Donald O'Connor

Donald David Dixon Ronald O'Connor (August 28, 1925 – September 27, 2003) was an American dancer, singer and actor. He came to fame in a series of films in which he co-starred with Gloria Jean, Peggy Ryan, and Francis the Talking Mule.

O'Connor was born into a vaudeville family, where he learned to dance, sing, play comedy, even slapstick. The most distinctive characteristic of his dancing style was its athleticism, for which he had few rivals. Yet it was his boyish charm that audiences found most engaging, and which remained an appealing aspect of his personality throughout his career. In his early Universal films, O'Connor closely mimicked the smart alec, fast-talking personality of Mickey Rooney of rival MGM Studio. For Singin' in the Rain, however, MGM cultivated a much more sympathetic sidekick persona, and that remained O'Connor's signature image.

His best-known work was his "Make 'Em Laugh" dance routine in Singin' in the Rain (1952), for which role O'Connor was awarded a Golden Globe. He also won a Primetime Emmy Award from four nominations and received two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Birth and Death Data: Born August 28, 1925 (Chicago), Died September 27, 2003 (Calabasas)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1953 - 1956

Roles Represented in DAHR: vocalist

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 84042 3/3/1953 You're just in love Ethel Merman vocalist  
Decca 84044 3/3/1953 What chance have I with love Donald O'Connor vocalist  
Decca 84045 3/3/1953 Something to dance about Donald O'Connor ; Carol (Carole) Richards vocalist  
Decca 87104 11/29/1954 Lany Dolores Gray ; Donald O'Connor vocalist  
Decca 87107 11/29/1954 Alexander's ragtime band, part 2 Dan Dailey ; Mitzi Gaynor ; Donald O'Connor ; Johnnie Ray vocalist  
Decca 87516 3/8/1955 A man chases a girl Donald O'Connor vocalist  
Decca L 7117 4/6/1953 Crash Donald O'Connor vocalist  
Decca L 7118 4/6/1953 I'm walking behind you Donald O'Connor vocalist  
Decca L 7282 7/17/1953 Unless you're with me Donald O'Connor vocalist  
Decca L 7283 7/17/1953 The biggest bloomin' bumbershoot Donald O'Connor vocalist  
Decca L 7284 7/17/1953 Love is in the air Donald O'Connor vocalist  
Decca L 7285 7/17/1953 Things have changed a lot Donald O'Connor vocalist  
Decca L 7507 12/30/1953 If there's anybody here (from my home town) Bing Crosby ; Donald O'Connor vocalist  
Decca L 8009 11/23/1954 It's a Sunday world Donald O'Connor vocalist  
Decca L 8010 11/23/1954 Here comes Donald Donald O'Connor vocalist  
Decca L 8011 11/23/1954 Christmas Donald O'Connor vocalist  
Decca L 8012 God rest ye merry, gentlemen ; Noel Donald O'Connor vocalist  
Decca L 8046 12/7/1954 Whistle stop Donald O'Connor vocalist  
Decca L 8047 12/7/1954 Doobie dobie love Donald O'Connor vocalist  
Decca L 8048 12/7/1954 Chihuahua choo-choo Donald O'Connor vocalist  
Decca L 9024 3/7/1956 You can bounce right back Donald O'Connor vocalist  
Decca L 9025 3/7/1956 It's de-lovely Mitzi Gaynor ; Donald O'Connor vocalist  
Decca L 9026 3/7/1956 Ya gotta give the people hoke Bing Crosby ; Donald O'Connor vocalist  
Decca L 9027 3/7/1956 Blow Gabriel blow Bing Crosby ; Mitzi Gaynor ; Zizi Jeanmaire ; Donald O'Connor vocalist  
Decca L 9028 3/7/1956 A second hand turban and a ; crystal ball Bing Crosby ; Donald O'Connor vocalist  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "O'Connor, Donald," accessed March 29, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/108039.

O'Connor, Donald. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved March 29, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/108039.

"O'Connor, Donald." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 29 March 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/108039

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