Liam O'Brien (screenwriter)
Liam O'Brien | |
|---|---|
| Born | William O'Brien March 7, 1913 New York City, US |
| Died | March 24, 1996(aged 83) Los Angeles, California, US |
| Occupation(s) | Screenwriter,Television producer |
| Spouse | Claudette O'Brien |
Liam O'Brien(March 7, 1913 – March 24, 1996) was an Americanscreenwriterandtelevision producerbest known for writing the movieHere Comes the Groom.[1]
Life and career[edit]
O'Brien was educated atFordhamandManhattan College.He had been a poet, cartoonist, and labor organizer before World War II, when he served in theSignal Corps.After the war, he headed to Hollywood, where his younger brotherEdmond O'Brienwas already an established star. He became an overnight success six years later when his first screenplay, the romantic comedyHere Comes the Groom,withBing CrosbyandJane Wyman,earned him anOscarnomination in 1951.[2]
The following year, his playThe Remarkable Mr. Pennypackerbecame a Broadway hit featuringBurgess Meredith.This romantic comedy was filmed by20th Century Foxin 1959 withClifton Webbin the title role.[3]The play remains popular in amateur theatres, partly because there are so many roles to be filled:[4]the industrialist Mr. Pennypacker is a loveable bigamist with 17 children.[3]
His widow, Claudette O'Brien, claimed Pennypacker was based on the actual double life of an O'Brien relative – one who "laughed louder than anyone on opening night".[4]
O'Brien collapsed in his wife's arms and died of aheart attackat hisLos Angeleshome at age 83.[4]
His son, Devin Liam O' Brien, has been an associate producer of the Academy Award television broadcast.[2]
Filmography[edit]
Writer[edit]
- Chain Lightning(1950)
- Of Men and Music(1951)
- The Redhead and the Cowboy(1951)
- Here Comes the Groom(1951)
- Diplomatic Courier(1952)
- The Stars Are Singing(1953)
- Young at Heart(1955)
- Lux Video Theatre(1 episode, 1956)
- Trapeze(1956)
- The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker(1959)
- The Great Impostor(1961)
- The Devil at 4 O'Clock(1961)
- Rex Harrison Presents Stories of Love(1974)
- Gibbsville(1 episode, 1976)
- Police Story(1 episode, 1977)
- The Awakening Land(1974)
Producer[edit]
- Police Story(Unknown episodes)
- The Mississippi(Unknown episodes)
- Miami Vice(4 episodes, 1985–1986)
Awards and nominations[edit]
| Year | Result | Award | Category | Film or series |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1952 | Nominated | Writers Guild of America Award | Best Written American Musical | Here Comes the Groom(Shared withVirginia Van Upp& Myles Connolly) |
| 1952 | Nominated | Academy Award | Best Writing, Motion Picture Story | Here Comes the Groom(Shared withRobert Riskin) |
| 1976 | Won | Emmy Award | Outstanding Drama Series | Police Story(Shared withDavid Gerber,Stanley Kallis & Carl Pingitore) |
| 1977 | Nominated | Outstanding Drama Series | Police Story(Shared with David Gerber & Mel Swope) | |
| 1985 | Nominated | Outstanding Drama Series | Miami Vice(Shared with Richard Brams, George E. Crosby,Michael Mann,John Nicolella, Mel Swope &Anthony Yerkovich) |
References[edit]
External links[edit]
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| People | |
| Other | |
- 1913 births
- 1996 deaths
- Writers from Manhattan
- Screenwriters from New York City
- American male screenwriters
- American television writers
- Television producers from New York City
- Manhattan College alumni
- American male television writers
- 20th-century American businesspeople
- 20th-century American male writers
- 20th-century American screenwriters