Michael O'Keefe (real name Raymond Peter O'Keefe Jr.) is an American theater, film and television actor, director, and musician. Oscar and Golden Globe nominees for his role in The Great Santini.
The performer began his career with performances at Joseph Papp's Public Theater in New York, as well as filming in TV commercials for Colgate toothpastes.
In the creative biography of Michael, there are more than a hundred roles in television and film projects. He has appeared in many popular American entertainment programs and Academy Awards.
When the actor was married to the famous blues singer Bonnie Lynn Wright, he wrote several songs for her. One of them won a Grammy, and the rest were featured on Wright's solo album, Luck of the Draw.
Biography facts
Raymond Peter was born in the United States in the spring of 1955. He was the eldest child in a family of seven. His ancestors were from Ireland, France and Canada.
The parents were very pious people and raised their children in severity. Father - Raymond Peter O'Keefe Sr., he taught law at Fordham University and St. Thomas University. Mom did the housework and raised the children.
The artist's childhood years were spent in the village of Larchmont, located near the city of Mamaronek, New York. He received his primary education at Mamaroneck (NY) High School.
Raymond was a very shy and awkward child. To help the boy, the teachers recommended that he enroll in a drama club. There he began to be seriously interested in art and creativity, gradually deciding to devote his further life to the acting profession.
During his school years, O'Keefe played in many educational productions. This helped him to relax, learn to interact with the audience, reveal his acting talent and feel free on stage.
When the young man was 15 years old, he became interested in Zen Buddhism, joined the "Way" society and became a student of Zen Master Bernie Glassman. This society consisted of many famous people, including: Leonard Cohen, P. Matthiessen, Pat O'Hara, Gary Snyder, Peter Coyote, Richard Baker, Daido Luri.
After graduating from high school, O'Keefe went to New York to study acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. After completing his studies, he took a creative pseudonym and became Michael.
In 1970, he began his acting career in commercials. Then he joined one of the theater companies and performed for several years on stage.
Film career
In 1974, Michael began acting in television projects. He got his first role in one of the episodes of the series "Texas Wheelers". Then he played in many popular serial films: "The Waltons", "Maud", "Bloody Service at Mash Hospital", "Police Story", "Lucas Tanner", "Phyllis", "The Sad Knight".
In 1976 he played a small role in the crime drama The Lindbergh Kidnapping Case directed by Buzz Kulik. The film was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Television Film of the Year.
In the mini-series "The Dark Secret of the Harvest Festival," Michael appeared as Pettinger in 2 episodes.
The plot of the picture unfolds in a small American town. After the death of his father, Kay with her husband Nick and daughter decide to leave New York. They buy a small old house in the countryside. When Nick decides to write a book about the inhabitants and the history of the settlement, he discovers many terrible secrets and secrets hidden behind the comfort and tranquility of the town.
In the disaster film "The Gray Lady Goes Deep" the actor played Harris. The film is about a submarine that collides with a cargo ship and sinks to the bottom. Rescuers are unable to lift the vessel from the depths and turn to the crew of the experimental submarine for help.
In 1979, the performer appeared on the screen in Lewis John Carlino's drama The Great Santini. Michael O'Keefe and Robert Duvall became Oscar nominees. The actor was also nominated for a Golden Globe in the Breakthrough of the Year category.
In his later career, Michael had dozens of roles in well-known projects: Golf Club, The Hitchhiker, Nat and Hayes, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Thistle, Roseanne, Fear, Die Young, Law & Order, Inspired by the Rain, Deception Ridge Incident, Beyond the Possible, Three Wishes, People Next Door, Mississippi Ghosts, Pros and Cons, West Wing "," CSI: Crime Scene Investigation "," Just One Night "," Glass House "," Law & Order. Malicious Intent "," Chick "," House Doctor "," 4isla "," Snooper "," Criminal Minds "," Ghost Whisperer "," Night Walker "," Narrow Circle "," Lost "," Brothers and sisters "," American Crime "," Black Mark "," Save Grace "," Michael Clayton "," Keith "," At the last moment "," Rob the loot "," Dear Doctor "," Blue Blood "," Atlas Shrugged "," Too Cool for Failure "," Homeland "," Dawn "," Elementary "," A Thousand Takes "," Sleepy Hollow "," Black List "," Masters of Sex "," Sneaky Pete "," All-Seeing Eye "," Family Quickly "," The Enemy Within "," City on a Hill ".
Personal life
The first wife of Michael was actress and singer Bonnie Lynn Wright. They got married in the spring of 1991 and lived together for almost 10 years.
Emily Donaho became the second wife. She is an actress, producer, co-founder of Apparition Production, and founder of WOMENSPEAK Training (WST). Michael and Emily's wedding took place on September 18, 2011. The husband and wife have been living together for 8 years and are raising a child.
O'Keefe is not only pursuing an acting career. He tried his hand at directing with the release of the documentary "Raising the Ashes".
Michael also writes poetry. In 2009 he published his own compilation entitled "Swimming From Under My Father".
