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William H. O'Brien

William H. O'Brien

Actor · Died April 18, 1981, aged 89 · Peak Hill, New South Wales, Australia

Australian born William H. O'Brien began his screen acting career in Australia in 1918, then resumed in Hollywood in 1921. He continued acting in films and television series to 1971.

Biography from TMDB.

Born
July 19, 1891
Died
April 18, 1981 (aged 89)
From
Peak Hill, New South Wales, Australia
Works as
Actor
Titles
195 on Motif · 301 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 39 days to Oct 28Down 24% in 30 days

What are William H. O'Brien's films like?

Across their 9 Motif titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Bonds.

Genres

Comedy4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 47th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 34th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Musical2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 45th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Musical movies

Their Motif films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Self
39%
Bonds
26%
Morality
22%
Power
6%
Society
6%
Romantic love5 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth5 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception3 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 9 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 8 · Serious 0 · Dark 1

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 4 · Stylized 4 · Heightened 1

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 6 · Charged 2 · Intense 1

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 5 · Shifting 4 · Whiplash 0

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 2 · Some laughs 4 · Funny 3

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

A split, not a type: Slow burn 5 · Even-paced 3 · Relentless 1

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 6 · Engaged 3 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 9 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 0

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Joyful
5
Romantic
4
Hopeful
3
Tense
3
Warm
3
Other
7

How their films linger

Feel-good6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end

  • Happy6
  • Bittersweet3

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch William H. O'Brien's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 64 of their 195 Motif titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (40).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for William H. O'Brien's titles on Motif; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

301 credits, 195 with a Motif page.

  • The Todd Killings(1971)

    as Mr. Miller (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Bedknobs and Broomsticks(1971)

    as Portobello Road Passerby (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Support Your Local Gunfighter(1971)

    as Old Chess Player (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Rio Lobo(1970)

    as Man in Army Post Saloon (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Airport(1970)

    as Waiter at Men's Club

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Topaz(1969)

    as Butler (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • The Comic(1969)

    as Funeral Guest (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • The Trouble with Girls(1969)

    as Hotel Lobby Extra (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Valley of the Dolls(1967)

    as Bartender (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • The Graduate(1967)

    as Hotel Guest (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • One of Our Spies Is Missing(1966)

    as The Butler (archive footage) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Not with My Wife, You Don't!(1966)

    as Waiter at Officer's Ball (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Munster, Go Home!(1966)

    as Man at Customs (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Gunpoint(1966)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Get Smart(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as Scientist (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Laredo (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as Townsman (uncredited)

  • The Man from U.N.C.L.E.(1964)

    Show 1 episode · as Butler (uncredited) · as Grandpa

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Bewitched(1964)

    Show 1 episode · as Waiter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • The Wheeler Dealers(1963)

    as Waiter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Critic's Choice(1963)

    as Audience Member (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • To Kill a Mockingbird(1962)

    as Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Gypsy(1962)

    as Audience Member (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Pressure Point(1962)

    as Bund Meeting Spectator

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • The Children's Hour(1961)

    as Funeral Assistant (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Judgment at Nuremberg(1961)

    as German Prisoner in Cafeteria (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Dr. Kildare (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · as Patient (uncredited)

  • King of the Roaring 20's: The Story of Arnold Rothstein(1961)

    as Waiter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Outlaws (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 1 episode · as Waiter (uncredited)

  • Ocean's Eleven(1960)

    as Waiter at Burlesque Club (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Elmer Gantry(1960)

    as Train Conductor

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Who Was That Lady?(1960)

    as Passenger Exiting Elevator (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Toby Tyler or Ten Weeks with a Circus(1960)

    as Circus Spectator

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • The Story on Page One(1959)

    as Courtroom Reporter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Pillow Talk(1959)

    as Nightclub Waiter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • The Twilight Zone(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Audience Member (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Bonanza(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Delegate (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • Cry Tough(1959)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • Some Like It Hot(1959)

    as Hotel Guest (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Rawhide (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Bartender (uncredited) · as Waiter (uncredited)

  • The Last Hurrah(1958)

    as Man (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Murder by Contract(1958)

    as Hotel Take-Out Delivery Man (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Home Before Dark(1958)

    as Waiter at Christmas Party

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Money, Women and Guns(1958)

    as Hotel Desk Clerk (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Wanted: Dead or Alive (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1958)

    Show 1 episode · as Waiter (uncredited)

  • Witness for the Prosecution(1957)

    as Barrister (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • The Pied Piper of Hamelin(1957)

    as Townsman (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • I Was a Teenage Frankenstein(1957)

    as Rooming House Boarder (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Bombers B-52(1957)

    as Nightclub Bartender (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Zero Hour!(1957)

    as Nightclub Waiter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • The Helen Morgan Story(1957)

    as Surprise Party Guest (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • The Joker Is Wild(1957)

    as Nightclub Patron (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films

  • Perry Mason(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as Bartender (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Have Gun, Will Travel (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as Crommer Party Guest (uncredited) · as Hotel Guest (uncredited)

  • Carnival Rock (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1957)

    as Onlooker at Fire (uncredited)

  • Chicago Confidential (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1957)

    as Dixon's Valet (uncredited)

  • Sweet Smell of Success(1957)

    as Waiter at 21 (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • The Unholy Wife(1957)

    as Juror (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Designing Woman(1957)

    as Party Guest (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • The Tattered Dress (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1957)

    as Juror (uncredited)

  • Around the World in 80 Days(1956)

    as Extra (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • The Harder They Fall(1956)

    as Ringsider (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Anything Goes (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1956)

    as Waiter (uncredited)

  • There's Always Tomorrow(1956)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • The Square Jungle (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1955)

    Actor

  • Sincerely Yours(1955)

    as Nightclub Waiter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Illegal(1955)

    as Butler (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Alfred Hitchcock Presents(1955)

    Show 1 episode · as Guest At Demonstration (uncredited) · as Juror (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Cheyenne(1955)

    Show 1 episode · as Riverboat Bartender (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · as Townsman (uncredited)

  • It's Always Fair Weather(1955)

    as Waiter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films

  • The Seven Year Itch(1955)

    as Man at Train Station (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Daddy Long Legs(1955)

    as Hotel Waiter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy(1955)

    as Townsman (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • New York Confidential (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1955)

    Actor

  • Abbott and Costello Meet the Keystone Kops(1955)

    as Movie Patron (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Battle Cry(1955)

    as Bartender (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Désirée(1954)

    as Servant (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • A Star Is Born(1954)

    as Academy Awards Attendee (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Woman's World (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1954)

    as Servant

  • The Bounty Hunter(1954)

    as Saloon Waiter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Sabrina(1954)

    as Bartender (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • The High and the Mighty(1954)

    as Restaurant Cook

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Dial M for Murder(1954)

    as Waiter at Stag Dinner (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • The Far Country(1954)

    as Townsman (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Gentlemen Prefer Blondes(1953)

    as Ship Passenger (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Julius Caesar(1953)

    as Senator (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Fort Ti (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1953)

    as Bartender

  • Trouble Along the Way(1953)

    as Bartender Joe

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • The Bad and the Beautiful(1952)

    as Waiter at Party (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • The Star(1952)

    as Waiter at Party (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Horizons West(1952)

    as Barfly (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Carrie(1952)

    as Waiter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • High Noon(1952)

    as Church Member (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Hong Kong(1952)

    as Observer at Scene (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Something to Live For(1952)

    as Waiter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Superman and the Mole-Men(1951)

    as Townsman (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • The Strange Door(1951)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Bannerline (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1951)

    Actor

  • Iron Man(1951)

    as Waiter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • A Streetcar Named Desire(1951)

    as Waiter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Ace in the Hole(1951)

    as Customer at Minosa's (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • He Ran All the Way(1951)

    as Man Entering Apt. Building (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • A Place in the Sun(1951)

    as Servant at Eastman's Party (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Hollywood Story (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1951)

    as Café Waiter (uncredited)

  • On the Riviera (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1951)

    as Waiter at Party (uncredited)

  • Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet the Invisible Man(1951)

    as Fight Spectator (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • M (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1951)

    as Policeman (uncredited)

  • Frenchie(1950)

    as Townsman (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Let's Dance(1950)

    as Waiter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • All About Eve(1950)

    as Waiter at Margo's Party (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Shakedown (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1950)

    as Waiter (uncredited)

  • The Men(1950)

    as Nightclub Waiter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Louisa (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1950)

    as Waiter (uncredited)

  • Father of the Bride(1950)

    as Waiter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • The Damned Don't Cry(1950)

    as Waiter at Party (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films

  • Ma and Pa Kettle Go to Town(1950)

    as Waiter at Party (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Woman in Hiding (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1950)

    as Conventioneer (uncredited)

  • Miss Grant Takes Richmond(1949)

    as Waiter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Alias the Champ (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1949)

    as Audience Spectator (uncredited)

  • Once More, My Darling(1949)

    as Waiter

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • It's a Great Feeling(1949)

    as Saloon Waiter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Special Agent(1949)

    as Barber's Customer (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • The Doolins of Oklahoma(1949)

    as Bartender (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Bud Abbott Lou Costello Meet the Killer Boris Karloff(1949)

    as Room Service Waiter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Johnny Allegro (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1949)

    Actor

  • Flamingo Road(1949)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • You Gotta Stay Happy(1948)

    as Waiter (Uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Sorry, Wrong Number(1948)

    as Waiter at Wedding Reception (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Race Street (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1948)

    as Racetrack Spectator (uncredited)

  • Jungle Goddess (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1948)

    as Bartender (uncredited)

  • I Walk Alone(1947)

    as Waiter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Daisy Kenyon(1947)

    as Bartender at Stork Club (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Road to Rio (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1947)

    as Ship's Waiter (uncredited)

  • Body and Soul(1947)

    as Bartender (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • The Unsuspected(1947)

    as Servant with Tray (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • The Wistful Widow of Wagon Gap(1947)

    as Card Dealer (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Ivy (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1947)

    as Barrister (uncredited)

  • The Private Affairs of Bel Ami(1947)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • It Happened on Fifth Avenue(1947)

    as Executive (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Undercover Maisie(1947)

    as Nightclub Waiter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • The Best Years of Our Lives(1946)

    as Nightclub Waiter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Undercurrent(1946)

    as Waiter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Nobody Lives Forever(1946)

    as Waiter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • The Verdict(1946)

    as Constable (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Angel on My Shoulder(1946)

    as Court Spectator (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • The Big Sleep(1946)

    as Waiter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • The Time of Their Lives(1946)

    as Danbury Servant (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Canyon Passage(1946)

    as Miner (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Two Sisters from Boston(1946)

    as Recording Lab Assistant (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Dressed to Kill(1946)

    as Detective at Murder Scene

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Do You Love Me(1946)

    as Waiter at Mindy's (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • She-Wolf of London(1946)

    as Constable (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • The Hoodlum Saint (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1946)

    as Waiter at Wedding Brunch (uncredited)

  • The Tiger Woman (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1945)

    as Waiter (uncredited)

  • Fallen Angel(1945)

    as Bus Passenger (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Kitty (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1945)

    as Coach Footman (uncredited)

  • Lady on a Train(1945)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • The Naughty Nineties (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1945)

    as Troupe Member (uncredited)

  • The Woman in Green(1945)

    as Pembrook House Waiter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Hollywood Scout (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1945)

    as Man with Chimpanzee (uncredited)

  • The Picture of Dorian Gray(1945)

    as Footman (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • A Song to Remember(1945)

    as Guest at Salon Concert (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • The Thin Man Goes Home(1944)

    as Train Passenger (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • The Climax(1944)

    as Audience Member (Uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • In Society (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1944)

    as Party Waiter (uncredited)

  • Christmas Holiday (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1944)

    as Waiter (uncredited)

  • The Bridge of San Luis Rey (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1944)

    as Servant Peeking in Keyhole (uncredited)

  • The Spider Woman(1943)

    as Doorman (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Government Girl(1943)

    as Man in Hotel Lobby (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Swing Shift Maisie (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1943)

    as Courtroom Spectator (Uncredited)

  • So Proudly We Hail!(1943)

    as Troop Ship Survivor (Uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Action in the North Atlantic(1943)

    as Lieutenant-Commander at Meeting (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • The Leopard Man(1943)

    as Bartender (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • No Time for Love(1943)

    as Nightclub Waiter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Margin for Error (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1943)

    as Waiter

  • Tomorrow We Live (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1942)

    Actor

  • Maisie Gets Her Man(1942)

    as Detective Taking in Hixby (Uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • The Falcon Takes Over(1942)

    as Nightclub Waiter (Uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Take a Letter, Darling(1942)

    as Waiter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Brooklyn Orchid(1942)

    as Waiter at Party

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Lady for a Night(1942)

    as King's Club Worker (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Ball of Fire(1941)

    as Baseball Game Spectator (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Keep 'Em Flying(1941)

    as Waiter at Manila Club (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Niagara Falls (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1941)

    as Waiter (uncredited)

  • The Blonde from Singapore (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1941)

    Actor

  • The Feminine Touch (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1941)

    as Nightclub Waiter (uncredited)

  • It Started with Eve(1941)

    as Nightclub Waiter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Million Dollar Baby (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1941)

    Actor

  • Citizen Kane(1941)

    as Secretary (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Pot o' Gold(1941)

    as Country Club Waiter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Topper Returns(1941)

    as Second Butler (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Love Thy Neighbor (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1940)

    as Nightclub Waiter

  • One Night in the Tropics(1940)

    as Joe, Club Roscoe Waiter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Mexican Spitfire Out West (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1940)

    as Waiter

  • Hit Parade of 1941 (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1940)

    as Waiter

  • City for Conquest(1940)

    as Waiter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • No Time for Comedy(1940)

    as Waiter in Bar (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • Hired Wife (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1940)

    as Waiter

  • Captain Caution (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1940)

    as English Sailor Who Pleads for Water

  • Buck Benny Rides Again (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1940)

    as Waiter

  • Turnabout (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1940)

    as Nightclub Waiter (uncredited)

  • Edison, the Man(1940)

    as Waiter

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Forty Little Mothers (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1940)

    as Waiter

  • Curtain Call (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1940)

    as Waiter Bringing Caviar

  • Rebecca(1940)

    as Hotel Waiter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • The Showdown (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1940)

    as Bald Bartender

  • A Chump at Oxford(1940)

    as Man in Unemployment Office (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • City of Chance (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1940)

    as Waiter

  • The Earl of Chicago(1940)

    as Turnkey (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Remember? (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1939)

    as Waiter (uncredited)

  • Zorro's Fighting Legion(1939)

    as Legionnaire

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • That's Right – You're Wrong (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1939)

    as Lawn Party Waiter (Uncredited)

  • Eternally Yours(1939)

    as Nightclub Waiter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • Honeymoon in Bali (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1939)

    as Doorman (uncredited)

  • Girl from Rio (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1939)

    as Condor Club Headwaiter

  • The Man in the Iron Mask(1939)

    as Servant

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Stronger Than Desire (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1939)

    as Waiter (uncredited)

  • The Gracie Allen Murder Case(1939)

    as Nightclub Waiter

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • The Rage of Paris(1938)

    as Nightclub Bartender (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Test Pilot(1938)

    as Waiter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • In Old Chicago(1938)

    as Senate Waiter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Gold Is Where You Find It(1938)

    as Butler at Party (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • The Big Broadcast of 1938(1938)

    as Reporter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Wells Fargo(1937)

    as Headwaiter

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • The Firefly(1937)

    as Waiter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Dance Charlie Dance (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1937)

    as Bored Spectator (uncredited)

  • North of the Rio Grande (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1937)

    as Bald Saloon Waiter

  • Larceny on the Air (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1937)

    as Nightclub Waiter (uncredited)

  • Sinner Take All (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1936)

    as Nightclub Waiter (uncredited)

  • Sing, Baby, Sing(1936)

    as Nightclub Waiter

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • San Francisco(1936)

    as Waiter at Chicken's Ball (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Special Investigator (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1936)

    as Nightclub Waiter

  • Champagne Charlie (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1936)

    as Extra as Ship Waiter

  • The Country Doctor (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1936)

    as Waiter in Restaurant (uncredited)

  • The Walking Dead(1936)

    as Juror (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • To Beat the Band (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1935)

    as Waiter

  • A Night at the Opera(1935)

    as Stagehand (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • The Old Homestead (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1935)

    as Waiter (uncredited)

  • His Family Tree (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1935)

    as Man at Mayoral Debate

  • The Gay Deception(1935)

    as Waiter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Diamond Jim (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1935)

    as Waiter

  • The Arizonian (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1935)

    as Waiter in Opera House

  • Vagabond Lady (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1935)

    as Waiter (uncredited)

  • Go Into Your Dance(1935)

    as Casino de Paree Waiter

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • The Misses Stooge (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1935)

    as The Butler (uncredited)

  • Shadow of Doubt (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1935)

    as Waiter

  • Bulldog Drummond Strikes Back(1934)

    as Banquet Servant

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Bachelor Bait(1934)

    as Waiter #2 (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Hollywood Mystery(1934)

    as Tony's Butler

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Thin Man(1934)

    as Bartender (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Long Lost Father (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1934)

    as Waiter Getting Carl to Telephone

  • Big Time Or Bust (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1933)

    as Hammond's Butler (uncredited)

  • Only Yesterday (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1933)

    as Nightclub Waiter (Uncredited)

  • Midnight Mary (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1933)

    as Nightclub Waiter (uncredited)

  • Ex-Lady(1933)

    as Butler (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Hallelujah, I'm a Bum (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1933)

    as Waiter (uncredited)

  • The Half-Naked Truth(1932)

    as Hotel Waiter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Faithless (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1932)

    as Croupier

  • Movie Crazy (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1932)

    as Waiter (Uncredited)

  • Pack Up Your Troubles(1932)

    as Butler (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films

  • Red-Headed Woman(1932)

    as Waiter at Gaerste Party (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Merrily We Go to Hell(1932)

    as Waiter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Scarface(1932)

    as Waiter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • The Wet Parade (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1932)

    as Saloon Waiter (uncredited)

  • Emma(1932)

    as Man (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • West of Broadway(1931)

    as Waiter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Forgotten Women (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1931)

    as Sleek's Butler

  • The Guilty Generation (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1931)

    as Victor - Mike's Butler

  • The Road to Reno(1931)

    as Waiter

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Monkey Business(1931)

    as Waiter

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • The Phantom of Paris (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1931)

    as Chéri-Bibi's Valet (uncredited)

  • Five and Ten (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1931)

    as Duncan (uncredited)

  • Smart Money(1931)

    as Nick's Chauffeur Bill (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • The Sky Raiders (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1931)

    as Henchman Conte

  • Daybreak (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1931)

    as Bartender

  • Ladies' Man (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1931)

    as Elevator starter

  • Men Call It Love (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1931)

    as Brooks' Butler (uncredited)

  • Dirigible(1931)

    as Sailor (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Little Caesar(1931)

    as Waiter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films

  • Reaching for the Moon(1930)

    as Servant Telling Larry London is Calling (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • New Moon (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1930)

    as Waiter at Ball

  • Sin Takes a Holiday (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1930)

    as Waiter at Royal Club (uncredited)

  • Playboy of Paris(1930)

    as Nightclub Waiter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Anybody's Woman (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1930)

    as Butler

  • Let Us Be Gay(1930)

    as Struthers - 2nd Butler (as William O'Brien)

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Strictly Unconventional (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1930)

    as Footman

  • Children of Pleasure (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1930)

    as Party Butler #2 (uncredited)

  • Anna Christie(1930)

    as Waiter at Coney Island (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Street of Chance (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1930)

    as Waiter (uncredited)

  • The Trespasser (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1929)

    as Butler (uncredited)

  • A Woman of Affairs(1928)

    as Man Peering Into Room (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Submarine (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1928)

    as Nightclub Waiter (uncredited)

  • The Racket (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1928)

    as Detective Frisking Nick

  • Captain Swagger (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1928)

    as Waiter

  • The Singing Fool (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1928)

    as Waiter at Blackie Joe's (uncredited)

  • The Mysterious Lady (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1928)

    as Cafe Waiter Serving Wine (uncredited)

  • The Patsy(1928)

    as Waiter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • While the City Sleeps (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1928)

    as Apartment Tenant

  • The Mad Whirl (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1925)

    Actor

  • The Blot (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1921)

    as College Student (uncredited)

  • The Delicious Little Devil (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1919)

    as Waiter (uncredited)

Career shape

Star power in the 96th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 301 titles from 1919 to 1971; peak year 1960.

Highest rated

The Patsy (1928)

Midcredits 91st

Most popular right now

The Pied Piper of Hamelin (1957)

Film career

19191971

Peak 1960 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 1 Motif title. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting301 of 301: 301 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score71st

By decade

1910s1 · acting1920s11 · acting1930s80 · acting1940s92 · acting1950s85 · acting1960s27 · acting1970s5 · acting

Billing

usually 21st · top billed in 0% of 56 roles
213136465156

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on Motif, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do William H. O'Brien's films land?

Their typical Motif film has a Midcredits score in the 71st percentile, the median of all 187; across their 9 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 44th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

44thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 9

Approval · how many liked their films

48thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 9

Reach · how many have seen their films

33rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 9

Midcredits score across 195 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up87
  • 50th to 74th70
  • 25th to 49th29
  • Below 25th9

Shape of the crowd

114 of their 195 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved40
  • Universally Panned1
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser114
  • Broadly Agreed20
  • Mixed19

Most divisive · actor

Sincerely Yours (1955)

71st percentile spread · 31% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Witness for the Prosecution (1957)

Midcredits 99th · 92% liked

Reviewers score the acting 69/100 in their films, across 9 reviewed titles; fans 79, detractors 50. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on Motif; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their Motif titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does William H. O'Brien work with?

People who share at least 2 of William H. O'Brien's Motif titles, grouped by what they did on them; Marie Dressler shares the most, 3.

Writers

Actors

Editors

Producers