Paul O'Brien

Paul O'Brien (born 14 April 1978) is a Logie Award-winning South African-born actor from Australia.

Biography

Paul O'Brien was born on 14 April 1978 in South Africa, and grew up in Australia as well Mauritius. He spent several years on the Gold Coast, with his brother, Chad and younger sister Taryn Lee. He attended first St Kevins in Benowa and then Somerset and Marymount Colleges. He spent a year studying for a building degree, was a chef, a model for Chadwicks and completed a radio presenting course before deciding that his ambitions were for an acting career. At the age of 21 he decided to move to Melbourne to pursue acting and to be with his parents who had moved there a couple of years earlier.

Personal life

O'Brien surfs, loves to cook, plays the guitar, composes songs, and plays the occasional game of golf. He is also involved in various charities, including the National Breast Cancer. The charity he chose for It Takes Two was a children's charity and O'Brien is more than happy to lend his name in support for helping others. His nickname in high school was 'Ace', and his family call him 'Paulie'.

Career

O'Brien tried his hand at Melbourne's comedy circuit whilst looking for acting work. He loves stand-up comedy, and says, "The adrenalin is amazing but acting is a job I could happily do for the rest of my life."

O'Brien has starred in a several short films, stage productions and had a small role in one feature, Parallels, a small independent Melbourne film directed by Ben Warner, but considers landing the role of Constable Jack Holden as his big break. Paul O'Brien won a Logie in 2006 and was again nominated for most popular actor in 2007 and 2008.

Home and Away

O'Brien made his first appearance on Home and Away as Constable Jack Holden on August 5, 2005, Episode 4020. He arrived with his brother Lucas Holden and Father Tony Holden. Jack soon fell for Martha McKenzie, and the two later married, only to divorce later in 2007. Jack then married Sam, however this did not last, as Jack was still in love with Martha, and Sam later committed suicide. Martha and Jack re-married after a heartfelt wedding as Martha was diagnosed with breast cancer. On the season finale of Home and Away 2008, Jack was shot in the heart by his fellow workmate Angelo. Jack was found dead by his father Tony at the end of the 2009 Series Return - his death made the cover of TV WEEK magazine [1] and was a big shock for Home and Away fans.

It Takes Two

In February 2008, O'Brien took part in It Takes Two, an Australian reality show in which celebrities compete against each other by singing. O'Brien was partnered with pop princess Jade MacRae. In week one, the pair sang 'Wonderwall' by Oasis, and received an overall score of 22/40. In week two, O'Brien sang 'Dance Floor Anthem' by Good Charlotte and his score was 25/40. In week three, O'Brien and MacRae dressed up as characters from The Rocky Horror Show. Judges' comments were mixed and O'Brien received a score of 19. In week four, O'Brien and MacRae sang 'Imagine' by John Lennon. The judges thought that O'Brien sang this song really well and gave him a score of 22. In week five, O'Brien sang Robert Palmer's 'Simply Irresistible'. His score was 23. In week six, O'Brien and MacRae sang Donna Summer's 'Hot Stuff', which the judges didn't like and gave him a low score of 19. In week seven, O'Brien and MacRae sang Bobby Darin's 'Mack the Knife’. The judges agreed that O'Brien suited singing Swing and said it was his best performance which gave him his best score of the series, 30. They even compared him to Frank Sinatra. Despite the low scores and poor comments from the judges, O'Brien and MacRae managed to get through to the finals and, in week eight, they sang two songs, Joe Cocker's 'Unchain My Heart' and Elvis Presley's 'All Shook Up.

Awards and nominations

Filmography

Television