Actor dennis okeefe biography

American actor (1908–1968)

For the mayor of St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, see Dennis O'Keefe (politician). For the English professor of social science, see Dennis O'Keeffe.

Dennis O'Keefe (born Edward Vance Flanagan;^[3][4] March 29, 1908 – August 31, 1968) was an American actor and screenwriter.

Early years

O'Keefe was born in Fort Madison, Iowa, as Edward Vance Flanagan,^[5] the son of Edward J. Flanagan and Charlotte Flanagan (née Ravenscroft),^[6] both vaudevillians of Irish descent.

As a small child, he joined his parents' act and later wrote skits for the stage.^[5] He attended the University of Southern California but left midway through his sophomore year after his father died.^[7]

Career

O'Keefe continued his father's vaudeville act for several years after the father's death.^[6] He started in films as an extra in 1931^[8] and appeared in numerous films u