John Dennis Patrick O'Brian (August 16, 1914 – November 5, 2000) was an American entertainment journalist best known for his longtime role as a television critic for New York Journal American.[1]

Jack O'Brian
Born
John Dennis Patrick O'Brian

(1914-08-16)August 16, 1914
DiedNovember 5, 2000(2000-11-05) (aged 86)
CitizenshipUnited States
Occupation(s)Journalist for Buffalo Courier-Express, Associated Press, New York Journal American, WOR

Career

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A supporter of Senator Joseph McCarthy, O'Brian wrote a series of red-baiting attacks on CBS News and WCBS TV reporter Don Hollenbeck, accusing him of having Communist sympathies. These attacks may have been a major factor in Hollenbeck's eventual suicide in 1954, and are referenced in the 1986 film Murrow and the 2005 film Good Night, and Good Luck.[2][3]

After the death of Dorothy Kilgallen, his colleague at the Journal American, in November 1965, O'Brian took over her old Voice of Broadway column.[4]

Personal and death

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O'Brian was married to Yvonne Johnston, who died in 1996. They were the parents of two daughters, Bridget and Kate O'Brian, who was president of Al Jazeera America.[5]

References

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  1. ^ Ortega, Tony (April 11, 2008). "Steve Allen on Jack O'Brian". The Village Voice. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  2. ^ CBS's Don Hollenbeck : an honest reporter in the age of McCarthyism. 2008.
  3. ^ Jensen, Elizabeth (17 October 2008). "Remembering a Forgotten Newsman". The New York Times.
  4. ^ Martin, Douglas (November 8, 2000). "Jack O'Brian, 86, Columnist Of the Entertainment World". The New York Times. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  5. ^ "It's Summertime". New York Social Diary. July 24, 2013. Retrieved 2017-07-22.
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