Dennis O'Keefe

from Fort Madison, Iowa, USA

Artwork for San FranciscoImage of Dennis O'Keefe

Biography

Dennis O'Keefe (March 29, 1908 – August 31, 1968) was an American actor. He was the son of Irish vaudevillians working in the United States. As a small child he joined his parents' act and later wrote skits for the stage.

O'Keefe started in films as an extra in the early 1930s. After a small but impressive role in Saratoga, Clark Gable recommended O'Keefe to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, which signed him to a contract in 1937. His film roles were bigger after that, starting with The Bad Man of Brimstone and Burn 'Em Up O'Connor.

O'Keefe left MGM around 1940 but continued to work in mostly lower budget productions. In the 1950s he did some directing, wrote mystery stories and by the mid-1950s found work on television shows such as Justice, The Martha Raye Show, The Ford Show as well as his own series The Dennis O'Keefe Show.

Timeline

1964Aged 56

  • Poster for The Naked Flame

    Paul Ashley

1961Aged 53

  • Poster for All Hands on Deck

    Brian O'Gara

1957Aged 49

  • Poster for Lady of Vengeance

    William T. Marshall

  • Poster for Dragoon Wells Massacre

    Capt. Matt Riordan

  • Poster for Sail Into Danger

    Steve Ryman

1956Aged 48

  • Poster for Confession

    Ben Birch

1955Aged 47

  • Poster for Las Vegas Shakedown

    Joe Barnes

  • Poster for Chicago Syndicate

    Barry Amsterdam

  • Poster for Inside Detroit

    Blair Vickers

1954Aged 46

  • Poster for The Diamond Wizard

    Joe Dennison

  • Poster for Drums of Tahiti

    Mike Macklin

  • Poster for Angela

    Steve Catlett

  • Poster for The Black Knight

    Dialogue

1953Aged 45

  • Poster for The Lady Wants Mink

    Jim Connors

  • Poster for The Fake

    Paul Mitchell

1952Aged 44

  • Poster for One Big Affair

    Jimmy Donovan

  • Poster for Everything I Have Is Yours

    Alec Tacksbury

1951Aged 43

  • Poster for The Company She Keeps

    Larry

  • Poster for Follow the Sun

    Chuck Williams

  • Poster for Passage West

    Jacob Karns

1950Aged 42

  • Poster for The Eagle and the Hawk

    Whitney Randolph

  • Poster for Woman on the Run

    Dan Legget

1949Aged 41

  • Poster for Siren of Atlantis

    Jean Morhange

  • Poster for Cover Up

    Sam Donovan

  • Poster for The Great Dan Patch

    David Palmer

  • Poster for Abandoned

    Mark Sitko

1948Aged 40

  • Poster for Raw Deal

    Joe Sullivan

  • Poster for Walk a Crooked Mile

    Daniel F. O'Hara

1947Aged 39

  • Poster for Mr. District Attorney

    Steve Bennett

  • Poster for Dishonored Lady

    Dr. David Cousins

  • Poster for T-Men

    Dennis O'Brien / Vannie Harrigan

1946Aged 38

  • Poster for Her Adventurous Night

    Bill Fry

1945Aged 37

  • Poster for Earl Carroll Vanities

    Danny Baldwin

  • Poster for Brewster's Millions

    Montague L. 'Monty' Brewster

  • Poster for The Affairs of Susan

    Bill Anthony

  • Poster for Getting Gertie's Garter

    Kenneth B. Ford

  • Poster for Doll Face

    Michael Francis 'Mike' Hannegan

1944Aged 36

  • Poster for The Fighting Seabees

    Lt. Cmdr. Robert Yarrow

  • Poster for Sensations of 1945

    Junior Crane

  • Poster for The Story of Dr. Wassell

    Benjamin 'Hoppy' Hopkins

  • Poster for Abroad with Two Yanks

    Jeff Reardon

  • Poster for Up in Mabel's Room

    Boris

1943Aged 35

  • Poster for Hangmen Also Die!

    Jan Horak

  • Poster for Tahiti Honey

    Mickey Monroe

  • Poster for Good Morning, Judge

    David Barton

  • Poster for The Leopard Man

    Jerry Manning

  • Poster for Hi Diddle Diddle

    Sonny Phyffe

1942Aged 34

  • Poster for The Affairs of Jimmy Valentine

    Mike Jason

  • Poster for Moonlight Masquerade

    John Bennett Jr.

1941Aged 33

  • Poster for Topper Returns

    Bob

  • Poster for Mr. District Attorney

    P. Cadwallader Jones

  • Poster for Broadway Limited

    Dr. Harvey North

  • Poster for Lady Scarface

    Lieutenant Bill Mason

  • Poster for Weekend for Three

    Jim 'Jimbo' Craig

1940Aged 32

  • Poster for Alias the Deacon

    Johnny Sloan

  • Poster for La Conga Nights

    Steve Collins

  • Poster for Pop Always Pays

    Jeff Thompson

  • Poster for Girl from Havana

    Woody Davis

  • Poster for I'm Nobody's Sweetheart Now

    Tod Lowell

  • Poster for Arise, My Love

    Shep

  • Poster for You'll Find Out

    Chuck Deems

  • Poster for Bowery Boy

    Dr. Tom O'Hara

1939Aged 31

  • Poster for Burn 'Em Up O'Connor

    Jerry O'Connor

  • Poster for The Kid From Texas

    William Quincy

  • Poster for Unexpected Father

    Jimmy Hanley

  • Poster for That's Right – You're Wrong

    Chuck Deems

1938Aged 30

  • Poster for A Yank at Oxford

    Racetrack Handler (uncredited)

  • Poster for Hold That Kiss

    Tommy Bradford

  • Poster for The Chaser

    Tom Brandon

  • Poster for Vacation from Love

    Bill Blair

  • Poster for The Kid Comes Back

    Story

1937Aged 29

  • Poster for Champagne Waltz

    Dance Extra at Blue Danube Room

  • Poster for Mama Steps Out

    Dance Extra

  • Poster for History Is Made at Night

    Restaurant Patron (uncredited)

  • Poster for Swing High, Swing Low

    Purser (uncredited)

  • Poster for Top of the Town

    Frank

  • Poster for A Star Is Born

    Burke's Party Guest (uncredited)

  • Poster for Make Way for Tomorrow

    Nightclub Patron (uncredited)

  • Poster for The Girl from Scotland Yard

    John

  • Poster for Riding on Air

    Radium Plane 23 Co-Pilot (uncredited)

  • Poster for The Great Gambini

    Nightclub Patron

  • Poster for Captains Courageous

    Bit Role (uncredited)

  • Poster for Easy Living

    Office Manager (uncredited)

  • Poster for Saratoga

    Party guest

  • Poster for Walter Wanger's Vogues of 1938

    Nightclub Patron

  • Poster for One Mile from Heaven

    Party Guest

  • Poster for The Firefly

    French Soldier Admirer (uncredited)

  • Poster for The Bad Man of Brimstone

    Jeffrey Burton

1936Aged 28

  • Poster for Strike Me Pink

    Club Lido Patron (uncredited)

  • Poster for Love Before Breakfast

    College Boy (uncredited)

  • Poster for Colleen

    Extra on Dance Floor (uncredited)

  • Poster for Mr. Deeds Goes to Town

    Courtroom Reporter (uncredited)

  • Poster for The Singing Kid

    Bud (uncredited)

  • Poster for Small Town Girl

    Man Dancing in Tavern (uncredited)

  • Poster for 13 Hours by Air

    Baker-Co-Pilot

  • Poster for Show Boat

    (Unknown)

  • Poster for Burning Gold

    Derrick Worker

  • Poster for Private Number

    Gambler (Uncredited)

  • Poster for Fury

    Reporter (uncredited)

  • Poster for San Francisco

    New Year's Celebrant (uncredited)

  • Poster for Rhythm on the Range

    Sidewalk Heckler

  • Poster for Yours for the Asking

    Man (uncredited)

  • Poster for Piccadilly Jim

    Petie McGregor (uncredited)

  • Poster for Sworn Enemy

    Bandleader (uncredited)

  • Poster for The Big Broadcast of 1937

    Sound Technician (uncredited)

  • Poster for Libeled Lady

    Barker at Charity Affair (uncredited)

  • Poster for Theodora Goes Wild

    Man (uncredited)

  • Poster for The Accusing Finger

    Reporter

  • Poster for Rose Bowl

    Jones

  • Poster for Great Guy

    Party Guest (Uncredited)

  • Poster for Sinner Take All

    Night Club Guest (uncredited)

  • Poster for Three Smart Girls

    Nightclub Extra

  • Poster for Beloved Enemy

    Reception Guest (Uncredited)

1935Aged 27

  • Poster for The Gilded Lily

    Nightclub Extra (uncredited)

  • Poster for The Wedding Night

    Party Guest (uncredited)

  • Poster for One New York Night

    Extra

  • Poster for Mississippi

    Party Guest (uncredited)

  • Poster for Baby Face Harrington

    Country Club Patron (uncredited)

  • Poster for The Misses Stooge

    Party Guest (uncredited)

  • Poster for A Night at the Biltmore Bowl

    Dancer (uncredited)

  • Poster for Doubting Thomas

    Member of Audience

  • Poster for The Daring Young Man

    Wedding Participant

  • Poster for Every Night at Eight

    Huxley Employee (uncredited)

  • Poster for Top Hat

    Elevator Passenger / Hotel Guest / Dancer (uncredited)

  • Poster for Here Comes the Band

    Party Guest at Reunion (uncredited)

  • Poster for It's in the Air

    Announcer / Nightclub Patron (uncredited)

  • Poster for A Feather in Her Hat

    Theatergoer (uncredited)

  • Poster for Personal Maid's Secret

    Dinner Guest

  • Poster for Broadway Hostess

    Donald Ross - Ronnie's Friend (uncredited)

  • Poster for White Lies

    Dinner Guest (uncredited)

1934Aged 26

  • Poster for All of Me

    Policeman (uncredited)

  • Poster for Coming Out Party

    Party Guest

  • Poster for Jimmy the Gent

    Chester Coote (uncredited)

  • Poster for Wonder Bar

    Chorus Boy (uncredited)

  • Poster for Upperworld

    Police Photographer (uncredited)

  • Poster for Murder at the Vanities

    Chorus Boy (uncredited)

  • Poster for Smarty

    Nightclub Patron (uncredited)

  • Poster for Fog Over Frisco

    Van Brugh, Reporter (Uncredited)

  • Poster for He Was Her Man

    Man Leaving Courtroom

  • Poster for We're Rich Again

    Wedding Guest (uncredited)

  • Poster for The Red Rider

    Minor Role

  • Poster for Gift of Gab

    Dancer (uncredited)

  • Poster for Desirable

    Party Guest

  • Poster for A Lost Lady

    Dance Extra (uncredited)

  • Poster for Two Heads on a Pillow

    Night Club Patron (uncredited)

  • Poster for Lady by Choice

    Dance Extra (uncredited)

  • Poster for Everything's Ducky

    Party Guest

  • Poster for Kid Millions

    Chorus Boy in Ship's Show (uncredited)

  • Poster for College Rhythm

    Department Store Doorman

  • Poster for Imitation of Life

    Party Guest (uncredited)

  • Poster for Broadway Bill

    (uncredited)

1933Aged 25

  • Poster for The Woman Accused

    Party Extra (uncredited)

  • Poster for Hello, Everybody!

    Casino Patron (uncredited)

  • Poster for From Hell to Heaven

    Louie - Switchboard Operator (uncredited)

  • Poster for Girl Missing

    Casino Patron (Uncredited)

  • Poster for 42nd Street

    Chorus Boy (uncredited)

  • Poster for The Eagle and the Hawk

    Flier (uncredited)

  • Poster for The Phantom of the Air

    Party Guest (uncredited)

  • Poster for Ann Carver's Profession

    Dinner Party Guest (uncredited)

  • Poster for Gold Diggers of 1933

    Theatregoer (uncredited)

  • Poster for Cocktail Hour

    Party Guest (uncredited)

  • Poster for She Had to Say Yes

    Cabaret Patron (uncredited)

  • Poster for Torch Singer

    Nightclub Patron

  • Poster for Too Much Harmony

    Cafe Patron

  • Poster for I'm No Angel

    Courtroom Reporter (uncredited)

  • Poster for Bombshell

    Nightclub Patron (uncredited)

  • Poster for Only Yesterday

    New Year's Eve Reveler (Uncredited)

  • Poster for Broadway Thru a Keyhole

    Nightclub Dance Extra

  • Poster for The Prizefighter and the Lady

    Nightclub Patron (uncredited)

  • Poster for Duck Soup

    Bridegroom at Firefly's Reception (uncredited)

  • Poster for Blood Money

    Racetrack Spectator (uncredited)

  • Poster for Lady Killer

    Casino Patron (uncredited)

1932Aged 24

  • Poster for Under Eighteen

    Penthouse Party Guest (uncredited)

  • Poster for Love Affair

    One of Carol's Friends at Party (uncredited)

  • Poster for Scarface

    Night Club Patron (uncredited)

  • Poster for Huddle

    Dancer (uncredited)

  • Poster for Merrily We Go to Hell

    Wedding Usher (uncredited)

  • Poster for The Man from Yesterday

    Cafe Patron

  • Poster for Bachelor's Affairs

    Nightclub Patron (uncredited)

  • Poster for Skyscraper Souls

    Stock Brokerage Clerk (Uncredited)

  • Poster for Big City Blues

    Dice Spectator (uncredited)

  • Poster for Blonde Venus

    (uncredited)

  • Poster for The Cabin in the Cotton

    Dance Floor Extra at Madge's Party (uncredited)

  • Poster for A Bill of Divorcement

    Party Guest

  • Poster for Night After Night

    Drunk Sleeping on a Table (uncredited)

  • Poster for I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang

    Café Chateau Dancer (uncredited)

  • Poster for Central Park

    Casino Diner (uncredited)

1931Aged 23

  • Poster for Cimarron

    (uncredited)

  • Poster for Laugh and Get Rich

    Young Man at Dance (uncredited)

  • Poster for The Miracle Woman

    Man in Audience (uncredited)

  • Honeymoon Trio

    Wedding Guest

  • Poster for West of Broadway

    Nightclub Patron (uncredited)

  • Poster for Working Girls

    Dance Extra (uncredited)

1930Aged 22

  • Poster for Reaching for the Moon

    Ship's Party Guest (uncredited)