Acting

Maria O'Brien

Born August 14, 1950 · Los Angeles, California, USA

Died February 24, 2026 · aged 75

Maria O'Brien (August 14, 1950 – February 24, 2026) was an American actress and acting coach. She was the daughter of actors Edmond O'Brien and Olga San Juan, and sister of voice actor Brendan O'Brien. She was best known as a character actress, but she also had a recurring role on a few television series, such as Ave 43 and The Life and Times of Eddie Roberts. She was also an acting coach on soap …

Known For

The Incredible Shrinking Woman

The Incredible Shrinking Woman · 1981

The Incredible Shrinking Woman

MovieComedyFamily

After being exposed to a bizarre mixture of household chemicals, Pat Kramer begins to shrink. This baffles scientists, makes parenting difficult, warms the hearts of Americans, and captures the attention of a group of people who want to take over the world. This evil group plots to kidnap Pat and perform experiments on her so that they can eventually shrink everyone.

Smile

It's time again for California's "Young American Miss" beauty pageant, the biggest event of the year for Big Bob Freelander and Brenda DiCarlo, who give their all to put on a successful pageant. But Brenda is having marital difficulties and Bob's son is up to some mischief. Could this year's pageant be in jeopardy?

In a Stranger's Hand

In a Stranger's Hand · 1991

In a Stranger's Hand

MovieDramaThriller

Jack Bauer, a workaholic businessman, accidentally gets involved in a case of child kidnapping when he returns a doll found in the subway.

Protocol

Protocol · 1984

A Washington waitress saves the Emir of Ohtar's life, launching her diplomatic career and a scandal.

The Choirboys

The Choirboys · 1977

MovieComedyCrime

A group of Los Angeles cops decide to take off some of the pressures of their jobs by engaging in various forms of after-hours debauchery.

In the Best Interest of the Child

In the Best Interest of the Child · 1990

In the Best Interest of the Child

MovieDramaTV Movie

Jennifer's daughter is having nightmares and acting violently. It dawns on her that the child may be being sexually abused by her father. What is she to do when the court isn't favorable in the child's hour of need?

Howard

MovieDocumentaryMusic

Though legendary lyricist Howard Ashman died far too young, his impact on Broadway, movies, and the culture at large were incalculable. Told entirely through rare archival footage and interviews with Ashman’s family, friends, associates, and longtime partner Bill Lauch, Howard is an intimate tribute to a once-in-a-generation talent and a rousing celebration of musical storytelling itself.

Your Mother Wears Combat Boots

Your Mother Wears Combat Boots · 1989

Your Mother Wears Combat Boots

An overprotective single mother tries to stop her son joining the parachute unit by sending him to the college, fearful that he may end up his life like his father did. He secretly leaves the college and joins the army, but the mother finds out and makes a bet with him that if she passes the basic training, he will leave the unit.

Filmography

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The Incredible Shrinking Woman

The Incredible Shrinking Woman · 1981

The Incredible Shrinking Woman

MovieComedyFamily

After being exposed to a bizarre mixture of household chemicals, Pat Kramer begins to shrink. This baffles scientists, makes parenting difficult, warms the hearts of Americans, and captures the attention of a group of people who want to take over the world. This evil group plots to kidnap Pat and perform experiments on her so that they can eventually shrink everyone.

Neighbor

Smile

It's time again for California's "Young American Miss" beauty pageant, the biggest event of the year for Big Bob Freelander and Brenda DiCarlo, who give their all to put on a successful pageant. But Brenda is having marital difficulties and Bob's son is up to some mischief. Could this year's pageant be in jeopardy?

Maria

In a Stranger's Hand

In a Stranger's Hand · 1991

In a Stranger's Hand

MovieDramaThriller

Jack Bauer, a workaholic businessman, accidentally gets involved in a case of child kidnapping when he returns a doll found in the subway.

Paula

Protocol

Protocol · 1984

A Washington waitress saves the Emir of Ohtar's life, launching her diplomatic career and a scandal.

Donna

The Choirboys

The Choirboys · 1977

MovieComedyCrime

A group of Los Angeles cops decide to take off some of the pressures of their jobs by engaging in various forms of after-hours debauchery.

Carrier 2's Wife

In the Best Interest of the Child

In the Best Interest of the Child · 1990

In the Best Interest of the Child

MovieDramaTV Movie

Jennifer's daughter is having nightmares and acting violently. It dawns on her that the child may be being sexually abused by her father. What is she to do when the court isn't favorable in the child's hour of need?

Carla

Howard

MovieDocumentaryMusic

Though legendary lyricist Howard Ashman died far too young, his impact on Broadway, movies, and the culture at large were incalculable. Told entirely through rare archival footage and interviews with Ashman’s family, friends, associates, and longtime partner Bill Lauch, Howard is an intimate tribute to a once-in-a-generation talent and a rousing celebration of musical storytelling itself.

Maria (archive footage)

Your Mother Wears Combat Boots

Your Mother Wears Combat Boots · 1989

Your Mother Wears Combat Boots

An overprotective single mother tries to stop her son joining the parachute unit by sending him to the college, fearful that he may end up his life like his father did. He secretly leaves the college and joins the army, but the mother finds out and makes a bet with him that if she passes the basic training, he will leave the unit.

Carla

Dead on Arrival

Dead on Arrival · 2018

Dead on Arrival

A pharmaceutical sales rep visits a small town in Louisiana on business. He finds himself in a dark world of corruption and murder with 24 hours to live, running from the police, the mob and a sheriff that wants him dead.

Neighbor

In Sickness and in Health

In Sickness and in Health · 1992

In Sickness and in Health

MovieDramaTV Movie

A man hires a nurse to care for his wife, who suffers from Multiple Scleroses, but a relationship soon develops between them.

Nancy

Promised a Miracle

Promised a Miracle · 1988

Promised a Miracle

MovieDramaTV Movie

True story of a couple charged with manslaughter when their rejection of modern medicine in favor of religion to treat their diabetic child resulted in his death.

Shell Game

Shell Game · 1975

MovieComedyCrime

A convicted con artist sets out to expose the head of a charity fund who has been embezzling money to cover his huge gambling losses.

Lola Ramirez

PSI Factor

PSI Factor · 1980

MovieMysteryScience Fiction

Aliens from another dimension cross space and time to come to Earth. A scientist tries to discover what their motives are.

Good Luck

Good Luck · 1997

MovieDramaComedy

Bernard "Bern" Lemly is fed up with being in a wheelchair and wants more out of life. Meanwhile, former football player Tony "Ole" Olezniak is stewing after recently losing his sight. The men soon realize they can put their frustrated energy to good use by competing in a whitewater rafting race on Oregon's Rouge River. In the process, they discover their disabilities don't have to destroy their dreams.

Peggy

American Raspberry

American Raspberry · 1977

American Raspberry

Some unknown source has interrupted all television transmissions around the world. In place of the regular broadcasts, a lineup of extremely tasteless programs and commercials have been substituted. Included in the mix are such show as The Shitheads, The Charles Whitman Invitational, and commercials for a number of improbable products.

Air Puerto Rico Stewardess

Murder, She Wrote

Murder, She Wrote · 1984

Murder, She Wrote

SeriesMysteryCrime

An unassuming mystery writer turned sleuth uses her professional insight to help solve real-life homicide cases.

Lt. Abbe Esposito

The Love Boat

The Love Boat · 1977

SeriesDramaComedy

Passengers who search for romantic nights aboard a beautiful ship travelling to tropical or mysterious countries, decide to pass their vacation aboard the "Love Boat", where Gopher, Dr. Bricker, Isaac, Julie, and Captain Stubing try their best to please them, and sometimes help them fall in love. Things are not always so easy, but in the end, love wins.

Rita Almerez

Magnum, P.I.

Magnum, P.I. · 1980

SeriesCrimeDrama

A private investigator who works when he wants, lives in a beachfront estate in Hawaii, drives a posh Ferrari, runs up an unlimited tab at a swank bar, and charms attractive women in peril - that's the lifestyle of Thomas Magnum, aka Magnum, P.I.

Club Manager Applicant

Matlock

Matlock · 1986

SeriesDramaCrime

Thrifty, folksy and cantankerous, Matlock charges a premium for his services but is worth every penny: This renowned attorney, always clothed in his trademark light-gray suit and driving his signature Ford Crown Victoria, has an uncanny knack for finding overlooked clues and exposing murderers in dramatic courtroom scenes.

Juanita Martinez

Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction

Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction · 1997

Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction

SeriesDocumentaryMystery

Can you tell the difference between fact and fiction? Several stories of strange, mysterious and incredible occurrences are chronicled during each episode. It is up to the viewer to decide which stories actually happened and which were completely fabricated by the show’s writers. The answer is revealed by Jonathan Frakes at the conclusion of each episode.

Paranormal Investigator (segment "The Chess Game")

CHiPs

SeriesDramaAction & Adventure

Lighthearted look at the adventures of two Highway Patrol officers in Los Angeles. The main characters are Jon Baker and Frank Poncherello, two motorcycle officers always on the street to save lives.

Patti Poncherello

Jack & Jill

Jack & Jill · 1999

SeriesDramaComedy

A lighthearted romantic comedy about post-collegiate life, love and career in New York City.

Fortune Teller

Suddenly Susan

Suddenly Susan · 1996

Susan Keane is a glamorous San Francisco magazine writer beginning to adjust to being single, who learns to be independent-minded, after being taken care of all her life.

Maria