Michael O'Shea (March 17, 1906, Hartford, Connecticut - December 4, 1973, Dallas, Texas) was an American character actor whose career spanned from the 1940s-1960s. Unlike his five brothers who became policemen, O'Shea dropped out of school at 12 and began his acting career in vaudeville by touring with boxing idol Jack Johnson's show.
Much like his character from Lady of Burlesque (1943), Biff Brannigan, O'Shea was a comedian and emcee at speakea...
more
Michael O'Shea (March 17, 1906, Hartford, Connecticut - December 4, 1973, Dallas, Texas) was an American character actor whose career spanned from the 1940s-1960s. Unlike his five brothers who became policemen, O'Shea dropped out of school at 12 and began his acting career in vaudeville by touring with boxing idol Jack Johnson's show.
Much like his character from Lady of Burlesque (1943), Biff Brannigan, O'Shea was a comedian and emcee at speakeasies. He put together his own dance band, "Michael O'Shea and His Stationary Gypsies", and later broke into radio and the "legitimate" stage, where he was billed for a time as "Eddie O'Shea". His performance in the 1942 play The Eve of St. Mark led to a string of film roles in the 40s, which included a memorable performance as Barbara Stanwyck's boyfriend comic in Lady of Burlesque. He also received great reviews in 1944 when he reprised his stage role of Private Thomas Mulveray in the film version of The Eve of St. Mark.
After his career in...
less
