Maria O’Brien, Actress and Acting Coach, Dies at 75
Maria O’Brien, an actress known for roles in Protocol and Matlock, and a longtime acting coach on Days of Our Lives, died on February 24, 2024, at the age of 75. The cause of death has not been publicly released.
Early Life and Family
Born on August 14, 1950, in Los Angeles, California, O’Brien came from a prominent Hollywood family. Her father was Academy Award-winning actor Edmond O’Brien, and her mother was musical comedy star Olga San Juan.
Acting Career
O’Brien began her onscreen career in 1963 with a role in the television series Sam Benedict. She continued to appear in numerous television shows throughout her career, including Viva Valdez, The Love Boat, CHiPs, Magnum, P.I., L.A. Law, and Matlock. Her film credits include Protocol (1984), starring Goldie Hawn and Chris Sarandon, as well as Smile, Good Luck, Promised a Miracle, The Incredible Shrinking Woman, Table for Five, False Arrest, and In Sickness and in Health.
Throughout her career, O’Brien shared the screen with notable actors such as Melanie Griffith, Lily Tomlin, Angela Lansbury, and Tom Selleck.
Acting Coach
In addition to her acting work, O’Brien dedicated a significant portion of her career to coaching actors. She worked as an acting coach on the daytime dramas Sunset Beach and Passions, and then spent 15 years as an acting coach on Days of Our Lives, retiring from that role in 2022.
Stage Work and Advocacy
O’Brien also had a presence in theater, winning a Drama-Logue award for her performance in The Maids by Jean Genet at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles.
Her father, Edmond O’Brien, was one of the first celebrities to publicly discuss his diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. In 1983, Maria O’Brien testified before Congress about the impact of the disease, playing a role in securing government funding for Alzheimer’s research.
Survivors
Maria O’Brien is survived by her brother, actor Brendan O’Brien; three children, James Anderson, Danica Anderson, and Sean Anderson; and her sister, Bridget O’Brien Adelman.