HUGH O'BRIAN

Born on April 19, 1923, in Rochester, NY, actor and philanthropist Hugh O'Brian showed off his athletic prowess quite early. By the time he graduated from high school, he had lettered in football, basketball, wrestling and track. Originally pursuing law, he dropped out college and enlisted in the Marine Corps. He became the youngest Drill Instructor in Marine Corps' history. Upon his honorable discharge he ended up in Los Angeles.

Hugh joined a little theater group where he developed his acting chops and slowly built up his résumé. He was discovered Ida Lupino who opened the door to his signing with Universal Studios where he did 20 films. He did 3 films for Republic Studios, BUCKAROO SHERIFF OF TEXAS and FIGHTING COAST GUARD in 1951. In 1955 he starred in THE TWINKLE IN GOD'S EYE with Coleen Gray and Mickey Rooney.

He is remembered for the starring role in the hit TV series THE LIFE AND LEGEND OF WYATT EARP. During his six-year run on the western classic, he managed to show off his singing talents on variety shows and appeared on Broadway.

A sports enthusiast, his hobbies have included sailing, tennis, swimming and long-distance bicycling and his many philanthropic efforts have not gone unrecognized. His proudest achievement is the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY), which he founded in 1958 after spending considerable time with Dr. Albert Schweitzer and his clinic in Africa. Struck by the impassioned work being done by Schweitzer, O'Brian set up his own program to help develop young people into future leaders. Over 365,000 young people have gone through HOBY's leadership development programs.

The perennial bachelor finally "settled down" and tied the knot at age 81 with long-time companion Virginia Barber. He is at this time working on an autobiography.

"I believe every person is created as the steward of his or her own destiny, with great power for a specific purpose; to share with others, through service, a reverence for life in a spirit of love.” - Hugh O'Brian

REPUBLIC FILM CREDITS

1951
Buckaroo Sheriff of Texas
Fighting Coast Guard
1955
The Twinkle in God’s Eye