Cast & creator
Dave O'Brien
Best known for The Red Skelton Show, MGM Parade, MGM Parade
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Dave O'Brien (born David Poole Fronabarger, May 31, 1912 – November 8, 1969) was an American film actor, director, and writer. O'Brien was best known to movie audiences in the 1940s as the hero of the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer comedy short film series Pete Smith Specialties narrated by Pete Smith. O'Brien wrote and directed many of these subjects under the name David Barclay. He also appeared in many low-budget Westerns, often billed as Tex O'Brien. In 1942, O'Brien starred in the movie serial Captain Midnight. Modern audiences perhaps best remember O'Brien as a frantic dope addict in the 1936 low-budget exploitation film Tell Your Children (better known under its reissue title, Reefer Madness). As a writer for The Red Skelton Show, O'Brien shared an Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series in 1961 and shared a nomination for the same award in 1963. O'Brien died, aged 57, of a heart attack while competing in a yachting race.
Also known as: David Poole Fronabarger, David Fronabarger, David O'Brien, Dave O'Brian, Dave Tex O'Brien
262
film credits
3
television credits
183
1930–2006 · acting roles
6.6
average across scored titles
Signature credits
Known for
Across film & television
Filmography (265)
Showing 265 of 265 credits
The Red Skelton Show
Writer
1951
MGM Parade
1955MGM Parade
Self
1955
42nd Street
Chorus Boy (uncredited)
1933
Rasputin and the Empress
Soldier (uncredited)
1932
The Sign of the Cross
Christian on Stairway (uncredited)
1932
One Man's Journey
Dance Extra (uncredited)
1933
That's Entertainment, Part II
(archive footage) (uncredited)
1976
Kiss Me Kate
Ralph
1953
She Married Her Boss
Shopper
1935
Devil and the Deep
Submarine Crewman (uncredited)
1932
Pick-up
Party Boy (uncredited)
1933
The Big Parade of Comedy
Actor in the Pete Smith Shorts (archive footage)
1964
Wonder Bar
Chorus Boy (uncredited)
1934
Lightnin' Crandall
Tommy Shannon
1937
T.V. of Tomorrow
Man on TV
1953
Where the Buffalo Roam
Jeff Gray
1938
Born to Be Wild
Trucker (uncredited)
1938
Double Trouble
Sparky Barton
1941
Undercover Agent
Billiards Player
1939
The World Changes
Otto Peterson (uncredited)
1933
Ice Aces
Writer
1948Ice Aces
Director
1948
The Devil Bat
Johnny Layton
1940
The Spider's Web
Stunts
1938
Studio Visit
O'Brien
1946
The Phantom of 42nd Street
Tony Woolrich
1945
Murder at the Vanities
Chorus Boy (uncredited)
1934
The Kettles in the Ozarks
Conductor
1956
Madam Satan
Zeppelin Reveler
1930
Spooks Run Wild
Jeff Dixon
1941
Flaming Bullets
Dave Wyatt / Steve Carson
1945
Music in the Air
Karl Roder (singing voice) (uncredited)
1934
Billy the Kid Wanted
Jeff
1941
Three in the Saddle
Dave Wyatt
1945
The Gunman From Bodie
Joe Martin
1941
Is My Face Red?
Chorus Boy (uncredited)
1932
College Humor
Student
1933
King of the Stallions
1942Do Someone a Favor!
George Dibson
1954Do Someone a Favor!
Director
1954Do Someone a Favor!
Screenplay
1954
Captain Midnight
Captain Albright / Captain Midnight
1942Safety Sleuth
Careless Man
1944
The Girl on the Front Page
Nightclub Patron
1936
The Return of the Rangers
Tex Wyatt
1943
Camera Sleuth
Writer
1951Camera Sleuth
Director
1951
Gangsters of the Frontier
Dave Wyatt
1944
Forbidden Trails
Jim Cramer
1941
Enemy of the Law
Dave Wyatt
1945
Victory Quiz
1942
Mutiny in the Big House
Daniels
1939
Woman Wanted
Steve - Tap Dancer at Baxter's Party (uncredited)
1935I Love My Wife BUT!
The Husband
1947I Love My Wife BUT!
Story
1947I Love My Wife BUT!
Director
1947I Love My Wife BUT!
Screenplay
1947
Tell Your Children
Ralph
1938
Isle Of Destiny
Whitey - Navy Radio Man
1940
Film Antics
Director
1954
Song of the Buckaroo
Tex Alden
1938
The Adventures of Frank Merriwell
George Baldwin
1936Pest Control
Cruising Wolf
1950Pest Control
Director
1950A Wife's Life
George T. Hardnose (uncredited)
1950A Wife's Life
Director
1950A Wife's Life
Screenplay
1950A Wife's Life
Story
1950The Man Around the House
Hugo Hightonsil (uncredited)
1955The Man Around the House
Story
1955The Man Around the House
Director
1955The Man Around the House
Screenplay
1955
Wyoming Outlaw
Acacia Park Game Warden
1939
Queen of the Yukon
Bob Adams
1940
Fighting Valley
Tex Wyatt
1943
We're Rich Again
Pete (uncredited)
1934
Billy the Kid in Santa Fe
Texas Joe
1941
The Man Who Walked Alone
Marion Scott
1945
Boys of the City
Knuckles Dolan
1940
Tomorrow's Children
Interne (uncredited)
1934
Consolation Marriage
Man Picking Up Stack of Newspapers (uncredited)
1931
Roar of the Dragon
Submarine Crewman
1932
Riders of the Sage
Tom Martin
1939
Water Rustlers
Bob Lawson
1939
Bowery at Midnight
Det. Pete Crawford
1942
New Frontier
Jason Braddock
1939
Diamond Demon
Writer
1947Diamond Demon
Director
1947
Ain't It Aggravatin'
Parking Space Hog / Apartment House Manager / Frugal Man / Harry Hollowhead
1954Ain't It Aggravatin'
Director
1954Ain't It Aggravatin'
Story
1954
Sheriff of Sage Valley
Jeff
1942
Daughter of the Tong
Jerry Morgan
1939
Son of the Navy
Nelson
1940
Code of the Cactus
Bob Swane
1939
The Dawn Patrol
Pilot (uncredited)
1930
Brothers of the West
Bart
1937
That Gang of Mine
Knuckles Dolan
1940
Meet the O'Briens
Dave
1954Meet the O'Briens
Teleplay
1954Meet the O'Briens
Producer
1954
The Desperados Are in Town
Dock Lapman / Mr. Brown
1956
Just Suppose
Husband (uncredited)
1948Just Suppose
Director
1948Just Suppose
Writer
1948
No More Ladies
Party Guest (uncredited)
1935Have You Ever Wondered?
Husband / Driver / Man at Gumball Machine / Toupee Wearer
1947Have You Ever Wondered?
Director
1947Have You Ever Wondered?
Writer
1947
Dead or Alive
Dave Wyatt
1944
Tennessee Champ
Luke MacWade
1954
Carry Harry
Arthur - Harry's Friend
1942
Doubting Thomas
Member of Audience
1935
The Iron Claw
Stunts
1941
Hold That Woman!
Miles Hanover
1940
70,000 Witnesses
Football Player (uncredited)
1932
The Rangers Take Over
Tex Wyatt
1942
Guns of the Law
Tex Wyatt
1944I Love My Mother-In-Law But...
The Son-In-Law / Husband
1948I Love My Mother-In-Law But...
Screenplay
1948I Love My Mother-In-Law But...
Director
1948I Love My Mother-In-Law But...
Original Story
1948I Love My Husband, But!
The Husband
1946I Love My Husband, But!
Director
1946I Love My Husband, But!
Screenplay
1946I Love My Husband, But!
Story
1946
The Cowboy from Sundown
Steve Davis
1940
Gift of Gab
Dancer (uncredited)
1934
The Secret of Treasure Island
Det. Jameson [Chs. 4-7]
1938
Lover Come Back
Pool Party Boy (uncredited)
1931
Bad Men of Thunder Gap
Tex Wyatt
1943
Billy the Kid's Smoking Guns
Jeff
1942Neighbor Pests
1947Neighbor Pests
Director
1947
The Spider Returns
Jackson, Wentworth's Aide
1941
Bowling Tricks
Director
1948
Sky Raiders
Stunts
1941
Brand of the Devil
Tex Wyatt
1944
Hot Saturday
Party Guest (Uncredited)
1932
What About Daddy?
The Husband
1942
Murder on the Yukon
Constable Kelly
1940
Murder by Invitation
Michael, the chauffeur
1941Those Good Old Days
1949Those Good Old Days
Director
1949Football Thrills No. 10
Director
1947Equestrian Quiz: What's Your I.Q.? No. 11
Horace
1946Equestrian Quiz: What's Your I.Q.? No. 11
Writer
1946Equestrian Quiz: What's Your I.Q.? No. 11
Director
1946
42nd Street: From Book to Screen to Stage
Self (archive footage)
2006
On Your Toes
Man in Audience
1939
Student Tour
Student
1934Musiquiz
Director
1952We Can Dream, Can't We?
Director
1949
The Deadly Game
Ralph Spencer
1941
The Yanks Are Coming
Sgt. Callahan
1942
The Fighting Renegade
Dr. Jerry Leonard
1939
East Side Kids
Knuckles Dolan
1940Early Sports Quiz: What's Your I.Q. No. 13
Director
1947The Mosconi Story
Director
1953
Movie Pests
Feet-in-the-Aisle Pest
1944
Calling All Pa's
Joe Thunderstruck
1942
Wanted - A Master
Dog's Master (uncredited)
1936
Ship Cafe
Young Man (uncredited)
1935
Man's Country
Bat
1938
The Pinto Bandit
Tex Wyatt
1944
The Black Coin
Terry Navarro
1936
Spook Town
Tex Wyatt
1944
Buzzy and the Phantom Pinto
Jim Dana
1941
Outlaw Roundup
Tex Wyatt
1944Super Cue Men
Director
1949
The Singing Cowgirl
Dick Williams
1938
Starlight Over Texas
Henchman
1938
College Coach
Student on Tennis Court (uncredited)
1933
Treasures from Trash
Alonzo T. Mousebrain
1946Treasures from Trash
Screenplay
1946Treasures from Trash
Director
1946
Phantom Rancher
Henchman Lucke
1940
Law and Order
Jeff Travis
1942
Prisoner of Japan
U. S. Marine
1942
Flying Wild
Tom Lawson
1941
Rough Riding Rhythm
Detective Waters
1937
'Neath Brooklyn Bridge
Sgt. Phil Lyons
1942
Let's Cogitate
Oliver T. Aseltafel
1948Let's Cogitate
Director
1948
Dogs 'n Ducks
Screenplay
1953Dogs 'n Ducks
Original Story
1953Just What I Needed
Harry Horseknuckle
1955Just What I Needed
Screenplay
1955Just What I Needed
Director
1955
Rollin' Westward
Ranch hand Red
1939
Fighting Mad
Constable Kelly
1939
Down Texas Way
Dave Dodge
1942
Million Dollar Racket
Johnny Henessey
1937
The Texas Marshal
Buzz Weston
1941
Things We Can Do Without
Thaddeus E. Thud III
1953Things We Can Do Without
Screenplay
1953Things We Can Do Without
Director
1953Things We Can Do Without
Story
1953
Danger Ahead
Corporal Kelly
1940
You Can't Win
Harried Homeowner
1948You Can't Win
Director
1948You Can't Win
Writer
1948
I Love Children, But!
The Daddy
1952I Love Children, But!
Director
1952I Love Children, But!
Writer
1952
Trail of Terror
Tex Wyatt / Curly Wyatt
1943Out for Fun
Businessman Seeking Relaxation
1954Out for Fun
Director
1954Out for Fun
Writer
1954
Marked for Murder
Dave Wyatt
1945
Sky Bandits
Constable Kelly
1940
Buried Alive
Carson
1939
Flying High
Dancer (uncredited)
1931
Good News
Student
1930
The Arizona Kid
Soldier
1939
Welcome Home
Stanley Phillips
1935The Fall Guy
Himself as Various Characters (archive footage)
1955The Fall Guy
Director
1955
Crashing the Movies
Director
1950
Boss of Rawhide
Tex Wyatt
1943
Gun Code
Henchman Gale
1940
On the Spot
Charlie
1940
The Whispering Skull
Dave Wyatt
1944Sportsman's Memories
Fabian Tecumseh 'Joe' Funk (uncredited)
1944
Wrong Way Butch
Butch
1950Wrong Way Butch
Director
1950Wrong Way Butch
Original Story
1950Wrong Way Butch
Screenplay
1950
Utah Trail
Mason - Bookkeeper
1938
Frontier Scout
Steve Norris
1938
Whirlwind Horseman
Henchman Slade
1938
Flaming Lead
Frank Gordon
1939
Sitting Pretty
Assistant Cameraman (uncredited)
1933
Tahiti Nights
Jack
1944
West of Texas
Tex Wyatt
1943
Outlaws' Paradise
Henchman Meggs
1939
Yukon Flight
Constable Kelly
1940
Crashing Thru
Fred Chambers
1939
Did'ja Know?
Expectant Father / Greeting Card Shopper / Hospital Patient / Job Applicant
1950Did'ja Know?
Director
1950Did'ja Know?
Screenplay
1950
Frontier Fugitives
Dave Wyatt
1945
Texas Wildcats
Ed Arden
1939
Gunsmoke Mesa
Tex Wyatt
1944
Border Buckaroos
Tex Wyatt
1943
Trigger Smith
Duke
1939
Seventh Column
Falstaff Pratt the Indestructible Man
1943
Bargain Madness
Writer
1951Bargain Madness
Director
1951
Gun Packer
Red Baker - Henchman
1938
Drifting Westward
Henchman Trigger
1939
Search for Beauty
Talent Contestant (uncredited)
1934
Sure Cures
Xavier T. Schneckendorf
1946Sure Cures
Writer
1946Sure Cures
Director
1946
Cash Stashers
A Shmoe Named Joe
1953Cash Stashers
Director
1953Cash Stashers
Story
1953Cash Stashers
Screenplay
1953
Reducing
Man on Bench (uncredited)
1952Reducing
Screenplay
1952Reducing
Director
1952Reducing
Original Story
1952Surfboard Rhythm
Director
1947