Vince O'Brien

Vincent J. O'Brien (January 11, 1919 – June 19, 2010) was an American character actor, who appeared as a doctor in Woody Allen's film Annie Hall and appeared on television and in print ads as the Shell Answer Man.

O'Brien grew up in New Britain, Connecticut and served in the United States Army during World War II. He attended Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, where he was awarded a bachelor's degree in 1949 with a major in drama. In 1950 he moved to New York City, where he started his acting career. O'Brien's balding, mature look helped gain him roles as authority figures, with his son recalling that "he always had that older look" even in his early acting days. In the 1990s he had a recurring role as a judge on Law & Order. His final film appearances were in the movies Quiz Show and Six Degrees of Separation.

Filmography Year Title Role Notes1961 The Hoodlum Priest Assistant District Attorney 1970 The Cross and the Switchblade Judge 1976 Damien's Island 1977 Annie Hall Hotel Doctor 1993 Six Degrees of Separation Grandfather at Baptism 1994 Quiz Show Bunny Wilson