John Breen

John Breen

Deceased · Born: Nov 13, 1906 · Died: Aug 10, 1972

Personal Details

BornNov 13, 1906 New York, USA

Biography

John Breen, a remarkably skilled thespian, frequently flew under the radar of the general public owing to his understated physical appearance and effortless, curly locks, which seemed to blend seamlessly into the background. Nonetheless, he managed to sustain a consistent and respectable career in the film industry spanning from the 1930s to the early 1950s, typically assuming supporting roles such as ordinary townspeople, courtroom onlookers, or patrons of a local watering hole.

As the 1950s unfolded, Breen underwent a significant career shift, transitioning from the silver screen to the small screen, where he thrived and continued to make appearances in films, with a notable emphasis on courtroom scenes. Throughout this period, he made a lasting impact in early television dramas, showcasing his versatility and talent in a range of roles.

Notable appearances include his contributions to the popular television series "Dangerous Assignment" in 1950, "Screen Directors Playhouse" in 1955, and "Adventures of Superman" in 1952, further solidifying his reputation as a talented and accomplished actor.

By the late 1950s, it became increasingly evident that Brian Keith Breen, a talented actor, had discovered his sweet spot in the realm of television westerns, where he effortlessly took on a wide range of roles, from humble waiters to charming townspeople, his versatility and adaptability allowing him to thrive in the fast-paced world of television production, often finding himself working alongside lower-budget companies such as ZIV and Four Star productions, where his talent and dedication were valued and nurtured.

Noted television personality, Breen, experienced a remarkable surge in his professional trajectory throughout the early 1960s, with a consistent stream of engagements on esteemed programs such as "Bonanza", which premiered in 1959, and "Gunsmoke", which had debuted five years prior in 1955.

In addition to his recurring roles on these iconic western series, Breen made memorable appearances in other notable western productions, including "The Virginian", which aired in 1962, "The Rifleman", which first aired in 1958, "The Big Valley", which premiered in 1965, and "Cimarron Strip", which debuted in 1967.

As the decade drew to a close, Breen's illustrious career, marked by numerous triumphs and milestones, eventually came to a close in 1968, a testament to his enduring impact on the world of television.

Career

{"id":81907,"title":"Ice Station Zebra","year":"1968","character":"Bar Patron (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/ice-station-zebra","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_81907.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_81907.jpg"},"released":1}
1968
Ice Station Zebra
Ice Station Zebra as Bar Patron (uncredited)
{"id":82083,"title":"Gambit","year":"1966","character":"Cafe Patron (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/gambit-1966","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/55ahk9mp4d70.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/55ahk9mp4d70.jpg"},"released":1}
1966
Gambit
Gambit as Cafe Patron (uncredited)
{"id":22568,"title":"A Big Hand for the Little Lady","year":"1966","character":"Barfly (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/a-big-hand-for-the-little-lady","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_22568.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_22568.jpg"},"released":1}
A Big Hand for the Little Lady
A Big Hand for the Little Lady as Barfly (uncredited)
{"id":32372,"title":"Inside Daisy Clover","year":"1965","character":"Crew Member (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/inside-daisy-clover","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_32372.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_32372.jpg"},"released":1}
1965
Inside Daisy Clover
Inside Daisy Clover as Crew Member (uncredited)
{"id":65916,"title":"Twilight of Honor","year":"1963","character":"Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/twilight-of-honor","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_65916.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_65916.jpg"},"released":1}
1963
Twilight of Honor
Twilight of Honor as Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
{"id":9291,"title":"How the West Was Won","year":"1962","character":"Waiter (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/how-the-west-was-won","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/4rt5cn9bdu20.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/4rt5cn9bdu20.jpg"},"released":1}
1962
How the West Was Won
How the West Was Won as Waiter (uncredited)
{"id":796,"title":"To Kill a Mockingbird","year":"1962","character":"Juror (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/to-kill-a-mockingbird","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/74amvjs5i7n0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/74amvjs5i7n0.jpg"},"released":1}
To Kill a Mockingbird
To Kill a Mockingbird as Juror (uncredited)
{"id":96370,"title":"Terror in a Texas Town","year":"1958","character":"Townsman","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/terror-in-a-texas-town","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_96370.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_96370.jpg"},"released":1}
1958
{"id":94740,"title":"Chicago Confidential","year":"1957","character":"","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/chicago-confidential","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_94740.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_94740.jpg"},"released":1}
1957
{"id":82447,"title":"Footsteps in the Night","year":"1957","character":"Salesman (Uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/footsteps-in-the-night","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_82447.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_82447.jpg"},"released":1}
Footsteps in the Night
Footsteps in the Night as Salesman (Uncredited)
{"id":82486,"title":"There's Always Tomorrow","year":"1956","character":"","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/theres-always-tomorrow","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_82486.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_82486.jpg"},"released":1}
1956
{"id":14865,"title":"Somebody Up There Likes Me","year":"1956","character":"Hearing Specatator (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/somebody-up-there-likes-me-1956","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/2hadcophtchg.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/2hadcophtchg.jpg"},"released":1}
Somebody Up There Likes Me
Somebody Up There Likes Me as Hearing Specatator (uncredited)
{"id":67124,"title":"It's Always Fair Weather","year":"1955","character":"Pedestrian (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/its-always-fair-weather-1955","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_67124.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_67124.jpg"},"released":1}
1955
It's Always Fair Weather
It's Always Fair Weather as Pedestrian (uncredited)
{"id":67106,"title":"Illegal","year":"1955","character":"Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/illegal-1955","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_67106.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_67106.jpg"},"released":1}
Illegal
Illegal as Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
{"id":67372,"title":"Broken Lance","year":"1954","character":"Townsman (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/broken-lance","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/6fh02jq8jk40.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/6fh02jq8jk40.jpg"},"released":1}
1954
Broken Lance
Broken Lance as Townsman (uncredited)
{"id":10565,"title":"How to Marry a Millionaire","year":"1953","character":"Cook (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/how-to-marry-a-millionaire","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/1v69km9f4vgo.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/1v69km9f4vgo.jpg"},"released":1}
1953
How to Marry a Millionaire
How to Marry a Millionaire as Cook (uncredited)
{"id":67988,"title":"Hellgate","year":"1952","character":"Prisoner (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/hellgate-1952","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_67988.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_67988.jpg"},"released":1}
1952
Hellgate
Hellgate as Prisoner (uncredited)
{"id":67958,"title":"Rancho Notorious","year":"1952","character":"Barfly (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/rancho-notorious","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_67958.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_67958.jpg"},"released":1}
Rancho Notorious
Rancho Notorious as Barfly (uncredited)
{"id":35407,"title":"Room for One More","year":"1952","character":"","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/room-for-one-more","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_35407.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_35407.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":22345,"title":"High Noon","year":"1952","character":"Church Member (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/high-noon","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/2ifk8c96ge30.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/2ifk8c96ge30.jpg"},"released":1}
High Noon
High Noon as Church Member (uncredited)
{"id":68253,"title":"Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet the Invisible Man","year":"1951","character":"Trainer (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/bud-abbott-and-lou-costello-meet-the-invisible-man","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/6e4pgqpc39l0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/6e4pgqpc39l0.jpg"},"released":1}
1951
{"id":68251,"title":"A Place in the Sun","year":"1951","character":"Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/a-place-in-the-sun","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_68251.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_68251.jpg"},"released":1}
A Place in the Sun
A Place in the Sun as Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
{"id":32513,"title":"On Dangerous Ground","year":"1951","character":"Waiter (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/on-dangerous-ground","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_32513.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_32513.jpg"},"released":1}
On Dangerous Ground
On Dangerous Ground as Waiter (uncredited)
{"id":31843,"title":"He Ran All the Way","year":"1951","character":"Co-Worker (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/he-ran-all-the-way","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_31843.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_31843.jpg"},"released":1}
He Ran All the Way
He Ran All the Way as Co-Worker (uncredited)
{"id":68802,"title":"The Furies","year":"1950","character":"Party Guest (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-furies","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_68802.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_68802.jpg"},"released":1}
1950
The Furies
The Furies as Party Guest (uncredited)
{"id":173903,"title":"Ringside","year":"1949","character":"Fight Spectoator (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/ringside-1949","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_173903.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_173903.jpg"},"released":1}
1949
Ringside
Ringside as Fight Spectoator (uncredited)
{"id":69731,"title":"Thunder Mountain","year":"1947","character":"Waiter (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/thunder-mountain","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_69731.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_69731.jpg"},"released":1}
1947
Thunder Mountain
Thunder Mountain as Waiter (uncredited)
{"id":67918,"title":"Monsieur Verdoux","year":"1947","character":"Pedestrian (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/monsieur-verdoux","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/2r4lh510mctg.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/2r4lh510mctg.jpg"},"released":1}
Monsieur Verdoux
Monsieur Verdoux as Pedestrian (uncredited)
{"id":14712,"title":"It Happened on Fifth Avenue","year":"1947","character":"Man Tossing Pudding (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/it-happened-on-fifth-avenue","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_14712.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_14712.jpg"},"released":1}
It Happened on Fifth Avenue
It Happened on Fifth Avenue as Man Tossing Pudding (uncredited)
{"id":70239,"title":"The Jade Mask","year":"1945","character":"Police Officer (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-jade-mask","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_70239.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_70239.jpg"},"released":1}
1945
The Jade Mask
The Jade Mask as Police Officer (uncredited)
{"id":70519,"title":"Hollywood Canteen","year":"1944","character":"Soldier (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/hollywood-canteen","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_70519.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_70519.jpg"},"released":1}
1944
Hollywood Canteen
Hollywood Canteen as Soldier (uncredited)
{"id":71347,"title":"For Me and My Gal","year":"1942","character":"Soldier (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/for-me-and-my-gal","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_71347.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_71347.jpg"},"released":1}
1942
For Me and My Gal
For Me and My Gal as Soldier (uncredited)
{"id":30550,"title":"Yankee Doodle Dandy","year":"1942","character":"Soldier (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/yankee-doodle-dandy","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/2e9e3q65eb80.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/2e9e3q65eb80.jpg"},"released":1}
Yankee Doodle Dandy
Yankee Doodle Dandy as Soldier (uncredited)
{"id":14419,"title":"I Wake Up Screaming","year":"1941","character":"Sidewalk passerby (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/i-wake-up-screaming","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_14419.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_14419.jpg"},"released":1}
1941
I Wake Up Screaming
I Wake Up Screaming as Sidewalk passerby (uncredited)
{"id":794,"title":"Gone with the Wind","year":"1939","character":"Townsman (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/gone-with-the-wind","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/26jfukjpq1gg.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/26jfukjpq1gg.jpg"},"released":1}
1939
Gone with the Wind
Gone with the Wind as Townsman (uncredited)
{"id":72518,"title":"The Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse","year":"1938","character":"Spectator at Robbery (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-amazing-dr-clitterhouse","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_72518.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_72518.jpg"},"released":1}
1938
The Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse
The Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse as Spectator at Robbery (uncredited)