Maria O'Brien

Known for

Acting

Born

August 14, 1950

Birthplace

Los Angeles, California, USA

Died

February 24, 2026 (aged 75)

Biography

Maria O'Brien (August 14, 1950 – February 24, 2026) was an American actress and acting coach. She was the daughter of actors Edmond O'Brien and Olga San Juan, and sister of voice actor Brendan O'Brien. She was best known as a character actress, but she also had a recurring role on a few television series, such as Ave 43 and The Life and Times of Eddie Roberts. She was also an acting coach on soap operas, such as Days of Our Lives, Sunset Beach, and Passions.

Best known work

Murder, She Wrote

1984

Magnum, P.I.

1980

The Love Boat

1977

CHiPs

1977

Matlock

1986

The Incredible Shrinking Woman

1981

Protocol

1984

Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction

1997

Howard

2018

Smile

1975

Filmography

2018
Howard
as Maria (archive footage)
2018
Dead on Arrival
as Neighbor
2002
For the PeopleTV
as Judge (1 episode)
1999
Jack & JillTV
as Fortune Teller (1 episode)
1997
Beyond Belief: Fact or FictionTV
as Paranormal Investigator (segment "The Chess Game") (1 episode)
1997
Good Luck
as Peggy
1996
Suddenly SusanTV
as Maria (1 episode)
1992
In Sickness and in Health
as Nancy
1991
In a Stranger's Hand
as Paula
1990
In the Best Interest of the Child
as Carla
1989
Your Mother Wears Combat Boots
as Carla
1988
Promised a Miracle
1986
MatlockTV
as Juanita Martinez (2 episodes)
1984
Protocol
as Donna
1984
Murder, She WroteTV
as Lt. Abbe Esposito (1 episode)
1981
The Incredible Shrinking Woman
as Neighbor
1980
Magnum, P.I.TV
as Club Manager Applicant (1 episode)
1980
PSI Factor
1977
The Choirboys
as Carrier 2's Wife
1977
The Love BoatTV
as Rita Almerez (1 episode)
1977
CHiPsTV
as Patti Poncherello (1 episode)
1977
American Raspberry
as Air Puerto Rico Stewardess
1975
Smile
as Maria
1975
Shell Game
as Lola Ramirez