Dec 1973: 43.
^O'SHEAS' FINANCIAL TROUBLE SETTLED
Los Angeles Times 18 Mar 1953: A1.
^Motion Picture and Television Magazine, December 1952, page 28, Ideal Publishers
^Michael O'Shea Pleads Guilty to Gun Charge: Fired Two Shots at Tractor Tires Because Boys 'Hot-Rodded' It Near Home, He Says
Los Angeles Times 4 Jan 1957: B1.
^Michael O'Shea in Brawl Over Virginia Mayo Los Angeles Times 26 Aug 1959: 8.
^Morning News, January 10, 1948, Who Was Who in America (Vol. 2).
^p.7 Michael O'Shea is Claimed By DeathBeaver County Times 5 Dec 1973
