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Derrick O'Connor

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Derrick O'Connor
Born(1941-01-03)3 January 1941
Dublin, Ireland
Died29 June 2018(2018-06-29) (aged 77)
OccupationActor
Years active1968–2016
Websitederrickoconnor.com

Derrick O'Connor (3 January 1941 – 29 June 2018) was an Irish theatre and character actor who trained at East 15 Acting School, London. [1]

Life and career

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O'Connor was best known for his performance as South African mercenary Pieter Vorstedt in Lethal Weapon 2 and for his roles in three Terry Gilliam films.[2] He also appeared as Jack Stone in the British police drama series The Professionals in the episode "You'll be Alright".[3] Another role was that of Peter Morgan in the series Crown Court (1976). In 1980, he appeared as Ray Fox, in the Thames TV series Fox

O'Connor was a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company.[4]

Gilliam, who directed O'Connor in three films, had noted in his audio commentaries that O'Connor seemed to have a habit of relinquishing most of his dialogue in favour of physical character humour. Notable examples include Time Bandits, in which his character's dialogue was resorted to simple grunts while the Maid Marian character "translated" for him and in Brazil, in which O'Connor scrapped all of his character's dialogue and simply repeated the dialogue of Bob Hoskins' character.[5]

O'Connor died from pneumonia in Santa Barbara, on 29 June 2018, at the age of 77.[6]

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
1971 The Blood on Satan's Claw Member of Mob Chasing Margaret Uncredited
1973 The Final Programme Frank
1974 Butley Irishman in pub Uncredited
1977 Jabberwocky Flying Hogfish Peasant
1978 Sweeney 2 Llewelyn
1978 On a Paving Stone Mounted
1980 Fox Ray Fox TV series
1980 Bloody Kids Detective Ritchie TV movie
1980 Hawk the Slayer Ralf
1981 Time Bandits Robber Leader
1982 The Bell Noel Spens TV series
1982 The Missionary Gym Trainer
1984 Pope John Paul II Swiacki TV movie
1985 Brazil Dowser
1987 Hope and Glory Mac
1989 Lethal Weapon 2 Pieter Vorstedt
1989 Dealers Robby Barrell
1993 Stark Zimmerman TV mini-series, 3 episodes
1994 Felidae Mendel (English dub)
1995 Ghosts Jack Rudkin Episode: " I'll Be Watching You"
1995 How to Make an American Quilt Dean Reed
1998 Deep Rising Captain H.W. Atherton
1999 End of Days Thomas Aquinas
2003 Daredevil Father Everett
2006 Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest Very Old Man
2006 Unrest Walter Blackwell
2007 The Blue Hour Humphrey
2014 Man from Reno Stephen Luft
2016 Pushing Dead Sidewalk Salesman

Television

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List of Derrick O'Connor television series credits
Year Title Role Notes Ref(s)
1982 The Professionals Jack Stone Episode: "You'll Be All Right"
1996 Tracey Takes On... Kay's Father Episode: "Death"
2006 Monk Inspector St. Clare Episode: "Mr. Monk and the Big Reward" [7]
2009 EXIT Stage Left Abe Baynor Web series; 2 episodes [8][9]

References

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  1. ^ "Obituary: Derrick O'Connor, Hollywood hard man who honed his skills on the Edinburgh stage". The Scotsman. Johnston Publishing Ltd. 13 July 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  2. ^ "Derrick O'Connor". BFI. Archived from the original on 22 July 2017.
  3. ^ "You'll Be Alright (1982)". BFI. Archived from the original on 4 May 2019.
  4. ^ McNary, Dave (3 July 2018). "Irish Character Actor Derrick O'Connor Dies at 77". Variety. Penske Business Media, LLC. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
  5. ^ Petski, Denise (3 July 2018). "Derrick O'Connor Dies: 'Lethal Weapon 2', 'End Of Days' Actor Was 77". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media, LLC. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  6. ^ Barnes, Mike (3 July 2018). "Derrick O'Connor, Villain in 'Lethal Weapon 2,' Dies at 77". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
  7. ^ "Mr. Monk and the Big Reward". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  8. ^ Hinojosa, Sinohui (writer and director) (10 May 2009). "A Wonderful World Act I". EXIT Stage Left. Season 1. Episode 10.
  9. ^ Hinojosa, Sinohui (writer and director) (25 May 2009). "A Wonderful World Act I". EXIT Stage Left. Season 1. Episode 11.
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