Donald O'Connor
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
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 Jonathan Devereaux
Out to Sea
1997
Plays Beau Geste (as a Child)
Beau Geste
1939
Plays Francis Joins The Navy
The Big Fix
1978
Plays Evelyn's Dance Instructor
Ragtime
1981
Plays Tim Donahue
There's No Business Like Show Business
1954
Plays Jigger Millard
Walking My Baby Back Home
1953
Plays Aladdin
The Wonders of Aladdin
1961
Plays Buster Keaton
The Buster Keaton Story
1957
Plays Glenn's Dad
Pandemonium
1982
Plays Murray Prince
Cry for Happy
1961
Plays Peter Stirling
Francis
1950
Plays Donald O'Connor
Follow the Boys
1944
Plays Peter Stirling
Francis Goes to West Point
1952
Plays Ted Streaver (age 12)
Unmarried
1939
Plays Harvey Granson
That Funny Feeling
1965
Plays Ted Adams
Anything Goes
1956
Plays Donny
Private Buckaroo
1942
Plays Jimmy
This Is the Life
1944
Plays Young Pat Falconer
Men with Wings
1938
Plays Peter Stirling
Francis Goes to the Races
1951
Plays Davey Crandall
Double Crossbones
1951
Plays Peter Stirling / Slicker Donevan
Francis in the Navy
1955
Plays Kenneth Gibson
Call Me Madam
1953
Plays Melvin Hoover
I Love Melvin
1953
Plays Don
Give Out, Sisters
1942
Plays Donald J. O'Connor
Mister Big
1943
Plays Roger Bradley
The Milkman
1950
Plays Peter Stirling
Francis Joins the WACS
1954
Plays Mock Turtle
Alice in Wonderland
1983
Plays Peter Stirling
Francis Covers the Big Town
1953
Plays Wilbur McMurty
Feudin', Fussin' and A-Fightin'
1948
Plays Charlie Read
Something in the Wind
1947
Plays Edward Timmons
Curtain Call at Cactus Creek
1950
Plays Jimmy Monahan
The Merry Monahans
1944
Plays Phil Jr. as a Boy
On Your Toes
1939
Plays Butch
Boy Trouble
1939
Plays Huckleberry Finn
Tom Sawyer, Detective
1938
Plays Ricky Ives
It Comes Up Love
1943
Plays Milton Haskins
Are You With It?
1948
Plays Don Warren
Top Man
1943
Plays Mike Beebe
Sing, You Sinners
1938
Plays Tommy
What's Cookin'?
1942
TV Shows
Plays Self - Host
The Colgate Comedy Hour
1950
Plays Self
Dinah!
1974
Plays Oscar Tilton
The Love Boat
1977
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 Lory Bird
Alice in Wonderland
1985
Plays Fred
The Nanny
1993
Plays Johnny Shaw
DuPont Show of the Month
1957
Plays Mock Turtle
Great Performances
1971
Plays Holly Connor
Police Story
1973
Latest Trailers
Watch Trailer
Toys
Full Filmography
Out to Sea
Jonathan Devereaux
1997
Film
Frasier
Harlow Safford · 1 episode
1995–1996
TV
The Nanny
Fred · 1 episode
1996
TV
Tales from the Crypt
Joseph Renfield · 1 episode
1992
TV
Toys
Kenneth Zevo
1992
Film
Murder, She Wrote
Barry Barnes · 1 episode
1989–1990
TV
Highway to Heaven
Jackie Clark · 1 episode
1987
TV
A Mouse, a Mystery and Me
Alex the Mouse (voice)
1987
Film
A Time to Remember
Father Walsh
1987
Film
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.