Donald O'Connor
Actor · Since 1939
Known for
Donald O'Connor was an American actor, dancer, and singer born on August 28, 1925, in Chicago, Illinois. He rose to fame as a child performer and became a major star of Hollywood musicals in the 1940s and 1950s. O'Connor is best remembered for his energetic performance of the number Make 'Em Laugh in Singin' in the Rain (1952), alongside Gene Kelly. He also starred in the popular Francis the Talking Mule film series. His career combined comedy, dance, and music across decades of Hollywood entertainment.
Donald O'Connor
Actor · Since 1939
58 Movies · 15 Series
Donald O'Connor was an American actor, dancer, and singer born on August 28, 1925, in Chicago, Illinois. He rose to fame as a child performer and became a major star of Hollywood musicals in the 1940s and 1950s. O'Connor is best remembered for his energetic performance of the number Make 'Em Laugh in Singin' in the Rain (1952), alongside Gene Kelly. He also starred in the popular Francis the Talking Mule film series. His career combined comedy, dance, and music across decades of Hollywood entertainment.
Movies
Plays Cosmo Brown
Singin' in the Rain
1952
Plays Kenneth Zevo
Toys
1992
Plays Evelyn's Dance Instructor
Ragtime
1981
Plays Tim Donahue
There's No Business Like Show Business
1954
Plays Jonathan
Out to Sea
1997
Plays Beau Geste (as a Child)
Beau Geste
1939
Plays Jigger Millard
Walking My Baby Back Home
1953
Plays Glenn's Dad
Pandemonium
1982
Plays Aladdin
The Wonders of Aladdin
1961
Plays Peter Stirling
Francis Goes to the Races
1951
Plays Harvey Granson
That Funny Feeling
1965
Plays Peter Stirling
Francis
1950
Plays Francis Joins The Navy
The Big Fix
1978
Plays Buster Keaton
The Buster Keaton Story
1957
Plays Ted Streaver (age 12)
Unmarried
1939
Plays Milton Haskins
Are You With It?
1948
Plays Roger Bradley
The Milkman
1950
Plays Peter Stirling / Slicker Donevan
Francis in the Navy
1955
Plays Edward Timmons
Curtain Call at Cactus Creek
1950
Plays Donald O'Connor
Follow the Boys
1944
Plays Wilbur McMurty
Feudin', Fussin' and A-Fightin'
1948
Plays Phil Jr. as a Boy
On Your Toes
1939
Plays Peter Stirling
Francis Covers the Big Town
1953
Plays Donny
Private Buckaroo
1942
Plays Murray Prince
Cry for Happy
1961
Plays Peter Stirling
Francis Goes to West Point
1952
Plays Davey Crandall
Double Crossbones
1951
Plays Peter Stirling
Francis Joins the WACS
1954
Plays Young Pat Falconer
Men with Wings
1938
Plays Ricky Ives
It Comes Up Love
1943
Plays Kenneth Gibson
Call Me Madam
1953
Plays Charlie Read
Something in the Wind
1947
Plays Mock Turtle
Alice in Wonderland
1983
Plays Melvin Hoover
I Love Melvin
1953
Plays Ted Adams
Anything Goes
1956
Plays Mike Beebe
Sing, You Sinners
1938
Plays Jimmy
This Is the Life
1944
Plays Donald J. O'Connor
Mister Big
1943
Plays Butch
Boy Trouble
1939
Plays Jimmy Monahan
The Merry Monahans
1944
Plays Don
Give Out, Sisters
1942
Plays Tommy
What's Cookin'?
1942
Plays Huckleberry Finn
Tom Sawyer, Detective
1938
TV Shows
Plays Self - Guest Host
The Colgate Comedy Hour
1950
Plays Oscar Tilton
The Love Boat
1977
Plays Self
Dinah!
1974
Plays Mock Turtle
Great Performances
1971
Plays Lory Bird
Alice in Wonderland
1985
Plays Barry Barnes
Murder, She Wrote
1984
Plays George Decova / Barnaby the Great
Simon & Simon
1981
Plays Joseph Renfield
Tales from the Crypt
1989
Plays Jackie Clark
Highway to Heaven
1984
Plays Harlow Safford
Frasier
1993
Plays Hermes
ABC Stage 67
1966
Plays Kenny Freeman
Ellery Queen
1975
Plays Fred
The Nanny
1993
Plays Johnny Shaw
DuPont Show of the Month
1957
Plays Holly Connor
Police Story
1973
Latest Trailers
Watch Trailer
Out to Sea
Full Filmography 73
Out to Sea
Jonathan
1997
The Nanny
Fred
1996Season 4
Frasier
Harlow Safford
1995Season 3
Toys
Kenneth Zevo
1992
Tales from the Crypt
Joseph Renfield
1992Season 4
Murder, She Wrote
Barry Barnes
1989Season 6
A Mouse, a Mystery and Me
Alex the Mouse (voice)
1987
A Time to Remember
Father Walsh
1987
Highway to Heaven
Jackie Clark
1987Season 4
Photos
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Donald O'Connor still alive?
Donald O'Connor passed away on September 27, 2003 at age 78.
What are the most famous roles of Donald O'Connor?
Donald O'Connor is best known for roles in Singin' in the Rain, Toys, Ragtime.
How many movies has Donald O'Connor been in?
Over a 66-year career (since 1937), Donald O'Connor has appeared in 58 movies and 11 TV shows.
What was Donald O'Connor's first movie?
The career of Donald O'Connor began with Melody for Two (1937).
What is Donald O'Connor's most recent movie or series?
Donald O'Connor's most recent release is Pioneers of Primetime, which premiered on November 9, 2005.
What TV shows has Donald O'Connor appeared in?
On television, Donald O'Connor has appeared in The Nanny, Tales from the Crypt, Frasier, Murder, She Wrote.
Donald O'Connor
1925-08-28 · Chicago, Illinois, USA
Donald O’Connor (August 28, 1925 – September 27, 2003) was an American dancer, singer, and actor who came to fame in a series of movies in which he co-starred alternately with Gloria Jean, Peggy Ryan, and Francis the Talking Mule. He is best known today for his role in Singin' in the Rain.