Hollywood Legend Joan O’Brien Dies at 89 After Alzheimer’s Battle
Joan O’Brien, the Hollywood actress known for her roles with Elvis and John Wayne, has passed away at 89 after battling Alzheimer’s. Her daughter confirmed the news. Over her career, she starred in several notable films and had a successful stint in television before stepping away to raise her family.
Joan O’Brien, the Hollywood star best known for her roles alongside icons like Elvis Presley and John Wayne, has passed away at 89, her family announced. While she departed this world on May 5, the news has only just come to light. Her daughter, Melissa, reached out to the Hollywood Reporter to confirm the sad news.
O’Brien’s career spanned several decades, during which she starred with some big names. In 1959, she charmed audiences alongside Cary Grant in “Operation Petticoat.” This came after her debut as Dean Jones’s love interest in the 1958 drama “Handle With Care.”
Most notably, she played Elvis’s love interest in the 1963 film “It Happened at the World’s Fair.” In this whimsical tale, O’Brien portrayed a nurse who helps Elvis’s character after a cheeky boy gives him a kick. They share a romantic dinner atop the Space Needle, sprinkling a little magic on the Seattle skyline.
O’Brien’s credits don’t stop there. As a contract player for MGM, she also shared the screen with John Wayne in the 1960 epic “The Alamo” and teamed up with Jerry Lewis in the 1962 comedy “It’s Only Money.”
Her journey in the entertainment world began on a local show called “Hometown Jamboree,” hosted by country singer Cliffie Stone. With her high school diploma in hand, she seamlessly transitioned to a four-year gig on “The Bob Crosby Show.”
Fans might remember her from a memorable 1963 episode of “The Dick Van Dyke Show,” where she played an ambitious friend of Rob Van Dyke’s character. Her character’s arrival stirs up some envy in Laura, played by the beloved Mary Tyler Moore.
In a quirky twist, O’Brien was voted “most likely to wed” Robert Vaughn, the star from “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.,” back in 1963, and she actually appeared on his show in 1964. Her last flick, “Get Yourself a College Girl,” was released in the same year, featuring Nancy Sinatra.
After her time in the spotlight, O’Brien chose to step away from show business to raise her two children, later carving out a successful career as an executive with the Hilton Hotel chain. Her personal life was a bit of a whirlwind, with brief marriages to musician Billy Strange, NBC executive John Meyers, dancer Harvey Allen, and artist Dino Kotopoulis, all of which ended in divorce. Ultimately, she found lasting love with retired military officer Malcolm Bernard Campbell in 1979, until his passing in 2004.
Joan O’Brien may have left us, but her legacy lives on in the hearts of many who enjoyed her performances on the big screen. From sharing the stage with Elvis to helping shape the entertainment industry, her contributions won’t be forgotten easily. Remembering her not just for her talent, but for the warmth and charm she brought to all her roles.
Original Source: www.express.co.uk
