Oscar O'Shea
ActingAbout Oscar O'Shea
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Oscar O'Shea (8 October 1881 – 6 April 1960), born in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, was a Canadian-American character actor with over 100 film appearances from 1937 to 1953. O'Shea was a comic actor who earned a million dollars but lost it all in the Great Depression. His first straight role came in a Federal Theatre Project production of It Can't Happen Here, a play based on the novel of the same name. His first film was Captains Courageous (1937). Beginning in 1929, O'Shea operated the Oscar O'Shea Players repertory theater company in the Embassy Theatre in Ottawa, Canada. He eventually ended the enterprise "to seek a field where his art would be more widely appreciated." He then set up an operation in Chicago, "where he managed his own theatre and stock company during good and bad years." O'Shea died in Hollywood, California in 1960 at age 78.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Oscar O'Shea reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Drama
The majority of Oscar O'Shea's filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 30% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Oscar O'Shea remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in The Roaring Twenties, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Oscar O'Shea Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Oscar O'Shea's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Oscar O'Shea.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1948 | One Sunday Afternoon | Toby | Average | Similar → |
| 1947 | My Wild Irish Rose | Pat Daly | Average | Similar → |
| 1946 | Without Reservations | Conductor (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1945 | Bewitched | Capt. O'Malley | Flop | Similar → |
| 1944 | Mystery of the Riverboat | Capt. Ethan Perrin | Average | Similar → |
| 1944 | Haunted Harbor | John Galbraith [Chs. 1, 7, 15] | Hit | Similar → |
| 1944 | The Mummy's Ghost | Museum Watchman | Average | Similar → |
| 1944 | Her Primitive Man | Jonathan | Average | Similar → |
| 1943 | Happy Land | Father Case (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1943 | Corvette K-225 | Capt. Smith | Average | Similar → |
| 1943 | Two Tickets to London | Mr. Tinkle | Average | Similar → |
| 1942 | Henry Aldrich, Editor | Judge Sanders | Average | Similar → |
| 1942 | Torpedo Boat | Captain Mike | Average | Similar → |
| 1942 | Fly By Night | Pa Prescott | Average | Similar → |
| 1941 | The Tell-Tale Heart | First Deputy Sheriff (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | The Officer and the Lady | Dan Regan | Average | Similar → |
| 1941 | Lydia | Doctor Richards | Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | Blossoms in the Dust | Dr. West | Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | Sleepers West | McGowan, a Engineer | Average | Similar → |
| 1941 | Four Mothers | George Edwards (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1940 | The Phantom Submarine | Captain Velsar | Average | Similar → |
| 1940 | Stranger on the Third Floor | The Judge | Average | Similar → |
| 1940 | Pier 13 | Skipper Kelly | Flop | Similar → |
| 1940 | Susan and God | Samr (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1940 | 20 Mule Team | Train Conductor | Average | Similar → |
| 1940 | Forty Little Mothers | Janitor at Train Station | Average | Similar → |
| 1939 | Of Mice and Men | Jackson | Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | Missing Evidence | John C. 'Pop' Andrews | Flop | Similar → |
| 1939 | The Roaring Twenties | Customer (uncredited) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | Those High Grey Walls | Warden | Average | Similar → |
| 1939 | She Married a Cop | Pa Duffy | Average | Similar → |
| 1939 | Invitation to Happiness | Divorce Judge | Average | Similar → |
| 1939 | S.O.S Tidal Wave | Mike Halloran | Average | Similar → |
| 1939 | Lucky Night | Police Lieutenant | Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | Love Affair | Priest (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | King of the Turf | Bartender | Hit | Similar → |
| 1938 | Angels with Dirty Faces | - | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1938 | The Shining Hour | Charlie Collins | Hit | Similar → |
| 1938 | Campus Cinderella | Horace Howard | Average | Similar → |
| 1938 | Racket Busters | Pop Wilson | Flop | Similar → |
| 1938 | Snow Gets in Your Eyes | Gibson (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1938 | Hold That Kiss | Pop - Man Bringing Usher's Clothes | Hit | Similar → |
| 1938 | International Crime | Heath | Flop | Similar → |
| 1938 | Mannequin | 'Pa' Cassidy | Average | Similar → |
| 1938 | Love Is a Headache | Pop Sheeman, Stage Doorman (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1937 | Rosalie | Mr. Callahan | Average | Similar → |
| 1937 | You're Only Young Once | Sheriff (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1937 | Double Wedding | Turnkey (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1937 | Big City | John C. Andrews | Hit | Similar → |
| 1937 | Captains Courageous | Captain Walt Cushman | Hit | Similar → |
Oscar O'Shea - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Oscar O'Shea?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Oscar O'Shea is "The Roaring Twenties" with a rating of 7.5/10.
How many movies has Oscar O'Shea acted in?
Oscar O'Shea has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Oscar O'Shea?
Other notable films include "Angels with Dirty Faces", "Captains Courageous", and "Big City".