Denis O'Dea
ActingAbout Denis O'Dea
Denis O'Dea (26 April 1905 – 5 November 1978) was an Irish stage and film actor. He was born in Dublin and attended Synge Street CBS. When very young he and his mother Kathleen (from County Kerry) moved in with her sister, who kept a boarding house at 54 South Richmond Street. He worked in insurance until taking up acting. O'Dea was a leading member of Dublin's Abbey Theatre where he had a great acting career from 1929 to 1953; a list of his performances can be found in the Abbey archives. He also appeared in numerous plays by Irish playwright Teresa Deevy, some of which toured New York and England. His work led to a number of notable film roles, including two mid-1930s John Ford films, The Informer and The Plough and the Stars (1936), and the part of the police inspector in pursuit of IRA man James Mason in Carol Reed's Odd Man Out (1947).
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Denis O'Dea reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 25 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Drama
The majority of Denis O'Dea's filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 44% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Denis O'Dea remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in I Captured the King of the Leprechauns, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Denis O'Dea Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Denis O'Dea's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Denis O'Dea.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | Esther and the King | Mordecai | Flop | Similar → |
| 1960 | Cradle of Genius | Self | Flop | Similar → |
| 1959 | Darby O'Gill and the Little People | Father Murphy | Hit | Similar → |
| 1959 | I Captured the King of the Leprechauns | Father Murphy | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1957 | The Story of Esther Costello | Father Devlin | Hit | Similar → |
| 1957 | The Rising of the Moon | Police Sergeant Tom O'Hara (segment '1921') | Hit | Similar → |
| 1955 | Captain Lightfoot | Regis Donnell | Average | Similar → |
| 1953 | Mogambo | Father Josef | Average | Similar → |
| 1953 | Sea Devils | Lethierry | Average | Similar → |
| 1953 | Niagara | Inspector Starkey | Hit | Similar → |
| 1951 | Never Take No for an Answer | Father Damico | Average | Similar → |
| 1951 | Captain Horatio Hornblower R.N. | RAdm. Sir Rodney Leighton | Hit | Similar → |
| 1951 | The Long Dark Hall | Sir Charles Morton | Average | Similar → |
| 1950 | Treasure Island | Dr. Livesy | Hit | Similar → |
| 1949 | Landfall | Captain Burnaby | Hit | Similar → |
| 1949 | Under Capricorn | Mr. Corrigan | Average | Similar → |
| 1949 | Marry Me | George Saunders | Flop | Similar → |
| 1949 | The Bad Lord Byron | Prosecuting Counsel | Average | Similar → |
| 1948 | The Fallen Idol | Inspector Crowe | Hit | Similar → |
| 1947 | The Mark of Cain | Sir William Godgrey | Average | Similar → |
| 1947 | Odd Man Out | Inspector | Hit | Similar → |
| 1936 | The Plough and the Stars | The Covey | Average | Similar → |
| 1936 | Beloved Enemy | Sean's I.R.A. Friend (Uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1935 | The Informer | Street Singer | Hit | Similar → |
| 1935 | Guests of The Nation | - | Flop | Similar → |
Denis O'Dea - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Denis O'Dea?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Denis O'Dea is "I Captured the King of the Leprechauns" with a rating of 9.0/10.
How many movies has Denis O'Dea acted in?
Denis O'Dea has been featured in at least 25 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Denis O'Dea?
Other notable films include "Odd Man Out", "The Fallen Idol", and "Landfall".