Edmond O'Brien (1915-1985) was an American film and stage actor, remembered for his versatility and intense performances. He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1955 for his role in *The Barefoot Contessa*.

His film career often saw him playing ordinary men caught up in extraordinary events. A celebrated example of this is his performance in the film noir *D.O.A.* (1950), where a man seeks his own killer. He also appeared in memorable roles in *The Hunchback of Notre Dame* (1939), *Birdman of Alcatraz* (1962), *The Wild Bunch* (1969), and *1984* (1956).

Known for his ability to embody complex characters, often nervous or tormented, O'Brien was a prolific and esteemed character actor, capable of moving with agility from heroic roles to ambiguous figures.