Biography
John B. "Jack" O'Brien (December 13, 1884 β August 15, 1936) was an American actor and film director of the silent era. He appeared in more than 80 films between 1909 and 1936. He also directed 53 films between 1914 and 1926. O'Brien was born in Roanoke, Virginia. He attended St. John's College in Brooklyn, New York, and was planning on becoming a lawyer. However, Daniel Frohman persuaded him to change his mind and try a stage career instead.He performed as a juvenile lead for the Augustus Thomas Company, beginning with the play Alabama, and later for Essanay Studios. He also worked as a cameraman for Broncho Billy Anderson and wrote scenarios for Essanay.According to two sources, in July 1911, O'Brien was lured away from Essanay to direct the film The Life of Buffalo Bill, featuring Buffalo Bill himself. According to one of these sources, the book Buffalo Bill on the Silver Screen: The Films of William F. Cody, O'Brien had to shoot the film while the Wild West show was on tour. It was supposedly the first or one of the first five-reel feature movies. However, the opening credits of the film itself state that it is only three reels long. (To confuse the issue even further, there is another 1912 film with exactly the same title, directed by Paul Panzer.)
Some sources state he worked on D. W. Griffith's ground-breaking epic The Birth of a Nation. He directed for Famous Players and later Metro Pictures.He died in Hollywood, California. He was survived by his wife.
Filmography
all 87
Movies 87
Director 27
Saturday's Lesson (1929)
Cat, Dog & Co. (1929)
Jim Hood's Ghost (1926)
The Outlaw's Daughter (1925)
Those Who Dare (1924)
The Bride's Play (1922)
A Daughter of the Law (1921)
Thunder Island (1921)
Annabelle Lee (1921)
The Stealers (1920)
Bride 13 (1920)
Wings of Pride (1920)
Impossible Catherine (1919)
The Unforseen (1917)
Bab's Diary (1917)
Souls Triumphant (1917)
Mary Lawson's Secret (1917)
Hulda from Holland (1916)
Destiny's Toy (1916)
The Eternal Grind (1916)
The Flying Torpedo (1916)
The Foundling (1916)
The Foundling (1915)
Captain Macklin (1915)
The Folly of Anne (1914)
The Tear That Burned (1914)
A Mother's Influence (1914)
For Her Father's Sins (1914)
Back to the Kitchen (1914)
Sierra Jim's Reformation (1914)
The Second Mrs. Roebuck (1914)
The Mystery of the Hindu Image (1914)
The Angel of Contention (1914)
The Different Man (1914)
Life on the Circle Ranch in California (1912)
The Buffalo Bill Show (1912)
A Western Redemption (1911)
Spike Shannon's Last Fight (1911)
The Corporation and the Ranch Girl (1911)
The Tribe's Penalty (1911)
The Infant at Snakeville (1911)
The Lucky Card (1911)
Alkali Ike's Auto (1911)
The Puncher's New Love (1911)
The Indian Maiden's Lesson (1911)
Across the Plains (1911)
The Sheriff's Chum (1911)
The Faithful Indian (1911)
The Count and the Cowboys (1911)
A Cowboy's Vindication (1910)
Circle C Ranch's Wedding Present (1910)
Hank and Lank: As Sandwich Men (1910)
The Masquerade Cop (1910)
The Silent Message (1910)
Pals of the Range (1910)
A Close Shave (1910)
A Flirty Affliction (1910)
The Pony Express Rider (1910)
He Met the Champion (1910)
The Deputy's Love (1910)
Take Me Out to the Ball Game (1910)
The Dumb Half Breed's Defense (1910)
The Count That Counted (1910)
Under Western Skies (1910)
The Bad Man's Last Deed (1910)
The Forest Ranger (1910)
The Ranchman's Feud (1910)
Away Out West (1910)
The Little Doctor of the Foothills (1910)
The Cowpuncher's Ward (1910)
The Cowboy's Sweetheart (1910)
The Mistaken Bandit (1910)
The Bad Man and the Preacher (1910)
The Ranger's Bride (1910)
A Ranchman's Wooing (1910)
The Girl and the Fugitive (1910)
Method in His Madness (1910)
The Mexican's Faith (1910)
The Cowboy and the Squaw (1910)
The Outlaw's Sacrifice (1910)
Won by a Hold-Up (1910)
Electric Insoles (1910)
The Heart of a Cowboy (1909)
The Ranchman's Rival (1909)
His Reformation (1909)
The Best Man Wins (1909)
Saya Sendiri
Ratings
Information
Known ForDirecting
GenderMale
Birthday1884-12-13
Deathday1936-08-15 (51 years old)
Birth PlaceRoanoke, United States of America
CitizenshipsUnited States of America
Also Known AsJ.B. O'Brien, Jack G. O'Brien, Jack O'Brien, John D. O'Brien, John O'Brien, Ryan Sherwood
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