A Star’s Final Curtain Call
Hollywood has lost one of its golden-era gems.
Joan O’Brien, a beloved actress and singer, died at 89 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Her daughter Melissa confirmed the news on May 15. However, Joan passed away earlier, on May 5.
Lighting Up the Silver Screen
Joan O’Brien starred opposite legends like Elvis Presley, Cary Grant, and John Wayne.
She became a fan favorite in films such as Operation Petticoat and It Happened at the World’s Fair.
In the 1959 comedy Operation Petticoat, she played Cary Grant’s quirky sidekick.
In 1963’s romantic musical, she charmed Elvis Presley as a nurse at the Seattle World’s Fair.
Interestingly, that same film marked Kurt Russell’s film debut—he played the boy who kicked Elvis in the shin.
Fans Remember Her
Tributes poured in online.
“She was a welcome sight in the 1950s and ’60s,” one fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Another simply said, “RIP Joan O’Brien 💔.”
Born to Shine
Joan was born on Valentine’s Day, 1936, in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Her family later moved to California, where her artistic gifts emerged early.
By age 8, she was taking dance lessons.
At 15, she joined Hometown Jamboree, a local country music show.
Soon after, she landed a regular singing role on The Bob Crosby Show.
A Film and TV Favorite
Joan made her film debut in 1958’s Handle with Care.
She followed it up with hits like It’s Only Money (with Jerry Lewis), Six Black Horses, and We Joined the Navy.
She also impressed on TV.
Her guest appearances included The Dick Van Dyke Show, Wagon Train, The Virginian, The Roaring 20s, and The Man From U.N.C.L.E.
In 1959, she showed off her singing on The Lawrence Welk Show as a substitute “Champagne Lady.”
A Life Behind the Scenes
Despite her success, Joan’s personal life had struggles.
In 1965, she was hospitalized after a reported suicide attempt at actor Robert Vaughn’s home.
The two had been romantically involved.
After that, her Hollywood presence faded.
She returned briefly to sing with Harry James’ band, then stepped away to focus on raising her children.
Later, she worked as an executive for the Hilton Hotel chain.
Love and Loss
Joan’s love life included several marriages—to Billy Strange, John Meyers, Harvey Allen, and Dino Kotopoulis—all ending in divorce.
In 1979, she married U.S. military officer Malcolm Bernard Campbell.
They stayed together until his death in 2004.
A Lasting Legacy
Though she left the spotlight, Joan O’Brien’s charm never dimmed.
Her roles alongside cinema legends still shine.
As one fan said best:
“She’ll always be remembered for her smile, her songs, and her spot alongside legends.”
Rest in peace, Joan.
