Veteran Film-TV Actor J. Pat O’Malley Dies

J. Pat O’Malley, a veteran character actor who appeared in scores of films, plays and television episodes, died Wednesday of a heart condition at his San Juan Capistrano home. He was 80.

Born in Ireland and educated in London, O’Malley worked in British vaudeville acts for a time before coming to Hollywood and getting a part as the heavy in 1937’s “Lassie Come Home.”

He appeared in numerous Broadway plays in the 1940s and early ‘50s, including “The Ten Little Indians,” “Of Thee I Sing” and “Dial M for Murder.”

O’Malley made frequent appearances in live television productions in the 1950s and dozens of filmed television episodes, including “My Three Sons,” “The Twilight Zone,” “My Favorite Martian” and “Gunsmoke.”

He appeared regularly with George Burns in the short-lived 1965 series “Wendy and Me,” as well as in Shirley Booth’s “Touch of Grace” eight years later.

He frequently did voices for Walt Disney animated characters and was featured in the 1951 production of “Alice in Wonderland.” He was the voice of both Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee, as well as the Walrus and the Carpenter in the film.

Among his feature film credits were “The Long, Hot Summer,” “Witness for the Prosecution,” “Mary Poppins,” “101 Dalmations” and “Hello Dolly.”

He is survived by his wife, Fay O’Malley; two children, Dennis Michael O’Malley and Sheila Patrick O’Malley, and two grandchildren.