Brian Edward O'Connor (born February 14, 1953), known professionally as Brian Brucker O'Connor or Brian O'Connor, is an American actor, comedian, guidance counselor, and musician. His best known roles include Biddle in Beverly Hills Cop II (1987) and Schemer on Shining Time Station (1989–1993).
Career O'Connor graduated from the University of Massachusetts in 1975 to pursue a career in acting. Arriving in Boston, he co-founded the comedy troupe Slap Happy, along with fellow UMass alum Allan Jacobs. Joined by Jeff Ernstoff and Jan Kirschner, the group toured the nation and reached over 200 universities, receiving critical praise for performances in Boston, Cambridge and New York City.1983 Tanglewood, oclc.org; accessed February 25, 2018. During the Slap Happy tour, O'Connor participated in a Ford's Theatre production of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
O'Connor made his onscreen debut with the recorded-live sketch comedy special National Lampoon's Class of '86 (1986). He followed this with a guest appearance on Miami Vice and his feature film debut in Beverly Hills Cop II (1987) as Biddle. He returned to New York in 1988 to perform a one-man show ("One Hour Out of Your Life") at the Judith Anderson Theatre, earning praise from The New York Times''' Stephen Holden.Review/Comedy; A Whimsical Grab Bag, nytimes.com, March 22, 1988.
In 1989, O'Connor was cast as Horace Schemer on Shining Time Station (1989–1993); the character, known commonly as "Schemer", proved to be his signature role. The roguish and clumsy, but still caring, character quickly grew in popularity with audiences. Since the show's cancellation, O'Connor has made numerous public appearances as Schemer.
Following his appearance in the indie comedy film Terrorists (2004), Mr. O'Connor performed in the 2005 Geva Theatre Center production of the solo play The Race of the Ark Tattoo. Shortly thereafter, he went back to school to become certified as a children's guidance counselor.
In 2016, O'Connor became the vocalist and co-guitarist for independent band The 6660s.
Personal life O'Connor was born into a Roman Catholic family of Irish descent, the third of five children. He was married for seven years to actress Jane Brucker, best known for portraying Lisa Houseman in Dirty Dancing (1987); they have a daughter, Sally (born 1989). O'Connor and Brucker appeared in the same 1986 episode of Miami Vice'' ("Baby Blues"), although their characters did not share scenes.
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1986 Class of '86 Various characters Direct-to-video 1987 Beverly Hills Cop II Biddle Deadly Prey Soldier Mankillers Special CIA Agent 1988 Death Chase Game Player Night Wars Trent Matthews 1989 Order of the Eagle Robert Logan Future Force Attacker #2 2004 Terrorists Butch
Television Year Title Role Notes 1986 Miami Vice Detective Patterson Episode: "Baby Blues" 1987 Mike's Talent Show Stubby Malone Television film 1988 Tattinger's Episode: "Two Men and a Baby" 1989 Starting Now Bing Taylor Television film 1989–1993 Shining Time Station Horace Schemer, Jebediah Schemer 64 episodesAlso writer 1990 Random Acts of Variety Host, various roles 1 episode Shining Time Station: 'Tis a Gift Schemer Television film 1991 Real Mature Various characters 1993 Rumor Has It Himself (host) 1993–1994 Schemer Presents! Schemer 10 episodes 1994 Schemer Presents: The World According to Me Direct-to-video 1995 Shining Time Station: Once Upon a Time Television film Shining Time Station: Second Chances Shining Time Station: One of the Family Shining Time Station: Queen for a Day The Weinerville Chanukah Special Antidorkus 1997 Sports Kabob Various characters TV series shortAlso director
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