Donald O'Connor's Dark History

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[@mariekastler5391]

He took all that misery and made it his business to "Make 'Em Laugh". Life is Full of reasons to become cynical and mean, but Donald was able to remain grateful and push on. I call that a Win for an indominable human! His second marriage lasted until his death and his family reported that his last words were a joke, thanking "the Academy" for the lifetime achievement award they would, eventually, award him. Humor is the Crown of coping mechanisms❣️

[@vanessahenry7238]

Thank you for the extra information. In theatre classes, three of us did three songs from SITR: Make Em Laugh, Good Morning and Singing in the Rain. Donald O'Connor was still our favourite, sorry to hear he had such a tough life.

[@LilyUnicorn]

Humour...crown of what now? Hold up. Let me tell robin williams that before he committed suicide. That man had more humour in his pinky than donald o connor has his entire body. Humour can be nasty and mean. It can be therapeutic. It can be truth disguised in laughs. It could be someone venting. It could be someone who is s complete prick. It could be someone having fun. But it is not the crown of anything.

[@mogamadgreyson143]

What a darling he was...🎉🎉🎉

[@paulshaffer9674]

And the " Francis " movies.

[@luiszuluaga6575]

That’s why when you look at the classic icon for theatrical performance you have the happy and sad face which dates back to the beginning of stage performance

[@user-qg5wg9ut2o]

It never ceases to amaze me how devastatingly sad the backstories of the funniest comedians are .

[@dragonniz]

Maybe that's why they're the ones who truly know the value of a good laugh

[@ceceliaclarke]

Donald O'Connor had a wonderful face, with a generous, kind expression. Even still photos of that face can bring something like joy into our lives.

[@etherealenergy9471]

He has Irish smiling eyes when he smiles.

[@ceceliaclarke]

@@etherealenergy9471 Yes. Those light-colored eyes with the dark rim...very beautiful. And his smile came through those eyes. Thank you for your comment.

[@etherealenergy9471]

@@ceceliaclarke Your very welcome he was a handsome man.

[@someone3187]

That's not a "dark" story, it's a tragic story and Donald seems to be a nice guy.

[@erichvonmolder9310]

Yes, tragic is the appropriate word.

[@narharjoshi7150]

i was just going to write the same

[@etherealenergy9471]

Yes, he was attractive, and I see the sweetness in him.

[@safiremorningstar]

Tragic definitely, only darkness is in what nearly killed him... The real tragedy would have been if the drinking or the drugs whatever he was doing had succeeded in killing him that would have indeed been dark... I can save for myself that I'm glad the darkness didn't get him and its people think of darkness is being all these bad things happening to a person but the real darkness is what's inside you the way you handle that situation it's not a dark story people say it's a tragic story and that it is but tragedy can lead to the darkest of times in a person's life he dealt with it and he recovered from it, like the song goes"He started all over again".

[@safiremorningstar]

He was... And like a lot of nice people he ended up getting batted around like some cat toy by life... But it's how he get got back from the darkest points in his life they're more interesting than anything else, we could be reading about how he tragically ended his life rather than how he celebrated his life by getting his life back in order.., They say nice guys finish last, well you know finish has two meanings... Think about that what you meaning of finish one is the negative and the other is a positive if you look up the definitions you will probably only find one of the two definitions but if you look it up in the original form of the word you will find that the connotation can you mean a positive it all depends on how you look at.

[@EVERGLOW828]

He had such kind eyes

[@acalia_sariah]

I didn't know about most of this stuff. He pushed through, that's for sure. He deserves so much respect. He was amazing 🤍

[@lunallena5594]

I saw him in an episode of The Nanny, and he was great! He was much older when he passed away. He dealt with the tragedies better than some people, and that makes him a champ. RIP🙏.

[@barbq1976]

He was an absolute Hoot in an episode of Frasier too.

[@dmoore8595]

Man, he just suffered. I want to cry for him. I hope there was eventually a rainbow the storm.

[@beverlywebster3875]

I am so sorry he went through that. I was very fond of him growing up. He made my life happy when I watched him in movies. He blessed people. I hope he knew that. 🙏

[@Gordzillion]

I had no idea he had so many struggles when I was introduced to him at the Kennedy Center in DC around 1982. What an inspiration!

[@michelmurphy7152]

Love Donald O'Conner. He was so talented. I didn't know about his difficult life. Sounds like he was a strong individual. ❤

[@miguelalvarado2673]

Faith and gratitude helped Donald overcome his tragic life ❤.

[@audionmusic2787]

Spoke at my college in 1986. Impressive charisma. Impossible to dislike him.

[@zenmkultra]

Title makes it sound like he did something evil, meanwhile it's just a story of his sad and unlucky fate

[@luckyme0888]

Yeah you are correct. Even I got the impression from the title that he's a bad person when he's the sad person in the story.

[@monicawarner4091]

​@@luckyme0888 • Me too!

[@someone3187]

Exactly. Misleading and reputation damiging title.

[@djdissi]

sorry, I didn't interpret it that way at all

[@danamy5174]

This is not the first time they do something like that unfortunately, an even more misleading title and script for a video was their "The most deranged love triangle" totally awful

[@floswason8776]

He and Fred Astaire two best dancers in movies l loved his movies didn’t know he had so many sad times in his life RIP Donald O’Connor

[@vanessashaw5365]

OMG! Dance actually saved him. Imagine if he hadn’t discovered it?

[@muffassa6739]

I had no idea that he had so many horrible things happened to him.

[@susannelowman9738]

It's interesting that so many people who have come from abuse turn their lemons into lemonade.🙏❤️😊

[@mariaakras4382]

Wow what a tragic life. I really hope he was able to enjoy his life more after 1978.

[@doreensika837]

What a tragic life. Hope he had some happiness in end.

[@1sttvbn]

He did, he was buried on top of a hill, overlooking a river, with pine cones all around.

[@doreensika837]

@@1sttvbn 😂😂😂😂 the sopranos

[@1sttvbn]

@@doreensika837 😂

[@vwfhorses]

Very nice man. I met him in the mid 1980s at the reopening of a theatre in Sacramento

[@1870Coppelia]

Wow! What happened at the opening? What was he like to talk to? Please tell us more!

[@wlenore8071]

This guy was my favorite singing in the rain character what a sad story… I hope you had a happy ending

[@nievaconsing3344]

RIP 💐 🙏 Donald O'Connor & siblings ❤ 🕊 🇵🇭

[@charlescampbell3895]

Love the guy! A true entertainer!

[@TheMormonPower]

After divorcing, his wife took his child, and house, only leaving him with his dog...sounds like most divorces, at least he got his dog. 😨

[@worrywart1311]

And then the dog died.

[@straightfacts5352]

He didn't get THE dog. That dog left with the house and kids.

[@kellyshomemadekitchen]

Poor guy! But very admirable at the same time for his ability to make others laugh in spite of one tragedy after another. ♥️

[@bulletsxdame]

His first wife looked like Amber Heard.

[@imweakfordeaky]

Omg, you're right!

[@ronammologist16]

Born in the mid 50s I grew up with his movies. Donald O Conner was a genius. I remember his "Francis the talking muel moves with joy.

[@Dimi374]

I had a chance to see him in ShowBoat in the late 70’s in Milwaukee, he was magnificent and on top of his game!!❤

[@LizvonDoemming-bp5pp]

My heart goes out to Donald~

[@georgewilkie3580]

Donald O'Connor was a great multi-talented entertainer. Comedy, Dance, Song, Donald did it all, and did it outstandingly well. God Bless his Soul, we miss Donald O'Conner.

[@charitysheppard4549]

Your should do one on actor Audie Murphy. His life was one filled with greatness and deep despair. An American war hero turned actor.

[@KatharineOsborne]

Wasn’t there a movie made about him?

[@charitysheppard4549]

@@KatharineOsborne yes. He stared in a WWII movie that outlined his war service and why he won so many medals for bravery. After the war, he became a severe alcoholic, probably from PTSD, but he continued to make war movies and westerns.

[@patriciaalley1562]

Had the honor of performing with him. Poetry in motion. Oozed charm and talent. Great comic timing as well.

[@beccaboo3040]

Oh bless him 😢

[@michaelmidax8108]

9 years ago when I was 19, my brothers and I were shooting hoops. I still remember that day vividly, literally to how I was laying, how my about-to-be 3 year old son was laying (head and neck resting on my left arm just below my shoulder). His lil brother was about to turn to turn 2 and he was laying on my right side, head rested on my collarbone. And the first thing I saw opening my eyes was the glow in the dark stars that I had put on my ceiling bcz they liked them and their mother had them on her ceiling. The sun shined in a way that would any sane person think that the day was going to be a beautiful one. And roughly 5 hrs after that we were smack dab in the middle of chaos. I was hit 3 times and the fear and adrenaline coursing through me was so potent until I went completely numb and I could feel anything but fear and confusion. Before I lost consciousness I saw my 2nd oldest brother died, followed by our youngest brother. My heart and soul was crushed to a fine dust. When I woke up 4 days later in the hospital, I thought it was just the next day. My doctors, nurses, the hospital chaplain, my mother, and the mother of my children (whom is now my wife), that not only was this day 4 days after what transpired and 3 of my brothers succumb to their injuries and died. With my second youngest brother dying about 3 hrs before I woke up. I tried desperately to not make a scene. But the deep pain within filled me to the point it came out as hollering that I could feel was from my heart. I was losing my mind, hurting so deeply and so terribly. And although this will sound selfish and immature given that I had two sons to raise, but in that moment I would've rather die. I became an addict and alcoholic trying to find the remedy of/to my pain. I was one of 8 sons and chaos came in without warning and announcements, now I'm one of the only 3 remaining sons of my/our mother. The loss of my brothers tormented me day and night, as I questioned God, the universe, etc why I didn't die that day or the 4 days that followed like my brothers. So I can truly sympathize with Mr. O'Connor. Bcz I knew how it feels to go through that. It is devastating

[@juliethompson340]

I am sorry for the loss of your brothers. But, I'm confused about your narrative. How could you play basketball with two small children in your arms. You say they were laying in your arms. What happened? Why were you in a coma for four days? How did you lose three of your brothers? Like I said, I'm sorry for the loss and pain that you and your family have endured.

[@candaceroberts3238]

You suffered survivors guilt. It’s not unusual after so many loses. Under those circumstances people react in many different ways. I hope you eventually got your life back together, you deserved it. You married and I hope that indicated that you did. Questioning God is not an unusual reaction either, we all have “why’s and it’s painful. I hope God has since blessed you.

[@rssmdb1]

An underrated performer. Absolutely loved “Make em laugh”

[@marilynaicardi1860]

He gave me so much joy through his work! I’m amazed that so much tragedy could have been overcome to allow him to bring such joy to so many! Thank you, Donald, I have always loved you! 💕💕💕

[@RiverSprite30]

Life was a lot harder back then.

[@artchem1]

Donald O' Conner must have been so strong as a SURVIVOR. He had more tragedy in his life; yet nobody would EVER guess by his contagious SMILE, and his Brilliant Acting!!! Watch Donald o' Conner dance.... He and free A stir could easily enjoy a duet .. Thank you Mr. Donald O' Conner for your GENIUS IN FILMS AND GUEST SPOTS ON TELEVISION. . REST IN PEACE OUR DEAR BRILLIANT SHOWMANSHIP. ☄🕯🎼🥀🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🇺🇸

[@j.j.1064]

What an amazing talent he had. I loved him.

[@nirmalsuki]

Donald O'Connor and Danny Kaye could have been brothers... both immensely talented men. RIP to both. Heroes forever in our hearts.

[@graceisamazing5493]

I loved him and Danny Kaye. Part of the greatest generation of performers.

[@Just.a.person59]

I’ve noticed a pattern, when men are the perpetrators of the abuse it always “He did X to her” but when then the wife and female partner is the the one responsible its covered as “reportedly”.

[@BowmanMoran]

He stopped to give me an autograph in Orlando, Florida in 1981. Really nice man!

[@GrannyDi276]

Loved him as a girl watching those old movies! His life was so sad, yet he uplifted us all!❤❤❤

[@MPaz-im7mu]

Thank you for this story. Donald was one of my favorite actor.

[@KevyNova]

He was a legend and made millions of people laugh without ever feeling sorry for himself.

[@michaelblazina5675]

Met him once at a restaurant in San Diego. He was exceptionally gracious and kind. Made an indelible impression on me.

[@taniasererviana3608]

Great dancer,super funny... His part in "The Nanny" was great. A reminder of the great talent he was.❤

[@karenrollins1469]

I always liked him what a sad life and yet he brought so much laughter

[@BeeWhistler]

Holy crap, my poor baby boy... I adore this guy and I never knew what he'd been through. I hope there was some happiness in there... Sometimes you have to take it in little pieces.

[@anthonydecarvalho652]

He was an enormous talent.

[@reneerichburg8023]

Wow I didn't know that 😢😮 BLESS HIS HEART ✝️✝️✝️🥹🥺 MAY HE REST EASY 🌹🌹🙏

[@patrickmccarthy7877]

More like a sad, unfortunate history.

[@DW-ut3fx]

This talented,man did that "make em laugh" scene in just one take. It was filmed from start to finish as one continous shot.

[@seasmacfarlane6418]

Donald O'connor was a kind and good man, and the absolute best dancer ever...better than Kelly or Astaire, but vastly underrated. Have a look at the video of him tapdancing on roller skates..... what a talent ❤❤❤❤❤

[@etherealenergy9471]

I agree he deserved more than what he got.

[@JohnHoulgate]

What a talent. "Make 'Em Laugh" was a hell of an achievement given his challenges.

[@desertdarlene]

When I first read the headline, I thought he did something bad. But, nothing that happened to him was his fault. He shows a lot of resilience.

[@michaelwhaley3063]

I had no idea, of course. Thank you for showing how amazing people can be. Donald amazed me every time I watched him in Singing in the Rain every time ( 150 views + coz my young daughters couldn't get enough of that film).

[@aliciarobertson4979]

I always loved him in the “Francis the talking mule” movies! There’s also a clip somewhere of him dancing alongside James Cagney. Both of them great tap dancers.

[@marynoonan6111]

He was a Fabulously talented actor singer dancer. He used to remind me a fair bit of Danny K

[@brandocalrissian3294]

Atleast that terrible woman left him the dog. I'm being serious. After my divorce i had nothing and i wished she would have left me the dogs. They're a huge emotional help when going through tragedy.

[@juleswins3]

If he got the dog he got the best end of the deal!

[@brysonstanley2178]

Donald O’Connor truly deserved so much better.

[@someonesomewhere1500]

The only flaw with this channel is we need MORE videos. Love this channel

[@stevenesbitt1656]

This is so sad!

[@matthewsamboy2792]

Fit as a Fiddle is an impossible performance. No one can do it. He and Kelley amazed me so much I can hardly believe it. It looks like C.G.I. I sing Fit as a Fiddle all the time because of them.

[@joansmith1195]

I didn't know about his many tragedies. I knew he was an alcoholic who later in life became clean and sober. He was a wonderful entertainer.

[@danahardin4647]

He's always been a favorite of mine. You just never know what the other fellow is going through.

[@PhantomFilmAustralia]

Many men who smile and give their all to make others laugh experience a slow, agonising misery, and do their crying on the inside.

[@emmap1159]

Robin Williams

[@erichvonmolder9310]

Tragic would be the appropriate word. He lived to 78. had four children, his 2nd marriage lasted many years until his death and did some good things, especially regarding alcoholism.

[@vincer7824]

You know you have light eyes when they look baby blue in *black and white photos* . Danny K went through a ton of suffering and still made a positive impact, inspiring.

[@carolyngenc5329]

He was the "Boyfriend" of Princess Margaret at one time.

[@QUINT34577]

Thanks for the cheery uplifting video

[@TheAzmountaineer]

Always enjoyed his performances. Last time I saw him was on The Nanny.

[@g.b569]

A lot of these stars have had such dark, sad and difficult lives. Hollywood has not changed from then to now. What I mean by this is the glamourized life that is portrayed and in reality there is so much darkness behind it.

[@777mantikor]

He was a great entertainer, beyond Singing in the Rain. Life is frequently a very difficult thing. Ain't none of us getting out alive ...

[@saravalentin8430]

So very sad but what a great actor and singer loved him 😢

[@user-vr6xm8lm1o]

There was another good thing in his life. He won a Golden Globe Award for "Singing in the Rain."

[@nodicore.]

I'm 16 and my mum still doesn't let me cross the road alone

[@mcnultyssobercompanion6372]

Without any shame I was sucked into this video title's description. Had no idea Donald O'Connor had a "dark history". And man in his number in "Singin' In the Rain" amazing. Talented guy, that Donald O'Connor.

[@lindaworthington4847]

A superb dancer and great performer.

[@danielanthonyestrada128]

Sounds like his clone shi lebouff is having troubles as well.

[@t.y.5565]

Wow, that is a lot! I had no idea. He will always be one of my fav and very talented "underrated" talents!

[@janetpaguilar5086]

He song touched so many people all over the world it seems people that impact our life go thru hell in their private life’s first.

[@wkrapek]

He made his life work. Good for him.

[@thisbandreallystix]

He guest-starred in the third season episode of Frasier titled "Crane Vs. Crane".

[@finolaomurchu8217]

I always loved him, what a man☘️🧚‍♂️🇮🇪

[@steveapelman1488]

The final insult to this great performer is that just about no one remembers him, and he was far better than Fred Astaire or Gene Kelly. I remember you Don...every time I hear thunder I know you're on stage tapping out a killer move.

[@dianacooper-havlik4115]

Tragic!

[@goobfilmcast4239]

He did a Cameo in the Movie "Ragtime" as a crooner singing "I Could Love a Million Girls". Terrific little turn of the (19th) Century ditty...

[@victorsilvester78]

He didn't have a tragic life. Donald O'connor had a mixed like with huge success, wealth and happiness along with some dreadful experience as well. As many of us do.

[@lynngraham8636]

Adorable, extremely competent performer who was underrated!

[@brianmccarthy5557]

Everybody has some bad times. Obviously his mother loved him. You missed that he owed my mother $0.40 cents he borrowed from her in the late 1940's for a cheeseburger, Coke and french fries at a casino in Gardena (just south of LA) where she worked, he was a regular and they were acquaintances. He never paid her back. Though, as I pointed out to her, she had a story she could tell for the next 50 years. Actually he was a pretty nice guy.

[@JohnDoe-pg9oq]

Beautiful man. I love his eyes.

[@judithl.morton9178]

Wow I never ever knew that and make of laugh she was so happy you would never have known that there was so much tragedy around him😢

[@creepy-kitty]

Won't take anything for granted??? Dude never did he was just handed a crappy deal was all!!

[@farothorma774]

My 6yo son perfoms that make them laugh bit very often. He's also a donald duck fan, so imagine his joy when i told him O'connor's first name. I think he might get into a tap dancing school pretty soon, just because of that song. I guess Mr O'connor would be happy about it, and i bet he would laugh 😊

[@dannydonnelly8345]

We have to consider all the time in between the terrible events, and even during the terrible events. He was a creator. And it had to have created a balance in his life, and most likely out weighed the tragedies. If we examine our own lives or anyone's lives, there is always always a measure of tragedies. I've come to conclude that we are always constantly looking for a "break the clouds,"during our lives.

[@annmatthews196]

How very sad. I truly enjoyed his movies. But never dreamed he had such a tragic life.