**Arthur O'Connell** (1908-1983) was an American character actor, known for his ability to embody the common man, paternal figures, affectionate uncles, or provincial characters, often with a touch of good-natured grumbling.

He received two Academy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor: for the drunken journalist in *Bus Stop* (1956), alongside Marilyn Monroe, and for co-starring lawyer Peter Biegler in *Anatomy of a Murder* (1959), a role that defined his career.

Other significant roles include *Peyton Place* (1957) and several appearances in Elvis Presley films, where he often portrayed authority figures or reluctant mentors (*Follow That Dream*, *Kissin' Cousins*). O'Connell was a master at bringing authenticity and depth to his secondary roles, making even the most ordinary characters unforgettable.