Biographie

Allegedly did not enjoy working with Gene Kelly while filming Chantons sous la pluie (1952), because he found him to be rather a tyrant on set.

In 1994, he and his wife, Gloria Noble, had a close brush with death. It was about four in the morning and he had just finished reading something in bed. All at once, the house started to shake (earthquake). The house started sliding off its foundation. Luckily, the house wedged up against a big tree and that kept it from crashing into a canyon.

Had to have three days bed rest after the "Make 'Em Laugh" sequence in Chantons sous la pluie (1952).

Posthumously inducted into the International Tap Dance Hall of Fame in 2004.

Judy Garland, whom he knew as a child, was one of his best friends.

Revivals are so popular now. But doing one would mean being out in cold, cold New York for a year, a year and a half," he said. "I'd rather do something where I go in and work a week, maybe three days. Get it done and come back home.

O'Connor quit the Francis series in 1955, saying, "When you've made six pictures and the mule still gets more fan mail than you do...".

In a brief statement, the family said that among O'Connor's last words was the following quip: "I'd like to thank the Academy for my lifetime achievement award that I will eventually get.".

[In 1998, on his Chantons sous la pluie (1952) co-star Gene Kelly] It's not easy working with a genius - but Gene was very patient with me.

[In 1992] I know what you're thinking, and the answer is yes. I can still leap over the furniture and dance on the wall. And recite 24 bars of that popular tongue twister "Moses Supposes".