Personal Info

Known For

Acting

Known Credits

255

Gender

Male

Birthday

1912-05-31

Day of Death

1969-11-08 (57 years old)

Place of Birth

Big Spring, Texas, USA

Also Known As

David Poole Fronabarger

David Fronabarger

David O'Brien

Dave O'Brian

Dave Tex O'Brien

Dave 'Tex' O'Brien

Tex O'Brien

Tex Coe

David Barclay

Dave Barclay

Dave O'Brien

Biography

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Dave O'Brien (born David Poole Fronabarger, May 31, 1912 – November 8, 1969) was an American film actor, director, and writer. O'Brien was best known to movie audiences in the 1940s as the hero of the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer comedy short film series Pete Smith Specialties narrated by Pete Smith. O'Brien wrote and directed many of these subjects under the name David Barclay. He also appeared in many low-budget Westerns, often billed as Tex O'Brien. In 1942, O'Brien starred in the movie serial Captain Midnight. Modern audiences perhaps best remember O'Brien as a frantic dope addict in the 1936 low-budget exploitation film Tell Your Children (better known under its reissue title, Reefer Madness). As a writer for The Red Skelton Show, O'Brien shared an Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series in 1961 and shared a nomination for the same award in 1963. O'Brien died, aged 57, of a heart attack while competing in a yachting race.

Known For

One Man's Journey

One Man's Journey

Sitting Pretty

Sitting Pretty

The Spider Returns

The Spider Returns

I Love My Wife BUT!

I Love My Wife BUT!

I Love My Mother-In-Law But...

I Love My Mother-In-Law But...

Treasures from Trash

Treasures from Trash

Acting

Welcome Home

1935

Welcome Home

as

Stanley Phillips

The Devil Bat

1940

The Devil Bat

as

Johnny Layton

Million Dollar Racket

1937

Million Dollar Racket

as

Johnny Henessey

Spooks Run Wild

1941

Spooks Run Wild

as

Jeff Dixon

Song of the Buckaroo

1938

Song of the Buckaroo

as

Tex Alden

Tell Your Children

1938

Tell Your Children

as

Ralph

Those Good Old Days

1949

Those Good Old Days

as

Man's Country

1938

Man's Country

as

Bat

Bowery at Midnight

1942

Bowery at Midnight

as

Det. Pete Crawford

Born to Be Wild

1938

Born to Be Wild

as

Trucker (uncredited)

The Sign of the Cross

1932

The Sign of the Cross

as

Christian on Stairway (uncredited)

Neighbor Pests

1947

Neighbor Pests

as

The Secret of Treasure Island

1938

The Secret of Treasure Island

as

Det. Jameson [Chs. 4-7]

Let's Cogitate

1948

Let's Cogitate

as

Oliver T. Aseltafel

Trigger Smith

1939

Trigger Smith

as

Duke

The Kettles in the Ozarks

1956

The Kettles in the Ozarks

as

Conductor

Buzzy and the Phantom Pinto

1941

Buzzy and the Phantom Pinto

as

Jim Dana

Flying Wild

1941

Flying Wild

as

Tom Lawson

On the Spot

1940

On the Spot

as

Charlie

Forbidden Trails

1941

Forbidden Trails

as

Jim Cramer

Frontier Scout

1938

Frontier Scout

as

Steve Norris

Riders of the Sage

1939

Riders of the Sage

as

Tom Martin

Whirlwind Horseman

1938

Whirlwind Horseman

as

Henchman Slade

Wonder Bar

1934

Wonder Bar

as

Chorus Boy (uncredited)

Crashing Thru

1939

Crashing Thru

as

Fred Chambers

Enemy of the Law

1945

Enemy of the Law

as

Dave Wyatt

Gangsters of the Frontier

1944

Gangsters of the Frontier

as

Dave Wyatt

Frontier Fugitives

1945

Frontier Fugitives

as

Dave Wyatt

The Phantom of 42nd Street

1945

The Phantom of 42nd Street

as

Tony Woolrich

Consolation Marriage

1931

Consolation Marriage

as

Man Picking Up Stack of Newspapers (uncredited)

Down Texas Way

1942

Down Texas Way

as

Dave Dodge

The Man Who Walked Alone

1945

The Man Who Walked Alone

as

Marion Scott

Queen of the Yukon

1940

Queen of the Yukon

as

Bob Adams

The Black Coin

1936

The Black Coin

as

Terry Navarro

Law and Order

1942

Law and Order

as

Jeff Travis

Brothers of the West

1937

Brothers of the West

as

Bart

Daughter of the Tong

1939

Daughter of the Tong

as

Jerry Morgan

Where the Buffalo Roam

1938

Where the Buffalo Roam

as

Jeff Gray

Utah Trail

1938

Utah Trail

as

Mason - Bookkeeper

The Singing Cowgirl

1938

The Singing Cowgirl

as

Dick Williams

One Man's Journey

1933

One Man's Journey

as

Dance Extra (uncredited)

42nd Street: From Book to Screen to Stage

2006

42nd Street: From Book to Screen to Stage

as

Self (archive footage)

Gun Packer

1938

Gun Packer

as

Red Baker - Henchman

Out for Fun

1954

Out for Fun

as

Businessman Seeking Relaxation

Phantom Rancher

1940

Phantom Rancher

as

Henchman Lucke

Drifting Westward

1939

Drifting Westward

as

Henchman Trigger

Flaming Lead

1939

Flaming Lead

as

Frank Gordon

Captain Midnight

1942

Captain Midnight

as

Captain Albright / Captain Midnight

Good News

1930

Good News

as

Student

T.V. of Tomorrow

1953

T.V. of Tomorrow

as

Man on TV

Buried Alive

1939

Buried Alive

as

Carson

Hot Saturday

1932

Hot Saturday

as

Party Guest (Uncredited)

Water Rustlers

1939

Water Rustlers

as

Bob Lawson

Flying High

1931

Flying High

as

Dancer (uncredited)

Woman Wanted

1935

Woman Wanted

as

Steve - Tap Dancer at Baxter's Party (uncredited)

College Humor

1933

College Humor

as

Student

The Whispering Skull

1944

The Whispering Skull

as

Dave Wyatt

On Your Toes

1939

On Your Toes

as

Man in Audience

Roar of the Dragon

1932

Roar of the Dragon

as

Submarine Crewman

Guns of the Law

1944

Guns of the Law

as

Tex Wyatt

Code of the Cactus

1939

Code of the Cactus

as

Bob Swane

Undercover Agent

1939

Undercover Agent

as

Billiards Player

Outlaws' Paradise

1939

Outlaws' Paradise

as

Henchman Meggs

Wyoming Outlaw

1939

Wyoming Outlaw

as

Acacia Park Game Warden

New Frontier

1939

New Frontier

as

Jason Braddock

Fighting Mad

1939

Fighting Mad

as

Constable Kelly

The Fighting Renegade

1939

The Fighting Renegade

as

Dr. Jerry Leonard

The Arizona Kid

1939

The Arizona Kid

as

Soldier

Mutiny in the Big House

1939

Mutiny in the Big House

as

Daniels

Billy the Kid Wanted

1941

Billy the Kid Wanted

as

Jeff

Double Trouble

1941

Double Trouble

as

Sparky Barton

The Pinto Bandit

1944

The Pinto Bandit

as

Tex Wyatt

Texas Wildcats

1939

Texas Wildcats

as

Ed Arden

Danger Ahead

1940

Danger Ahead

as

Corporal Kelly

Murder on the Yukon

1940

Murder on the Yukon

as

Constable Kelly

The Texas Marshal

1941

The Texas Marshal

as

Buzz Weston

Yukon Flight

1940

Yukon Flight

as

Constable Kelly

Sky Bandits

1940

Sky Bandits

as

Constable Kelly

Rollin' Westward

1939

Rollin' Westward

as

Ranch hand Red

Trail of Terror

1943

Trail of Terror

as

Tex Wyatt / Curly Wyatt

Tahiti Nights

1944

Tahiti Nights

as

Jack

Bad Men of Thunder Gap

1943

Bad Men of Thunder Gap

as

Tex Wyatt

The Adventures of Frank Merriwell

1936

The Adventures of Frank Merriwell

as

George Baldwin

Things We Can Do Without

1953

Things We Can Do Without

as

Thaddeus E. Thud III

Carry Harry

1942

Carry Harry

as

Arthur - Harry's Friend

That Gang of Mine

1940

That Gang of Mine

as

Knuckles Dolan

Boys of the City

1940

Boys of the City

as

Knuckles Dolan

Search for Beauty

1934

Search for Beauty

as

Talent Contestant (uncredited)

East Side Kids

1940

East Side Kids

as

Knuckles Dolan

Prisoner of Japan

1942

Prisoner of Japan

as

U. S. Marine

'Neath Brooklyn Bridge

1942

'Neath Brooklyn Bridge

as

Sgt. Phil Lyons

Ain't It Aggravatin'

1954

Ain't It Aggravatin'

as

Parking Space Hog / Apartment House Manager / Frugal Man / Harry Hollowhead

Did'ja Know?

1950

Did'ja Know?

as

Expectant Father / Greeting Card Shopper / Hospital Patient / Job Applicant

The Rangers Take Over

1942

The Rangers Take Over

as

Tex Wyatt

The Gunman From Bodie

1941

The Gunman From Bodie

as

Joe Martin

Rough Riding Rhythm

1937

Rough Riding Rhythm

as

Detective Waters

The Cowboy from Sundown

1940

The Cowboy from Sundown

as

Steve Davis

Student Tour

1934

Student Tour

as

Student

Sitting Pretty

1933

Sitting Pretty

as

Assistant Cameraman (uncredited)

Tomorrow's Children

1934

Tomorrow's Children

as

Interne (uncredited)

Gift of Gab

1934

Gift of Gab

as

Dancer (uncredited)

College Coach

1933

College Coach

as

Student on Tennis Court (uncredited)

Son of the Navy

1940

Son of the Navy

as

Nelson

Isle Of Destiny

1940

Isle Of Destiny

as

Whitey - Navy Radio Man

Movie Pests

1944

Movie Pests

as

Feet-in-the-Aisle Pest

The Fall Guy

1955

The Fall Guy

as

Himself as Various Characters (archive footage)

I Love My Husband, But!

1946

I Love My Husband, But!

as

The Husband

Sure Cures

1946

Sure Cures

as

Xavier T. Schneckendorf

Hold That Woman!

1940

Hold That Woman!

as

Miles Hanover

Equestrian Quiz: What's Your I.Q.? No. 11

1946

Equestrian Quiz: What's Your I.Q.? No. 11

as

Horace

Murder at the Vanities

1934

Murder at the Vanities

as

Chorus Boy (uncredited)

We're Rich Again

1934

We're Rich Again

as

Pete (uncredited)

Doubting Thomas

1935

Doubting Thomas

as

Member of Audience

Is My Face Red?

1932

Is My Face Red?

as

Chorus Boy (uncredited)

Pick-up

1933

Pick-up

as

Party Boy (uncredited)

The Girl on the Front Page

1936

The Girl on the Front Page

as

Nightclub Patron

The Deadly Game

1941

The Deadly Game

as

Ralph Spencer

Border Buckaroos

1943

Border Buckaroos

as

Tex Wyatt

Boss of Rawhide

1943

Boss of Rawhide

as

Tex Wyatt

The Spider Returns

1941

The Spider Returns

as

Jackson, Wentworth's Aide

Billy the Kid's Smoking Guns

1942

Billy the Kid's Smoking Guns

as

Jeff

Studio Visit

1946

Studio Visit

as

O'Brien

Sheriff of Sage Valley

1942

Sheriff of Sage Valley

as

Jeff

Gun Code

1940

Gun Code

as

Henchman Gale

Billy the Kid in Santa Fe

1941

Billy the Kid in Santa Fe

as

Texas Joe

Fighting Valley

1943

Fighting Valley

as

Tex Wyatt

The Return of the Rangers

1943

The Return of the Rangers

as

Tex Wyatt

West of Texas

1943

West of Texas

as

Tex Wyatt

1944

Brand of the Devil

as

Tex Wyatt

Dead or Alive

1944

Dead or Alive

as

Dave Wyatt

Outlaw Roundup

1944

Outlaw Roundup

as

Tex Wyatt

Marked for Murder

1945

Marked for Murder

as

Dave Wyatt

Gunsmoke Mesa

1944

Gunsmoke Mesa

as

Tex Wyatt

Spook Town

1944

Spook Town

as

Tex Wyatt

Three in the Saddle

1945

Three in the Saddle

as

Dave Wyatt

Flaming Bullets

1945

Flaming Bullets

as

Dave Wyatt / Steve Carson

Starlight Over Texas

1938

Starlight Over Texas

as

Henchman

The Desperados Are in Town

1956

The Desperados Are in Town

as

Dock Lapman / Mr. Brown

Murder by Invitation

1941

Murder by Invitation

as

Michael, the chauffeur

Lightnin' Crandall

1937

Lightnin' Crandall

as

Tommy Shannon

The Dawn Patrol

1930

The Dawn Patrol

as

Pilot (uncredited)

I Love My Wife BUT!

1947

I Love My Wife BUT!

as

The Husband

A Wife's Life

1950

A Wife's Life

as

George T. Hardnose (uncredited)

I Love My Mother-In-Law But...

1948

I Love My Mother-In-Law But...

as

The Son-In-Law / Husband

Cash Stashers

1953

Cash Stashers

as

A Shmoe Named Joe

I Love Children, But!

1952

I Love Children, But!

as

The Daddy

Just What I Needed

1955

Just What I Needed

as

Harry Horseknuckle

The Man Around the House

1955

The Man Around the House

as

Hugo Hightonsil (uncredited)

Rasputin and the Empress

1932

Rasputin and the Empress

as

Soldier (uncredited)

Wrong Way Butch

1950

Wrong Way Butch

as

Butch

You Can't Win

1948

You Can't Win

as

Harried Homeowner

Do Someone a Favor!

1954

Do Someone a Favor!

as

George Dibson

That's Entertainment, Part II

1976

That's Entertainment, Part II

as

(archive footage)

Just Suppose

1948

Just Suppose

as

Husband (uncredited)

Reducing

1952

Reducing

as

Man on Bench (uncredited)

Have You Ever Wondered?

1947

Have You Ever Wondered?

as

Husband / Driver / Man at Gumball Machine / Toupee Wearer

Victory Quiz

1942

Victory Quiz

as

Calling All Pa's

1942

Calling All Pa's

as

Joe Thunderstruck

Safety Sleuth

1944

Safety Sleuth

as

Careless Man

King of the Stallions

1942

King of the Stallions

as

Treasures from Trash

1946

Treasures from Trash

as

Alonzo T. Mousebrain

The Big Parade of Comedy

1964

The Big Parade of Comedy

as

Actor in the Pete Smith Shorts (archive footage)

70,000 Witnesses

1932

70,000 Witnesses

as

Football Player (uncredited)

Ship Cafe

1935

Ship Cafe

as

Young Man (uncredited)

Seventh Column

1943

Seventh Column

as

Falstaff Pratt the Indestructible Man

Kiss Me Kate

1953

Kiss Me Kate

as

Ralph

Wanted - A Master

1936

Wanted - A Master

as

Dog's Master (uncredited)

No More Ladies

1935

No More Ladies

as

Party Guest (uncredited)

Sportsman's Memories

1944

Sportsman's Memories

as

Fabian Tecumseh 'Joe' Funk (uncredited)

Tennessee Champ

1954

Tennessee Champ

as

Luke MacWade

The Yanks Are Coming

1942

The Yanks Are Coming

as

Sgt. Callahan

She Married Her Boss

1935

She Married Her Boss

as

Shopper

Madam Satan

1930

Madam Satan

as

Zeppelin Reveler

What About Daddy?

1942

What About Daddy?

as

The Husband

Devil and the Deep

1932

Devil and the Deep

as

Submarine Crewman (uncredited)

Music in the Air

1934

Music in the Air

as

Karl Roder (singing voice) (uncredited)

Production

Crew

Sky Raiders

1941

Sky Raiders

as

The Spider's Web

1938

The Spider's Web

as

The Iron Claw

1941

The Iron Claw

as

Directing

Bowling Tricks

1948

Bowling Tricks

as

Did'ja Know?

1950

Did'ja Know?

as

Diamond Demon

1947

Diamond Demon

as

Super Cue Men

1949

Super Cue Men

as

Reducing

1952

Reducing

as

Out for Fun

1954

Out for Fun

as

Those Good Old Days

1949

Those Good Old Days

as

Things We Can Do Without

1953

Things We Can Do Without

as

Neighbor Pests

1947

Neighbor Pests

as

Ain't It Aggravatin'

1954

Ain't It Aggravatin'

as

Crashing the Movies

1950

Crashing the Movies

as

Equestrian Quiz: What's Your I.Q.? No. 11

1946

Equestrian Quiz: What's Your I.Q.? No. 11

as

I Love My Husband, But!

1946

I Love My Husband, But!

as

The Fall Guy

1955

The Fall Guy

as

Wrong Way Butch

1950

Wrong Way Butch

as

Let's Cogitate

1948

Let's Cogitate

as

You Can't Win

1948

You Can't Win

as

Sure Cures

1946

Sure Cures

as

A Wife's Life

1950

A Wife's Life

as

We Can Dream, Can't We?

1949

We Can Dream, Can't We?

as

I Love My Wife BUT!

1947

I Love My Wife BUT!

as

I Love My Mother-In-Law But...

1948

I Love My Mother-In-Law But...

as

Cash Stashers

1953

Cash Stashers

as

Camera Sleuth

1951

Camera Sleuth

as

I Love Children, But!

1952

I Love Children, But!

as

The Man Around the House

1955

The Man Around the House

as

Just What I Needed

1955

Just What I Needed

as

Film Antics

1954

Film Antics

as

Do Someone a Favor!

1954

Do Someone a Favor!

as

Early Sports Quiz: What's Your I.Q. No. 13

1947

Early Sports Quiz: What's Your I.Q. No. 13

as

Pest Control

1950

Pest Control

as

Just Suppose

1948

Just Suppose

as

Bargain Madness

1951

Bargain Madness

as

Have You Ever Wondered?

1947

Have You Ever Wondered?

as

Ice Aces

1948

Ice Aces

as

Musiquiz

1952

Musiquiz

as

Treasures from Trash

1946

Treasures from Trash

as

The Mosconi Story

1953

The Mosconi Story

as

Football Thrills No. 10

1947

Football Thrills No. 10

as

Surfboard Rhythm

1947

Surfboard Rhythm

as