Dennis O'Keefe
ActingAbout Dennis O'Keefe
Dennis O'Keefe (March 29, 1908 – August 31, 1968) was an American actor. He was the son of Irish vaudevillians working in the United States. As a small child he joined his parents' act and later wrote skits for the stage. O'Keefe started in films as an extra in the early 1930s. After a small but impressive role in Saratoga, Clark Gable recommended O'Keefe to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, which signed him to a contract in 1937. His film roles were bigger after that, starting with The Bad Man of Brimstone and Burn 'Em Up O'Connor. O'Keefe left MGM around 1940 but continued to work in mostly lower budget productions. In the 1950s he did some directing, wrote mystery stories and by the mid-1950s found work on television shows such as Justice, The Martha Raye Show, The Ford Show as well as his own series The Dennis O'Keefe Show.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Dennis O'Keefe reveals a career defined by exceptional commercial consistency. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Drama
The majority of Dennis O'Keefe'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 100% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Dennis O'Keefe remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Dennis O'Keefe Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Dennis O'Keefe's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Dennis O'Keefe.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | All Hands on Deck | Brian O'Gara | Hit | Similar → |
| 1957 | Dragoon Wells Massacre | Capt. Matt Riordan | Hit | Similar → |
| 1950 | Woman on the Run | Dan Legget | Hit | Similar → |
| 1949 | Cover Up | Sam Donovan | Hit | Similar → |
| 1948 | Raw Deal | Joe Sullivan | Hit | Similar → |
| 1947 | T-Men | Dennis O'Brien / Vannie Harrigan | Hit | Similar → |
| 1946 | Her Adventurous Night | Bill Fry | Hit | Similar → |
| 1945 | Brewster's Millions | Montague L. 'Monty' Brewster | Hit | Similar → |
| 1943 | The Leopard Man | Jerry Manning | Hit | Similar → |
| 1943 | Hangmen Also Die! | Jan Horak | Hit | Similar → |
| 1940 | La Conga Nights | Steve Collins | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | The Kid From Texas | William Quincy | Hit | Similar → |
| 1938 | Hold That Kiss | Tommy Bradford | Hit | Similar → |
| 1938 | A Yank at Oxford | Racetrack Handler (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1937 | One Mile from Heaven | Party Guest | Hit | Similar → |
| 1937 | Easy Living | Office Manager (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1937 | Captains Courageous | Bit Role (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1937 | Make Way for Tomorrow | Nightclub Patron (uncredited) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1937 | A Star Is Born | Burke's Party Guest (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1937 | History Is Made at Night | Restaurant Patron (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1936 | Theodora Goes Wild | Man (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1936 | Libeled Lady | Barker at Charity Affair (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1936 | Fury | Reporter (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1936 | Show Boat | - | Hit | Similar → |
| 1936 | Mr. Deeds Goes to Town | Courtroom Reporter (uncredited) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1936 | Strike Me Pink | Club Lido Patron (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1935 | A Feather in Her Hat | Theatergoer (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1935 | Top Hat | Elevator Passenger / Hotel Guest / Dancer (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1935 | Every Night at Eight | Huxley Employee (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1935 | Doubting Thomas | Member of Audience | Hit | Similar → |
| 1935 | Mississippi | Party Guest (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1935 | The Gilded Lily | Nightclub Extra (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1934 | Imitation of Life | Party Guest (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1934 | Kid Millions | Chorus Boy in Ship's Show (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1934 | Desirable | Party Guest | Hit | Similar → |
| 1933 | Lady Killer | Casino Patron (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1933 | Blood Money | Racetrack Spectator (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1933 | Duck Soup | Bridegroom at Firefly's Reception (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1933 | Only Yesterday | New Year's Eve Reveler (Uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1933 | Bombshell | Nightclub Patron (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1933 | Gold Diggers of 1933 | Theatregoer (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1933 | The Eagle and the Hawk | Flier (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1933 | 42nd Street | Chorus Boy (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1933 | From Hell to Heaven | Louie - Switchboard Operator (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1932 | I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang | Café Chateau Dancer (uncredited) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1932 | Blonde Venus | (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1932 | Huddle | Dancer (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1932 | Scarface | Night Club Patron (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1931 | Working Girls | Dance Extra (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1931 | The Miracle Woman | Man in Audience (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
Dennis O'Keefe - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Dennis O'Keefe?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Dennis O'Keefe is "I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang" with a rating of 7.8/10.
How many movies has Dennis O'Keefe acted in?
Dennis O'Keefe has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Dennis O'Keefe?
Other notable films include "Make Way for Tomorrow", "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town", and "La Conga Nights".