Donald oconnor biography part one life

“The O’Connor”

Born in 1925, Donald O’Connor’s life spanned the 20th Century with its depressions, wars and social upheavals. Unfortunately for the O’Connor family, world events often coincided with terrible personal losses, requiring Donald to assume adult responsibilities at a very young age.

Perhaps the flip side of being so responsible was the sheer joy of being ridiculous on stage. Bob Hope described the high of performing as “you kind of bubble inside” [Pioneers of Primetime, PBS]. O’Connor must have lived most of his life close to a boil.

I loved those years on the road.

Donald oconnor biography part one life

Donald oconnor biography part one life

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I loved fooling around in front of the audience. I worked very hard. I knew the harder I worked, the more laughs and the more applause I got…and that was my thing. That’s what I was there for. And I really lived to do just that.

– – Donald O’Connor [Frank 152]

He made it look so easy.

Gene Kelly dubbed him “The O&#