Henry O'Neill

Henry O'Neill (August 10, 1891 – May 18, 1961) was an American actor known for playing gray-haired fathers, lawyers, and similarly dignified roles in over 175 movies between the 1930s and 1950s.

Early life

Henry O'Neill was born in Orange, New Jersey on August 10, 1891 where he grew up before moving to Los Angeles, California. His grandparents came from Ireland to the United States. His education went through one year of college, after which he joined a stock theater troupe that went through his community. He served in the Navy as a chief petty officer in World War I,

In the early 1930s he began appearing in films, including The Big Shakedown (1934), the Western Santa Fe Trail (1940), the musical Anchors Aweigh (1945), O'Neill died in Hollywood, California, at the age of 69. His remains are interred at San Fernando Mission Cemetery in North Hollywood.

Selected filmography

I Loved a Woman (1933) as Mr. Farrell Ever in My Heart (1933) as Naturalization Judge (uncredited) The Kennel Murder Case (1933) as Dubois, Police Fingerprint Man (uncredited) From Headquarters (1933) as Inspector Donnelly The World Changes (1933) as Orin Nordholm Sr. Son of a Sailor (1933) as Naval Officer (uncredited) The House on 56th Street (1933) as Baxter, the Lawyer (uncredited) Lady Killer (1933) as Ramick The Big Shakedown (1934) as Mr. Sheffner Massacre (1934) as J.R. Dickinson Bedside (1934) as Dr. William Chester I've Got Your Number (1934) as John P. Schuyler Fashion Follies of 1934 (1934) as Duryea Wonder Bar (1934) as Richard, the Maitre'd Midnight (1934) as Ingersoll Journal of a Crime (1934) as Doctor Upper World (1934) as Banker Making Toast at banquet Twenty Million Sweethearts (1934) as Lemuel Tappan The Key (1934, aka High Peril) as Dan Fog Over Frisco (1934) as Porter The Personality Kid (1934) as Stephens Now I'll Tell (1934) as Tommy Doran Madame DuBarry (1934) as Duc de Choiseul Side Streets (1934) as George Richards Midnight Alibi (1934) as Jonathan Ardsley The Man with Two Faces (1934) as Inspector Crane Big Hearted Herbert (1934) as Goodrich Sr. Gentlemen Are Born (1934) as Mr. Harper Flirtation Walk (1934) as Gen. Fitts Murder in the Clouds (1934) as John Brownell The Secret Bride (1934) as Jim Lansdale The Man Who Reclaimed His Head (1934) as Fernand de Marnay Bordertown (1935) as Attorney J.L. Chase (uncredited) Sweet Music (1935) as Louis Trumble The Great Hotel Murder (1935) as Mr. Harvey Living on Velvet (1935) as Harold Thornton While the Patient Slept (1935) as Dimuck The Florentine Dagger (1935) as Victor Ballau Black Fury (1935) as Hendricks Alias Mary Dow (1935) as Henry Dow Dinky (1935) as Colonel Barnes Oil for the Lamps of China (1935) as Edward Hartford Stranded (1935) as Mr. Tuthill Bright Lights (1935) as J.C. Anderson We're in the Money (1935) as Lawyer Stephen 'Dinsy' Dinsmore Special Agent (1935) as District Attorney Roger Quinn The Case of the Lucky Legs (1935) as District Attorney Manchester Dr. Socrates (1935) as Greer Personal Maid's Secret (1935) as Mr. Wilton Palmer I Found Stella Parish (1935) as Trailer Narrator (voice, uncredited) Two Against the World (1936) as Jim Carstairs Freshman Love (1936) as Pres. Simpkins The Petrified Forest (1936) as Trailer Narrator (voice, uncredited) The Story of Louis Pasteur (1936) as Dr. Emile Roux Road Gang (1936) as George Winston The Walking Dead (1936) as District Attorney Werner Boulder Dam (1936) as Mr. Agnew The Golden Arrow (1936) as Mr. Appleby Bullets or Ballots (1936) as Ward Bryant The Big Noise (1936) as Charlie Caldwell The White Angel (1936) as Dr. Scott Anthony Adverse (1936) as Father Xavier Rainbow on the River (1936) as Father Josef Green Light (1937) as Dr. Endicott The Great O'Malley (1937) as Attorney for the Defense Marked Woman (1937) as District Attorney Arthur Sheldon Draegerman Courage (1937) as Dr. Thomas Haslett The Go Getter (1937) as Commander Tisdale The Singing Marine (1937) as Captain Skinner Mr. Dodd Takes the Air (1937) as D.M. Gateway The Life of Emile Zola (1937) as Colonel Georges Picquart Submarine D-1 (1937) as Admiral Thomas First Lady (1937) as George Mason Wells Fargo (1937) as Henry Wells The Great Garrick (1937) White Banners (1938) as Sam Trimble Gold Is Where You Find It (1938) as Judge Jezebel (1938) as General Theopholus Bogardus Yellow Jack (1938) as Gorgas Racket Busters (1938) as Governor The Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse (1938) as Judge The Chaser (1938) as Mr. Calhoun Girls on Probation (1938) as Judge Brother Rat (1938) as Colonel Ramm Torchy Blane in Chinatown (1939) as Senator Baldwin Wings of the Navy (1939) as Prologue Speaker Confessions of a Nazi Spy (1939) as Attorney Kellogg Dodge City (1939) as Col. Dodge The Man Who Dared (1939) as Matthew Carter Juarez (1939) as General Miguel Miramon Lucky Night (1939) as Calvin Jordan Sons of Liberty (1939, Short) as Member of Continental Congress Everybody's Hobby (1939) as Thomas 'Tom' Leslie The Angels Wash Their Faces (1939) as Remson Sr. A Child Is Born (1939) as Dr. Lee Four Wives (1939) as Dr. Clinton Forrest, Sr. Invisible Stripes (1939) as Parole Officer Masters The Fighting 69th (1940) as The Colonel Calling Philo Vance (1940) as Markham Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet (1940) as Dr. Lentz Castle on the Hudson (1940) as District Attorney 'Til We Meet Again (1940) as Dr. Cameron They Drive by Night (1940) as District Attorney (uncredited) Money and the Woman (1940) as Mr. Mason Service with the Colors (1940, Short) as Col. Nelson Knute Rockne, All American (1940) as Doctor Santa Fe Trail (1940) as Cyrus Holliday Keeping Company (1940) Brother Rat and a Baby (1940) Maisie Was a Lady (1941) as Minor Role (scenes deleted) The Trial of Mary Dugan (1941) as Galway Men of Boys Town (1941) as Mr. Maitland Billy the Kid (1941) as Tim Ward The Get-Away (1941) as Warden Alcott Blossoms in the Dust (1941) as Judge Whistling in the Dark (1941) as Philip Post Down in San Diego (1941) as Col. Halliday Honky Tonk (1941) as Daniel Wells Shadow of the Thin Man (1941) as Maj. Jason I. Sculley Johnny Eager (1941) as Mr. Verne The Bugle Sounds (1942) as Lt. Col. Harry Seton Mr. and Mrs. North (1942) as Undetermined Role (scenes deleted) Born to Sing (1942) as Frank Eastman This Time for Keeps (1942) as Arthur Freeman Tortilla Flat (1942) as Father Ramon Pierre of the Plains (1942) as Undetermined Role (scenes deleted) White Cargo (1942) as The Reverend Dr. Roberts Stand By for Action (1942) as Cmdr. Stone M.C The Human Comedy (1943) as Charles Steed Air Raid Wardens (1943) as Rittenhause Dr. Gillespie's Criminal Case (1943) as Warden Kenneson Best Foot Forward (1943) as Maj. Reeber Thousands Cheer (1943) as Captain in Frank Morgan Skit (uncredited) Girl Crazy (1943) as Mr. Churchill Sr. Lost Angel (1943) as Professor Josh Pringle A Guy Named Joe (1943) as Col. Sykes Whistling in Brooklyn (1943) as Inspector Holcomb Main Street Today (1944, Short) as Vance Clark The Heavenly Body (1944) as Prof. Stowe Rationing (1944) as Sen. Edward A. White Two Girls and a Sailor (1944) as John Dyckman Brown II Barbary Coast Gent (1944) as Colonel Watrous Nothing but Trouble (1944) as Mr. Hawkley This Man's Navy (1945) as Lt. Cmdr. Roger Graystone Keep Your Powder Dry (1945) as Major General Lee Rand Between Two Women (1945) as Larry Goff, Theatrical Agent (uncredited) Dangerous Partners (1945) as Police Lt. Duffy Anchors Aweigh (1945) as Admiral Hammond The Hoodlum Saint (1946) as Lewis J. Malbery The Green Years (1946) as Canon Roche The Virginian (1946) as Mr. Taylor Bad Bascomb (1946) as Gov. Winton Little Mr. Jim (1946) as Chaplain Three Wise Fools (1946) as Prof. Horace Appleby The Beginning or the End (1947) as General Thomas F. Farrell The Return of October (1948) as President Hotchkiss Leather Gloves (1948) as Dudley Alias Nick Beal (1949) as Judge Hobson You're My Everything (1949) as Professor Adams Strange Bargain (1949) as Timothy Hearne The Reckless Moment (1949) as Tom Harper Holiday Affair (1949) as Mr. Crowley No Man of Her Own (1950) as Mr. Harkness The Second Woman (1950) as Ben Sheppard Convicted (1950) as Detective Dorn The Milkman (1950) as Roger Bradley Sr. The Flying Missile (1950) as RAdm. Thomas A. Scott The People Against O'Hara (1951) as Judge Keating The Family Secret (1951) as Donald Muir Scandal Sheet (1952) as Charlie Barnes Scarlet Angel (1952) as Morgan Caldwell The Sun Shines Bright (1953) as Joe D. Habersham Untamed (1955) as Squire O'Neill The Wings of Eagles (1957) as Capt. Spear North by Northwest (1959) as Man in Plaza Bar (uncredited) (final film role)