---
name: "Dennis O'Keefe"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/dennis-okeefe"
roles: []
born: "29 March 1908"
died: "31 August 1968"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 10
average_fi1m_score: 81
average_over: 10
updated: "2026-09-19T23:35:14.583825+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Dennis O'Keefe

Actor. Born 29 March 1908 in Fort Madison, Iowa, USA. Died 31 August 1968.

## Details

- **Born:** 29 March 1908, Fort Madison, Iowa, USA
- **Died:** 31 August 1968
- **Also known as:** E.J. Flanagan, Jonathan Ricks, Jonathan Rix, Bud Flannagan, Bud Flanagan, Al Everett Dennis, Edward Vanes Flanagan, Jr., Edward Vance Flanagan, Edward Vance Flanagan Jr.
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 10: 1 acting, 9 other
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 82 to 80 across 6 titles
- **Score spread:** 6 at 80+, 4 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 1 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Romance 7, Comedy 6, Drama 6, Music 3, Adventure 1, Crime 1
- **Screen time:** 16 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $13m across 4 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dennis_O%27Keefe, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1189404, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0641454/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/88462

## Biography

Dennis O'Keefe (born Edward Vance Flanagan; 29 March 1908 – 31 August 1968) was an American actor. The son of Irish-American vaudevillians, he joined his parents' stage act as a child and later wrote skits. He began working in films as an extra in the early 1930s, appearing uncredited in numerous productions under the name Bud Flanagan.

After a small role in *Saratoga* (1937), Clark Gable recommended him to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, which signed him to a contract that year and renamed him Dennis O'Keefe. He gained larger parts from 1938, including *The Bad Man of Brimstone* (1938) and the lead in *Burn 'Em Up O'Connor* (1939). He left MGM around 1940 and continued in mostly lower-budget films, often as a leading man in action and crime dramas or comedies.

In the 1950s he directed one film, wrote mystery stories and appeared in television series, including his own sitcom *The Dennis O'Keefe Show* (1959–60).

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, catalog.afi.com, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (10)

### Performed in (1)

- *Three Smart Girls* (1936), Fi1m 72, as Nightclub Extra — [page](https://film.one/film/three-smart-girls.md)

### Also credited (9) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited

- *A Star Is Born* (1937), Fi1m 78, as Burke's Party Guest (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/a-star-is-born-1937.md)
- *Captains Courageous* (1937), Fi1m 84, as Bit Role (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/captains-courageous.md)
- *Libeled Lady* (1936), Fi1m 77, as Barker at Charity Affair (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/libeled-lady.md)
- *Mr. Deeds Goes to Town* (1936), Fi1m 82, as Courtroom Reporter (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/mr-deeds-goes-to-town.md)
- *San Francisco* (1936), Fi1m 71, as New Year's Celebrant (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/san-francisco.md)
- *Top Hat* (1935), Fi1m 87, as Elevator Passenger / Hotel Guest / Dancer (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/top-hat.md)
- *42nd Street* (1933), Fi1m 82, as Chorus Boy (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/42nd-street.md)
- *Duck Soup* (1933), Fi1m 88, as Bridegroom at Firefly's Reception (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/duck-soup.md)
- *I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang* (1932), Fi1m 85, as Café Chateau Dancer (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/i-am-a-fugitive-from-a-chain-gang.md)

## Complete filmography (206)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *The Naked Flame* (1964), as Paul Ashley · Writer
- *Petticoat Junction* (1963), series, as Walter O'Connor
- *All Hands on Deck* (1961), as Brian O'Gara
- *The Dennis O'Keefe Show* (1959), series, as Hal Towne
- *Riverboat* (1959), series, as Dan Muldoon
- *Sail Into Danger* (1957), as Steve Ryman
- *Dragoon Wells Massacre* (1957), as Capt. Matt Riordan
- *Lady of Vengeance* (1957), as William T. Marshall
- *Confession* (1956), as Ben Birch
- *Inside Detroit* (1955), as Blair Vickers
- *Screen Director's Playhouse* (1955), series, as Reverend Charles Parker
- *Chicago Syndicate* (1955), as Barry Amsterdam
- *Las Vegas Shakedown* (1955), as Joe Barnes
- *Angela* (1954), as Steve Catlett · Screenplay, Director
- *Climax!* (1954), series, as Inspector Marney, Evans, Fred Long, Howard Davenport
- *The Black Knight* (1954), Dialogue
- *Drums of Tahiti* (1954), as Mike Macklin
- *The Diamond Wizard* (1954), as Joe Dennison · Director
- *The Fake* (1953), as Paul Mitchell
- *The Lady Wants Mink* (1953), as Jim Connors
- *Everything I Have Is Yours* (1952), as Alec Tacksbury
- *The Gulf Playhouse* (1952), series, Actor
- *One Big Affair* (1952), as Jimmy Donovan
- *Schlitz Playhouse of Stars* (1951), series, as Prof. Stephen Bolt
- *Passage West* (1951), as Jacob Karns
- *Follow the Sun* (1951), as Chuck Williams
- *The Company She Keeps* (1951), as Larry
- *Woman on the Run* (1950), as Dan Legget
- *Lux Video Theatre* (1950), series, as Second Man, Captain John Danforth, Bill, Jeff Sewell, Mack
- *The Eagle and the Hawk* (1950), as Whitney Randolph
- *Your Show of Shows* (1950), series, Actor
- *Robert Montgomery Presents* (1950), series, Actor
- *Abandoned* (1949), as Mark Sitko
- *The Great Dan Patch* (1949), as David Palmer
- *Cover Up* (1949), as Sam Donovan · Screenplay
- *Suspense* (1949), series, Actor
- *Siren of Atlantis* (1949), as Jean Morhange
- *Studio One* (1948), series, as Will
- *Walk a Crooked Mile* (1948), as Daniel F. O'Hara
- *Raw Deal* (1948), as Joe Sullivan
- *T-Men* (1947), as Dennis O'Brien / Vannie Harrigan
- *Dishonored Lady* (1947), as Dr. David Cousins
- *Mr. District Attorney* (1947), as Steve Bennett
- *Her Adventurous Night* (1946), as Bill Fry
- *Doll Face* (1945), as Michael Francis 'Mike' Hannegan
- *Getting Gertie's Garter* (1945), as Kenneth B. Ford
- *The Affairs of Susan* (1945), as Bill Anthony
- *Brewster's Millions* (1945), as Montague L. 'Monty' Brewster
- *Earl Carroll Vanities* (1945), as Danny Baldwin
- *Up in Mabel's Room* (1944), as Boris
- *Abroad with Two Yanks* (1944), as Jeff Reardon
- *The Story of Dr. Wassell* (1944), as Benjamin 'Hoppy' Hopkins
- *Sensations of 1945* (1944), as Junior Crane
- *The Fighting Seabees* (1944), as Lt. Cmdr. Robert Yarrow
- *Hi Diddle Diddle* (1943), as Sonny Phyffe
- *The Leopard Man* (1943), as Jerry Manning
- *Good Morning, Judge* (1943), as David Barton
- *Tahiti Honey* (1943), as Mickey Monroe
- *Hangmen Also Die!* (1943), as Jan Horak
- *Moonlight Masquerade* (1942), as John Bennett Jr.
- *The Affairs of Jimmy Valentine* (1942), as Mike Jason
- *Weekend for Three* (1941), as Jim 'Jimbo' Craig
- *Lady Scarface* (1941), as Lieutenant Bill Mason
- *Broadway Limited* (1941), as Dr. Harvey North
- *Mr. District Attorney* (1941), as P. Cadwallader Jones
- *Topper Returns* (1941), as Bob
- *Bowery Boy* (1940), as Dr. Tom O'Hara
- *You'll Find Out* (1940), as Chuck Deems
- *Arise, My Love* (1940), as Shep
- *I'm Nobody's Sweetheart Now* (1940), as Tod Lowell
- *Girl from Havana* (1940), as Woody Davis
- *Pop Always Pays* (1940), as Jeff Thompson
- *La Conga Nights* (1940), as Steve Collins
- *Alias the Deacon* (1940), as Johnny Sloan
- *That's Right – You're Wrong* (1939), as Chuck Deems
- *Unexpected Father* (1939), as Jimmy Hanley
- *The Kid From Texas* (1939), as William Quincy
- *Burn 'Em Up O'Connor* (1939), as Jerry O'Connor
- *Vacation from Love* (1938), as Bill Blair
- *The Chaser* (1938), as Tom Brandon
- *Hold That Kiss* (1938), as Tommy Bradford
- *A Yank at Oxford* (1938), as Racetrack Handler (uncredited)
- *The Kid Comes Back* (1938), Story
- *The Bad Man of Brimstone* (1937), as Jeffrey Burton
- *The Firefly* (1937), as French Soldier Admirer (uncredited)
- *Walter Wanger's Vogues of 1938* (1937), as Nightclub Patron
- *One Mile from Heaven* (1937), as Party Guest
- *Saratoga* (1937), as Party guest
- *Easy Living* (1937), as Office Manager (uncredited)
- *Captains Courageous* (1937), as Bit Role (uncredited) — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/captains-courageous.md)
- *The Great Gambini* (1937), as Nightclub Patron
- *Riding on Air* (1937), as Radium Plane 23 Co-Pilot (uncredited)
- *The Girl from Scotland Yard* (1937), as John
- *Make Way for Tomorrow* (1937), as Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
- *A Star Is Born* (1937), as Burke's Party Guest (uncredited) — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/a-star-is-born-1937.md)
- *Top of the Town* (1937), as Frank
- *Swing High, Swing Low* (1937), as Purser (uncredited)
- *History Is Made at Night* (1937), as Restaurant Patron (uncredited)
- *Mama Steps Out* (1937), as Dance Extra
- *Champagne Waltz* (1937), as Dance Extra at Blue Danube Room
- *Beloved Enemy* (1936), as Reception Guest (Uncredited)
- *Three Smart Girls* (1936), as Nightclub Extra — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/three-smart-girls.md)
- *Sinner Take All* (1936), as Night Club Guest (uncredited)
- *Great Guy* (1936), as Party Guest (Uncredited)
- *Rose Bowl* (1936), as Jones
- *The Accusing Finger* (1936), as Reporter
- *Theodora Goes Wild* (1936), as Man (uncredited)
- *Libeled Lady* (1936), as Barker at Charity Affair (uncredited) — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/libeled-lady.md)
- *The Big Broadcast of 1937* (1936), as Sound Technician (uncredited)
- *Sworn Enemy* (1936), as Bandleader (uncredited)
- *Piccadilly Jim* (1936), as Petie McGregor (uncredited)
- *Yours for the Asking* (1936), as Man (uncredited)
- *Rhythm on the Range* (1936), as Sidewalk Heckler
- *San Francisco* (1936), as New Year's Celebrant (uncredited) — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/film/san-francisco.md)
- *Fury* (1936), as Reporter (uncredited)
- *Private Number* (1936), as Gambler (Uncredited)
- *Burning Gold* (1936), as Derrick Worker
- *Show Boat* (1936), Actor
- *13 Hours by Air* (1936), as Baker-Co-Pilot
- *Small Town Girl* (1936), as Man Dancing in Tavern (uncredited)
- *The Singing Kid* (1936), as Bud (uncredited)
- *Mr. Deeds Goes to Town* (1936), as Courtroom Reporter (uncredited) — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/mr-deeds-goes-to-town.md)
- *Colleen* (1936), as Extra on Dance Floor (uncredited)
- *Love Before Breakfast* (1936), as College Boy (uncredited)
- *Strike Me Pink* (1936), as Club Lido Patron (uncredited)
- *White Lies* (1935), as Dinner Guest (uncredited)
- *Broadway Hostess* (1935), as Donald Ross - Ronnie's Friend (uncredited)
- *Personal Maid's Secret* (1935), as Dinner Guest
- *A Feather in Her Hat* (1935), as Theatergoer (uncredited)
- *It's in the Air* (1935), as Announcer / Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
- *Here Comes the Band* (1935), as Party Guest at Reunion (uncredited)
- *Top Hat* (1935), as Elevator Passenger / Hotel Guest / Dancer (uncredited) — Fi1m 87, [page](https://film.one/film/top-hat.md)
- *Every Night at Eight* (1935), as Huxley Employee (uncredited)
- *The Daring Young Man* (1935), as Wedding Participant
- *Doubting Thomas* (1935), as Member of Audience
- *A Night at the Biltmore Bowl* (1935), as Dancer (uncredited)
- *The Misses Stooge* (1935), as Party Guest (uncredited)
- *Baby Face Harrington* (1935), as Country Club Patron (uncredited)
- *Mississippi* (1935), as Party Guest (uncredited)
- *The Wedding Night* (1935), as Party Guest (uncredited)
- *One New York Night* (1935), as Extra
- *The Gilded Lily* (1935), as Nightclub Extra (uncredited)
- *Broadway Bill* (1934), as (uncredited)
- *Imitation of Life* (1934), as Party Guest (uncredited)
- *College Rhythm* (1934), as Department Store Doorman
- *Kid Millions* (1934), as Chorus Boy in Ship's Show (uncredited)
- *Everything's Ducky* (1934), as Party Guest
- *Lady by Choice* (1934), as Dance Extra (uncredited)
- *Two Heads on a Pillow* (1934), as Night Club Patron (uncredited)
- *A Lost Lady* (1934), as Dance Extra (uncredited)
- *Desirable* (1934), as Party Guest
- *Gift of Gab* (1934), as Dancer (uncredited)
- *The Red Rider* (1934), as Minor Role
- *We're Rich Again* (1934), as Wedding Guest (uncredited)
- *He Was Her Man* (1934), as Man Leaving Courtroom
- *Fog Over Frisco* (1934), as Van Brugh, Reporter (Uncredited)
- *Smarty* (1934), as Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
- *Murder at the Vanities* (1934), as Chorus Boy (uncredited)
- *Upperworld* (1934), as Police Photographer (uncredited)
- *Wonder Bar* (1934), as Chorus Boy (uncredited)
- *Jimmy the Gent* (1934), as Chester Coote (uncredited)
- *Coming Out Party* (1934), as Party Guest
- *All of Me* (1934), as Policeman (uncredited)
- *Lady Killer* (1933), as Casino Patron (uncredited)
- *Blood Money* (1933), as Racetrack Spectator (uncredited)
- *Duck Soup* (1933), as Bridegroom at Firefly's Reception (uncredited) — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/duck-soup.md)
- *The Prizefighter and the Lady* (1933), as Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
- *Broadway Thru a Keyhole* (1933), as Nightclub Dance Extra
- *Only Yesterday* (1933), as New Year's Eve Reveler (Uncredited)
- *Bombshell* (1933), as Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
- *I'm No Angel* (1933), as Courtroom Reporter (uncredited)
- *Too Much Harmony* (1933), as Cafe Patron
- *Torch Singer* (1933), as Nightclub Patron
- *She Had to Say Yes* (1933), as Cabaret Patron (uncredited)
- *Cocktail Hour* (1933), as Party Guest (uncredited)
- *Gold Diggers of 1933* (1933), as Theatregoer (uncredited)
- *Ann Carver's Profession* (1933), as Dinner Party Guest (uncredited)
- *The Phantom of the Air* (1933), as Party Guest (uncredited)
- *The Eagle and the Hawk* (1933), as Flier (uncredited)
- *42nd Street* (1933), as Chorus Boy (uncredited) — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/42nd-street.md)
- *Girl Missing* (1933), as Casino Patron (Uncredited)
- *From Hell to Heaven* (1933), as Louie - Switchboard Operator (uncredited)
- *The Woman Accused* (1933), as Party Extra (uncredited)
- *Hello, Everybody!* (1933), as Casino Patron (uncredited)
- *Central Park* (1932), as Casino Diner (uncredited)
- *I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang* (1932), as Café Chateau Dancer (uncredited) — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/film/i-am-a-fugitive-from-a-chain-gang.md)
- *Night After Night* (1932), as Drunk Sleeping on a Table (uncredited)
- *A Bill of Divorcement* (1932), as Party Guest
- *The Cabin in the Cotton* (1932), as Dance Floor Extra at Madge's Party (uncredited)
- *Blonde Venus* (1932), as (uncredited)
- *Big City Blues* (1932), as Dice Spectator (uncredited)
- *Skyscraper Souls* (1932), as Stock Brokerage Clerk (Uncredited)
- *Bachelor's Affairs* (1932), as Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
- *The Man from Yesterday* (1932), as Cafe Patron
- *Merrily We Go to Hell* (1932), as Wedding Usher (uncredited)
- *Huddle* (1932), as Dancer (uncredited)
- *Scarface* (1932), as Night Club Patron (uncredited)
- *Love Affair* (1932), as One of Carol's Friends at Party (uncredited)
- *Under Eighteen* (1932), as Penthouse Party Guest (uncredited)
- *Working Girls* (1931), as Dance Extra (uncredited)
- *West of Broadway* (1931), as Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
- *Honeymoon Trio* (1931), as Wedding Guest
- *The Miracle Woman* (1931), as Man in Audience (uncredited)
- *Laugh and Get Rich* (1931), as Young Man at Dance (uncredited)
- *Cimarron* (1931), as (uncredited)
- *Reaching for the Moon* (1930), as Ship's Party Guest (uncredited)

## Gallery

- ![Dennis O'Keefe](https://film.one/media/person/393885/gallery-7b332be52c82.jpg) Dennis O'Keefe — Studio Publicity, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0c/DennisOKeefe.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Carmen Miranda and Dennis O'Keefe in Doll Face (1946).](https://film.one/media/person/393885/gallery-b94a1ed5e92e.jpg) Carmen Miranda and Dennis O'Keefe in Doll Face (1946). — 20th Century Fox, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cb/Carmen_Miranda_%26_Dennis_O%27Keefe_in_Doll_Face_1946.JPG/1280px-Carmen_Miranda_%26_Dennis_O%27Keefe_in_Doll_Face_1946.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Dennis O'Keefe](https://film.one/media/person/393885/gallery-0d7414fddb6e.jpg) Dennis O'Keefe — Image via TMDB
- ![Dennis O'Keefe](https://film.one/media/person/393885/gallery-94dc4ed9de02.jpg) Dennis O'Keefe — Image via TMDB

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© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/dennis-okeefe