..HUGH O' BRIAN
Information from IMDb
Date of birth
19 April 1925
Rochester, New York, USA
Birth name
Hugh Charles Krampe
Height
6' 1" (1.85 m)
Spouse
Virginia Barber (25 June 2006 - present)
Mini Biography
Born in Rochester, New York, actor Hugh O'Brian had 50s "beefcake" written all over him, but chose to avoid the obvious typecast when setting up his career. Hugh moved from place to place growing up while showing off his athletic prowess quite early. By the time he graduated from high school, he had lettered in football, basketball, wrestling and track. He enlisted in the Marine Corps at age 18, then ended up in Los Angeles upon his discharge. He joined a little theater group and a Santa Barbara stock company where he developed his acting chops and slowly built up his résumé. He was discovered for TV by director/actress Ida Lupino which opened the door to his signing with Universal Studios for films. Hugh's lean, rugged physique and exceptionally photographic mug had the modest, brown-eyed, curly-haired looker all over the movie magazines, but he rebelled against the image for the most part. As a result, his years with Universal were not as fruitful as they could have been. For the duration, he was pretty much confined as a secondary player to mediocre action pictures such as Red Ball Express (1952), Son of Ali Baba (1952) and Seminole (1953). It was Rock Hudson who earned all the Universal glamour guy roles and the out-and-out stardom that could have been Hugh's. In 1954, Hugh left Universal to freelance but did not fare any better until offered the starring role in "The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp" (1955) on TV, a year later. It became a mainstay hit and Hugh an "overnight" star. During his six-year run on the western classic, he managed to show off his singing talents on variety shows and appeared on Broadway. The handsome bachelor remained a durable talent throughout the 60s and 70s with plentiful work on the summer stock stage and on TV, including the series "Search" (1972), but never got the one role to earn the critical attention he merited. A sports enthusiast, his hobbies have included sailing, tennis, swimming and long-distance bicycling and his many philanthropic efforts have not gone unrecognized.
IMDb mini-biography by Gary Brumburgh
Trivia
Founder of HOBY (Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership), seeks out and helps recognize leadership potential in highschool sophomores.
Brother of Don Krampe
According to an article on TV westerns in Time Magazine (March 30, 1959), O'Brian stood 6 feet tall, weighed 170 lbs, and had chest-waist-hips measurements of 44-32-36
Attended Kemper Military School & College in Boonville, Missouri.
Was the youngest Drill Instructor in Marine Corps history - Age 17.
Was once a soda-jerk at Schwab's drug store on Sunset Boulevard
One of the first celebrities to frontline tours of Vietnam at the request of the State Department, Hugh once staged and directed a company of "Guys and Dolls" which toured Vietnam, Thailand and Japan for the troops.
The Hugh O'Brian Acting Awards Competition was developed in 1964 at UCLA with cash awards going to acting talents.
Was awarded one of the space community's highest honors with the 1972 Freedom Award for his variety of space-orientated projects, including the Hugh O'Brien Youth Foundation seminars at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Once recorded an album of popular songs and sang on the Ed Sullivan, Dinah Shore and Jackie Gleason variety shows.
Hugh's vast investments over the years have been wise and fruitful with dividends paying well in stocks and bonds, real estate, bowling alleys, a building equipment firm, a theatre-in-the-round, an oil syndicate and his own TV production company.
Inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in 1992.
Hugh O'Brian and teacher Virginia Barber had dated for 18 years before their marriage on June 25, 2006, at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, Calif. It was his first marriage; her second. She was 54; he was 81. The Rev. Robert Schuller, pastor of the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, officiated, and the couple was serenaded by close friend Debbie Reynolds. Dubbed "A Wedding to Die For", the ceremony concluded with a cocktail reception.
Alumnus of New Trier High School, Winnetka, Illinois, 1941.
Was the last person killed on screen by John Wayne, in The Shootist (1976).
Personal Quotes
"I believe every person is created as the steward of his or her own destiny with great power for a specific purpose: To share with others, through service, a reverence for life in a spirit of love."
Where are they now
(1997-) Spends most of his time working for the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY)
Filmography
Actor
1. Wyatt Earp: Return to Tombstone (1994) .... Wyatt Earp
2. "L.A. Law"
- Odor in the Court (1993) TV Episode .... Raymond Holtz
3. The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw (1991) (TV) .... Marshal Wyatt Earp
4. "Murder, She Wrote"
- A Body to Die For (1990) TV Episode .... Fred Keppard
5. Gunsmoke: The Last Apache (1990) (TV) .... Gen. Miles
6. "Paradise"
... aka Guns of Paradise (USA: new title)
- Home Again (1989) TV Episode
- A Gather of Guns (1989) TV Episode
7. Twins (1988/I) .... Granger
8. Doin' Time on Planet Earth (1988) .... Richard Camalier
9. "Matt Houston"
- The Kidnapping (1982) TV Episode .... Frank McCuen
10. "The Love Boat"
- April in Boston/Saving Grace/Breaks of Life (1982) TV Episode .... Gabriel
11. "Fantasy Island"
- House of Dolls/Wuthering Heights (1982) TV Episode .... Heathcliffe
- Crescendo/Three Feathers (1980) TV Episode .... Alan Colshaw
- PlayGirl/Smith's Valhalla (1980) TV Episode .... Jason Smith
- Cowboy/The Second Mrs. Winslow (1979) TV Episode .... Brian Kehoe
12. The Seekers (1979) (TV) .... Andrew Piggot
13. "Greatest Heroes of the Bible" (1978) (mini) TV Series .... Abner
14. Game of Death (1978) .... Steiner
... aka Bruce Lee's Game of Death
... aka Goodbye Bruce Lee: His Last Game of Death
... aka Si wang you ju
15. Cruise Into Terror (1978) (TV) .... Andy - Captain
... aka Voyage Into Evil (USA)
16. Murder at the World Series (1977) (TV) .... The Governor
... aka The Woman in Box 359
17. Fantasy Island (1977) (TV) .... Paul Henley
18. "Police Story"
- Spitfire (1977) TV Episode .... Ernie Sitko
- Open City (1976) TV Episode .... Rick Daley
- Collision Course (1973) TV Episode .... Vincent LaSorda
19. Benny and Barney: Las Vegas Undercover (1977) (TV) .... Jack Davis
... aka Benny and Barney, the Aristocrats (USA)
... aka Las Vegas Undercover
20. "Charlie's Angels"
- Lady Killer (1976) TV Episode .... Tony Mann
21. The Shootist (1976) .... Jack Pulford (faro dealer at Metropole Saloon)
22. "Good Heavens"
- A Night with Brockton (1976) TV Episode
23. Killer Force (1976) .... Lewis
... aka The Diamond Mercenaries (UK)
24. Murder on Flight 502 (1975) (TV) .... Detective Daniel Myerson
25. "Search" (1972) TV Series .... Hugh Lockwood (1972-1973)
26. Probe (1972) (TV) .... Hugh Lockwood
... aka Search
27. Harpy (1971) (TV) .... Peter Clune
28. Wild Women (1970) (TV) .... Killian
29. Strategy of Terror (1969) .... Matt Lacey
... aka In Darkness Waiting
30. A Punt, a Pass, and a Prayer (1968) (TV)
31. "Hallmark Hall of Fame"
... aka Hallmark Television Playhouse
- A Punt, a Pass, and a Prayer (1968) TV Episode .... Johnny Aragon
- Moby Dick (1954) TV Episode .... Starbuck
32. Dial M for Murder (1967) (TV) .... Mark Halliday
33. Africa - Texas Style! (1967) .... Jim Sinclair
34. "Preview Tonight"
- Great Bible Adventures: Seven Rich Years and Seven Lean (1966) TV Episode .... Joseph
35. Ambush Bay (1966) .... 1st Sgt. Steve Corey
36. "The Bell Telephone Hour"
- The Music of the West (1966) TV Episode .... Host
37. Ten Little Indians (1965) .... Hugh Lombard
... aka Agatha Christie's 'Ten Little Indians' (UK) (USA)
... aka And Then There Were None (UK)
38. Segreto del vestito rosso, Il (1965) .... Dick Sherman
... aka Assassination in Rome (USA)
... aka Assassinio Made in Italy
... aka Secreto de Bill North, El (Spain)
39. In Harm's Way (1965) (uncredited) .... U.S. Army Air Corps major (Liz Eddington's lover)
40. Love Has Many Faces (1965/I) .... Hank Walker
41. "Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre"
... aka The Chrysler Theater
... aka Universal Star Time (syndication title)
- Exit from a Plane in Flight (1965) TV Episode .... Quinton Morrow
- Runaway (1965) TV Episode .... Mig Semple
42. "Kraft Suspense Theatre"
- In Darkness, Waiting: Part 2 (1965) TV Episode .... Detective Matt Lacey
- In Darkness, Waiting: Part 1 (1965) TV Episode .... Detective Matt Lacey
43. "The Greatest Show on Earth"
- Garve (1963) TV Episode .... Garve
44. Come Fly with Me (1963) .... First Officer Ray Winsley
45. "Perry Mason"
- The Case of the Two-Faced Turn-a-bout (1963) TV Episode .... Bruce Jason
46. "Pantomime Quiz"
... aka Mike Stokey's Pantomime Quiz (USA)
... aka Stump the Stars (USA: new title)
- Hugh O'Brian vs. Dolores Gray (1963) TV Episode .... Guest Panelist
47. "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour"
- Ride the Nightmare (1962) TV Episode .... Christopher Martin
48. "The Virginian"
... aka The Men from Shiloh (USA: new title)
- The Executioners (1962) TV Episode .... Paul Taylor
49. "Alcoa Premiere"
- The Rules of the Game (1962) TV Episode .... Miles Hadley
50. "The Dick Powell Show"
... aka The Dick Powell Theatre (USA: new title)
- Up Jumped the Devil (1961) TV Episode .... Jack Farmer
51. Feathertop (1961) (TV) .... Feathertop
52. "Play of the Week"
- The Wingless Victory (1961) TV Episode
53. "Sunday Showcase"
- Our American Heritage: The Secret Rebel (1961) TV Episode .... John Honeyman
54. "General Electric Theater"
... aka G.E. Theater (USA: informal short title)
- The Graduation Dress (1960) TV Episode .... Sam Sharp
55. The Secret World of Eddie Hodges (1960) (TV) .... Wyatt Earp
56. "Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse"
... aka Desilu Playhouse
- Circle of Evil (1960) TV Episode .... Murray Kirk
- Chain of Command (1959) TV Episode .... Lieutenant Lee Baker
57. Alias Jesse James (1959) (uncredited) .... Wyatt Earp
58. The Fiend Who Walked the West (1958) .... Daniel Slade Hardy
59. "Playhouse 90"
- Reunion (1958) TV Episode .... Jason Merrick
- Invitation to a Gunfighter (1957) TV Episode .... Matt Jeffers
60. "The Christophers"
- As You Make It (1957) TV Episode
61. "The Ford Television Theatre"
... aka Ford Theatre (USA: short title)
- Ringside Seat (1957) TV Episode .... Matty Curran
62. The Brass Legend (1956) .... Sheriff Wade Addams
63. "The Star and the Story"
... aka The Henry Fonda Show (USA)
- Arab Duel (1956) TV Episode .... Hank
64. "Celebrity Playhouse"
- A Very Big Man (1955) TV Episode
65. The Twinkle in God's Eye (1955) .... Marty Calihan
66. "The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp" (1955) TV Series .... Marshal Wyatt Earp
... aka Wyatt Earp
67. "Damon Runyon Theater"
- A Light in France (1955) TV Episode .... Packy
68. "Stage 7"
- Billy and the Bride (1955) TV Episode .... Billy the Kid
69. "The Millionaire"
... aka If You Had a Million
- The Luke Fortune Story (1955) TV Episode .... Luke Fortune
70. "Letter to Loretta"
... aka The Loretta Young Show (USA: new title)
... aka The Loretta Young Theatre (USA: rerun title)
- Feeling No Pain (1955) TV Episode .... Larry Brown
- Three Minutes Too Late (1954) TV Episode .... Sam Hendricks
- Double Trouble (1954) TV Episode .... Walter Wallington
- Guest in the Night (1954) TV Episode .... Duke Cole
71. "Studio 57"
... aka Heinz Studio 57 (USA: alternative title)
- The Engagement Ring (1955) TV Episode
- Storm Signal (1954) TV Episode .... Giff Dillard
72. White Feather (1955) .... American Horse
73. There's No Business Like Show Business (1954) .... Charles Biggs
... aka Irving Berlin's There's No Business Like Show Business (USA: complete title)
74. Broken Lance (1954) .... Mike Devereaux
75. Drums Across the River (1954) .... Morgan
76. Fireman Save My Child (1954) .... Smitty
77. Saskatchewan (1954) .... Smith
... aka O'Rourke of the Royal Mounted (UK)
78. Taza, Son of Cochise (1954) (voice) (uncredited) .... Voice of Settler Killed by Indians
... aka Son of Cochise (USA)
79. Back to God's Country (1953) .... Frank Hudson
80. The Stand at Apache River (1953) .... Tom Kenyon
81. The Man from the Alamo (1953) .... Lt. Tom Lamar
82. Seminole (1953) .... Kajeck
83. The Lawless Breed (1953) .... Ike Hanley
84. Meet Me at the Fair (1953) .... Chilton Corr
85. The Raiders (1952) .... Hank Purvis
... aka Riders of Vengeance (USA: reissue title)
... aka The Riding Kid (USA)
86. Son of Ali Baba (1952) .... Hussein
87. Sally and Saint Anne (1952) .... Danny O'Moyne
88. Red Ball Express (1952) .... Pvt. Wilson
89. The Battle at Apache Pass (1952) .... Lt. Harley
90. The Cimarron Kid (1952) .... Red Buck
91. Cave of Outlaws (1951) .... Garth
92. On the Loose (1951) .... Dr. Phillips
93. Little Big Horn (1951) .... Pvt. Al DeWalt
... aka The Fighting Seventh (UK)
94. Fighting Coast Guard (1951) .... Tom Peterson
... aka Fighting U.S. Coast Guard
95. Buckaroo Sheriff of Texas (1951) .... Ted Gately
96. "Fireside Theatre"
- The Eleventh Hour (1951) TV Episode
- Shifting Sands (1951) TV Episode
- Going Home (1951) TV Episode
- Miggles (1950) TV Episode
97. Vengeance Valley (1951) .... Dick Fasken
98. The Return of Jesse James (1950) .... Lem Younger
99. Beyond the Purple Hills (1950) .... Jack Beaumont
100. Rocketship X-M (1950) .... Harry Chamberlain
... aka Expedition Moon
101. D.O.A. (1950) (uncredited) .... Jazz fan
102. Never Fear (1949) .... Len Randall
... aka The Young Lovers
103. Kidnapped (1948) (uncredited) .... Sailor
Most of them knew that this might be Duke's Last Film. 
So they made the Part of Jack Pulford the Gambler into a Larger Part. 
