Hugh O’Brian was an iconic American actor and humanitarian whose remarkable career and life story have left a lasting impact. Best known for his portrayal of Wyatt Earp in the ABC Western television series “The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp,” O’Brian’s career spanned several decades and earned him a place among Hollywood’s notable stars.
His foray into acting began serendipitously in 1947 when he attended a performance of Somerset Maugham’s play “Home and Beauty.” After three years with Universal, O’Brian ventured into guest-starring roles in numerous television shows and films, such as “Broken Lance” and “There’s No Business Like Show Business.”
Hugh O’Brian’s personal life was as dynamic as his professional career. He married Virginia Barber in 2006, and the couple enjoyed a decade of marriage until his passing in 2016. O’Brian’s legacy continues to influence and inspire through his work in film, television, and humanitarian efforts.
In this comprehensive bio/wiki for 2024, we delve into the fascinating details of Hugh O’Brian’s age, height, net worth, and relationship, celebrating the life of a man who truly embodied versatility, dedication, and the spirit of giving.
Who is Hugh O’Brian?
Hugh O’Brian was a famous American actor who played a cowboy named Wyatt Earp on TV. He was born in Rochester, New York, in 1925 and was very good at sports like football and basketball when he was in school. Hugh went to college for a short time but left to join the Marines during World War II.
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He became the youngest drill instructor in Marine history at just 17 years old. Hugh’s acting career began by accident when he filled in for a sick actor during a play. He did such a good job that he got a contract with Universal Studios. Besides acting, Hugh loved helping young people and started a group called Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership to inspire them.
Bio/Wiki
| Popular As | Hugh Charles Krampe |
| Occupation | actor, soundtrack, miscellaneous |
| Age | 91 years old |
| Zodiac Sign | Aries |
| Born | 19 April, 1925 |
| Birthday | 19 April |
| Birthplace | Rochester, New York, USA |
| Date of death | 5 September, 2016 |
| Died Place | Beverly Hills, California, USA |
| Nationality | United States |
Real Name and Ethnicity of Hugh O’Brian
Hugh O’Brian’s real name was Hugh Charles Krampe. He was born to parents Hugh John Krampe, who was a United States Marine Corps officer, and his wife Edith. Hugh O’Brian was of white ethnicity. He grew up with his brother Don Krampe. Despite using a different last name for his acting career, his heritage and family background were always an important part of who he was.
Parents and Siblings
Hugh O’Brian’s dad was Hugh John Krampe, a Marine Corps officer, and his mom was named Edith. Hugh had a brother named Don Krampe. They grew up together and had many adventures as kids.
Hugh loved his family a lot, and even though he changed his last name for acting, he always remembered his roots. His brother Don was also important to him throughout his life. The Krampe family shared many special moments, supporting each other through thick and thin.
Early Life and Education of Hugh O’Brian
Hugh O’Brian was born Hugh Charles Krampe on April 19, 1925, in Rochester, New York. His dad was a Marine Corps officer, and his mom’s name was Edith. Hugh had a brother named Don, and they had lots of fun growing up together. He went to New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois, where he was great at sports like football, basketball, wrestling, and track.
After high school, Hugh went to Kemper Military School in Missouri and continued to be a star athlete. Later, he joined the University of Cincinnati to study law. But after just one semester, he decided to join the Marines during World War II. He became the youngest drill instructor in Marine Corps history at age 17.
Career
Hugh O’Brian’s acting career took off when he got great reviews for filling in for a sick actor in a play. He then signed a contract with Universal Studios and acted in many TV shows and movies. He is best known for playing Wyatt Earp in the TV show “The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp.”
He also appeared in films like “Broken Lance” and “There’s No Business Like Show Business.” Besides acting, Hugh started the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership program to help young people become great leaders.
Height, Weight, Age, and Figure
Hugh O’Brian was a tall man, standing at 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 meters). He weighed about 132 pounds (60 kilograms). Hugh was born on April 19, 1925, and he lived to be 91 years old.
Even though he was a famous actor, he looked just like a regular person you might see every day. Hugh took care of himself and stayed fit throughout his life, which helped him in his acting roles, especially when he played cowboys and other strong characters on TV and in movies.
Hugh O’Brian Girlfriend/ Wife
Hugh O’Brian married Virginia Barber in 2006. They enjoyed a happy life together for ten years until Hugh passed away in 2016. Virginia was his loving partner and supported him in all his endeavors.
Although Hugh was famous and busy with his acting career and humanitarian work, he and Virginia made time for each other and shared many special moments. Hugh did not have a girlfriend before he met Virginia, and they did not have any children together. However, Hugh had a son named Hugh Krampe Jr. from a previous relationship.
Hugh O’Brian Before Fame
Before Hugh O’Brian became famous, he was just like many other kids. He loved playing sports and was really good at football, basketball, wrestling, and track. Hugh also went to New Trier High School in Illinois and Kemper Military School in Missouri.
He even tried studying law at the University of Cincinnati. But instead of finishing college, he decided to join the Marines during World War II. Hugh was very brave and became the youngest drill instructor in Marine history when he was only 17 years old. His big break in acting happened by accident when he helped out in a play.
Famous Reason
Hugh O’Brian became famous mainly for his role as Wyatt Earp on the TV show “The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp.” He played a brave cowboy and lawman, which made him very popular with audiences.
His strong acting and ability to portray a heroic character helped him stand out in Hollywood. This show was one of the first Westerns on TV and it ran for many years, making Hugh O’Brian a household name. Besides acting, he also became well-known for his efforts to help young people through his leadership program.
Nationality and Religion
Hugh O’Brian was American. This means he was born in the United States and lived there his whole life. Hugh’s family was from Rochester, New York, which is a city in the United States. He loved his country a lot and even served in the Marine Corps to help protect it.
Hugh followed Christianity as his religion. This means he believed in Jesus and tried to live a good life by helping others and being kind. Hugh’s faith was important to him, and he always tried to do the right thing.
Net Worth of Hugh O’Brian
Hugh O’Brian made a lot of money from his acting career. He had a net worth of $5 million. This means that if you added up all the money and things he owned, it would be worth $5 million. He earned this money by working in movies and TV shows.
Hugh was very talented and people liked to watch him, so he got paid well for his work. He also used some of his money to help young people through his leadership program, showing he cared about others too.
Legacy and Impact
Hugh O’Brian’s legacy is one of both entertainment and helping others. He became famous for acting as Wyatt Earp, a cowboy hero on TV. But Hugh did more than act; he wanted to make the world better. He started a special program called HOBY to help young people become great leaders.
This program teaches kids how to be strong, kind, and smart, just like Hugh. Even after he passed away, his work continues to inspire many young leaders. Hugh showed that you can be a star on TV and also make a big difference in real life.
Future Plains
Even though Hugh O’Brian passed away in 2016, his work continues to inspire many people. The Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) program he started will keep helping young people learn to be great leaders.
HOBY will continue to teach kids how to make good choices and help their communities. People will always remember Hugh for his kind heart and strong spirit. His movies and TV shows will still be watched by new generations, and his work to help others will keep making the world a better place.
Interesting Facts About
- Hugh O’Brian’s real name was Hugh Charles Krampe.
- He became the youngest Marine drill instructor at just 17 years old.
- His acting career started by accident when he filled in for a sick actor in a play.
- He played Wyatt Earp, a famous cowboy, on TV for many years.
- Hugh loved helping young people and started the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership program.
- He was very good at sports like football, basketball, wrestling, and track in high school.
- Hugh was born in Rochester, New York, and he grew up with a brother named Don.
- He married Virginia Barber in 2006 and they were together until he passed away in 2016.
- Hugh had a net worth of $5 million from his acting career.
Hobbies
- Hugh O’Brian loved playing sports, especially football, basketball, wrestling, and track.
- He enjoyed acting and started his career in a play.
- Hugh liked helping young people and started a program called HOBY to teach kids to be leaders.
- He enjoyed spending time with his wife, Virginia, after they got married.
- Hugh loved the outdoors and often went on adventures.
- He liked reading and learning new things.
- Hugh enjoyed watching movies and TV shows to see different acting styles.
- He had fun traveling and meeting new people around the world.
- Hugh enjoyed spending time with his family and his brother, Don.
- He liked going to events and sharing his experiences with others.
Conclusion
Hugh O’Brian was an amazing person who became famous for playing a cowboy on TV and helping young people. He loved sports, acting, and teaching kids how to be leaders. Hugh also had a happy life with his wife, Virginia, and cared a lot about his family.
His work in movies, TV shows, and his youth program still makes people happy and inspired today. Even though Hugh is no longer with us, his actions and dedication to helping others continue to have a positive impact on many lives. His legacy as an actor and humanitarian lives on.
FAQs
What was Hugh O’Brian’s real name?
Hugh O’Brian’s real name was Hugh Charles Krampe.
How old was Hugh when he became a Marine drill instructor?
He was just 17 years old.
What TV show made Hugh O’Brian famous?
He became famous for playing Wyatt Earp in “The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp.”
When did Hugh O’Brian get married?
He married Virginia Barber in 2006.
Did Hugh O’Brian have any children?
Yes, he had a son named Hugh Krampe Jr.
What was Hugh O’Brian’s net worth?
His net worth was $5 million.
What organization did Hugh start to help young people?
He started the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) program.
What sports did Hugh enjoy in high school?
He enjoyed football, basketball, wrestling, and track.
When did Hugh O’Brian pass away?
He passed away on September 5, 2016.
