Actor. Burly character performer of silent films and early talkies. He won fame for his role as Corporal Bull O'Hara in "The Big Parade" (1925), the biggest box-office hit of the 1920s. In this classic World War I drama, O'Brien was teamed with Karl Dane as the "comic relief" buddies of the hero, played by John Gilbert. His other credits include "The Sagebrusher" (1920), "White Fang" (1925), "Twelve Miles Out" (1927), "The Private Life of Helen of Troy" (as Ulysses, 1927), "Moby Dick" (as Starbuck, 1930), and "The Murder at the Museum" (1934). Thomas O'Brien was born in San Diego, California, and made his screen debut in 1914. He was typically cast in small supporting parts as Irish types. The immense success of "The Big Parade", which made the careers of almost everyone involved, somehow did not rub off on him; he continued to play minor roles in mostly minor films, and by 1937 he had faded from the Hollywood scene.
Actor. Burly character performer of silent films and early talkies. He won fame for his role as Corporal Bull O'Hara in "The Big Parade" (1925), the biggest box-office hit of the 1920s. In this classic World War I drama, O'Brien was teamed with Karl Dane as the "comic relief" buddies of the hero, played by John Gilbert. His other credits include "The Sagebrusher" (1920), "White Fang" (1925), "Twelve Miles Out" (1927), "The Private Life of Helen of Troy" (as Ulysses, 1927), "Moby Dick" (as Starbuck, 1930), and "The Murder at the Museum" (1934). Thomas O'Brien was born in San Diego, California, and made his screen debut in 1914. He was typically cast in small supporting parts as Irish types. The immense success of "The Big Parade", which made the careers of almost everyone involved, somehow did not rub off on him; he continued to play minor roles in mostly minor films, and by 1937 he had faded from the Hollywood scene.
Bio by: Bobb Edwards
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