Brian O'Connor (actor)

Brian O'Connor
Born Brian Edward O'Connor
(1953-02-14) February 14, 1953
Lynnfield, Massachusetts, U.S.
Occupation Actor
Years active 1986–present
Spouse(s) Jane Brucker (1986–1993), 1 child

Brian Edward O'Connor (born February 14, 1953), known professionally as Brian Brucker O'Connor or Brian O'Connor, is an American film, stage and television actor, comedian and guidance counselor. His best known roles include Biddle in Beverly Hills Cop II (1987) and Schemer on Shining Time Station (1989–1993).

Career

O'Connor left University of Massachusetts in 1975 to pursue a career in acting. Arriving in Boston, he co-founded the comedy troupe "Slap Happy" along with fellow UMass alum Allan Jacobs.[1] With this group, he and Jacobs (along with Jeff Ernstoff and Jan Kirschner) toured various cities and over 200 universities,[2] receiving critical praise for performances in Boston, Cambridge and New York City.[3][4] Between "Slap Happy" performances, he found time to participate in a 1980 Ford's Theatre production of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.[5][6]

After making his onscreen debut with a 1984 guest appearance on Miami Vice, O'Connor performed in the recorded-live sketch comedy special National Lampoon's Class of '86 (1986). He followed this project with his feature film debut in Beverly Hills Cop II (1987), portraying the sycophantic Biddle, assistant to Allen Garfield's Police Chief Lutz. O'Connor went on to appear in three independent films, three direct-to-video films, one television film and one pilot between 1987 and 1989. He also performed a live one-man show, "One Hour Out of Your Life", at the Judith Anderson Theatre in the spring of 1988; he earned high praise from The New York Times' Stephen Holden.[7]

In 1989, O'Connor was cast as Horace Schemer on Shining Time Station (1989–1993); the character, known commonly as "Schemer", proved to be his signature role. The roguish and clumsy, but still caring, character[8] quickly gained popularity with PBS audiences, parents and children alike. Since the show's cancellation, he has made numerous public appearances in character, attracting a multitude of fans.[9][10]

Following his appearance in the indie comedy film Terrorists (2004), Mr. O'Connor performed in the 2005 Geva Theatre Center production of the solo play The Race of the Ark Tattoo.[11][12][13][14] Shortly thereafter, he went back to school to become certified as a children's guidance counselor.[15]

Personal life

O'Connor was born to a large Irish Catholic family, the third of five children. As an adult, he was married for seven years to actress Jane Brucker, best known for portraying Lisa Houseman in Dirty Dancing (1987); their daughter, Sally, was born in 1989.[9] The two appeared in the same episode of Miami Vice: "Baby Blues" (1984).[16]

References

  1. ↑ "Quad City Herald October 29, 1998 Page 3". stparchive.com. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  2. ↑ Desk, BWW News. "La Mirada Theatre to Present THE GIZMO GUYS, 12/8". broadwayworld.com. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  3. ↑ 1983 Tanglewood
  4. ↑ "REVUE: 'SLAP HAPPY'". The New York Times. 26 January 1983. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  5. ↑ "Brian O'Connor Theatre Credits and Profile". abouttheartists.com. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  6. ↑ "1978 - 1987 - Ford's Theatre". fords.org. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  7. ↑ Review/Comedy; A Whimsical Grab Bag
  8. ↑ "Shining Time Station Character Guide". sodor-island.net. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  9. 1 2 "Lovable Churl – Vol. 40 No. 11". people.com. 13 September 1993. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  10. ↑ "Gripe Tv - tribunedigital-chicagotribune". Articles.chicagotribune.com. 1995-01-03. Retrieved 2016-10-30.
  11. ↑ Simpson, Herbert M. "Expectations overturned in a triumph of the old". rochestercitynewspaper.com. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  12. ↑ Willis, John; Hodges, Ben (26 February 2007). "Theatre World". Hal Leonard Corporation. Retrieved 30 October 2016 – via Google Books.
  13. ↑ Improv, Geva Comedy (12 March 2005). "GCI: An evening with BRIAN O'CONNOR". gevacomedyimprov.blogspot.com. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  14. ↑ WBER. "WBER :: The Only Station That Matters". monroe.edu. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  15. ↑ "Rick Sigglekow". sodor-island.net. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  16. ↑ "Baby Blues". nbc.com. 21 November 1986. Retrieved 30 October 2016.

External links

Brian O'Connor at the Internet Movie Database

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