Michael O'Keefe
Michael O’Keefe (born April 24, 1955) is an American actor known for roles in The Great Santini, Caddyshack, The Slugger’s Wife, and Roseanne. Learn about his life, acting journey, awards, and career highlights.
Introduction
Michael O’Keefe (born Raymond Peter O’Keefe, Jr., on April 24, 1955) is an American actor whose career spans film, television, and stage. He gained major recognition for his performance as Ben Meechum in The Great Santini, for which he earned an Academy Award nomination, and became a familiar face in films like Caddyshack and The Slugger’s Wife. Over the decades, he has also had prominent television roles, including on Roseanne.
Early Life and Family
Michael O’Keefe was born in Mount Vernon, New York, the oldest of seven children in an Irish-American family. Larchmont, New York and attended Mamaroneck High School.
From an early age, he was drawn to performance. He later studied acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and New York University, and holds an MFA in creative writing from Bennington College.
Career and Achievements
Breakthrough: The Great Santini & Oscar Nomination
O’Keefe’s breakthrough came in 1979 with The Great Santini, playing Ben Meechum, the eldest son in a family led by a domineering Marine father (played by Robert Duvall). His performance earned him a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and a Golden Globe nomination.
Cult Classic & Jump to Mainstream: Caddyshack and The Slugger’s Wife
In 1980, he starred as Danny Noonan in Caddyshack, a golf-comedy film that became a cult classic and remains one of his most recognized roles.
He also appeared in The Slugger’s Wife (1985) as Darryl Palmer, a baseball player whose life changes when he falls in love with a rock singer.
Diverse Film & Television Work
O’Keefe’s filmography is broad and varied. Some highlights:
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Split Image (1982) — a drama about a cult influence on a college student
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Ironweed (1987) — opposite Jack Nicholson
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The Pledge (2001) — a crime thriller
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Michael Clayton (2007) — supporting role in a legal thriller
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Frozen River (2008) — appeared as a state trooper
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American Violet (2008) — played Calvin Beckett
On television, he had a long-running role as Fred on Roseanne from 1993 to 1995. Life’s Work, Against the Law, King & Maxwell, Homeland, Sneaky Pete, Masters of Sex, among many guest roles on procedural dramas.
He also has substantial stage credits, including Fifth of July, Mass Appeal, Side Man, and Reckless.
Awards & Recognition
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Academy Award nomination — Best Supporting Actor, The Great Santini (1979)
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Golden Globe nomination — for the same performance
Personal Life & Interests
Michael O’Keefe was married to singer Bonnie Raitt from 1991 until their divorce in 1999. Emily Donahoe, and they have one son together.
Outside acting, he has practiced Zen Buddhism since 1981.
Notable Traits & Acting Style
O’Keefe is known for his versatility and ability to shift between protagonists, supporting characters, and morally complex roles. He brings emotional depth to his performances, especially in family dramas, character studies, and psychological narratives. Over the years, his body of work reflects both commercial films and more intimate independent projects.
He is one of those actors whose name might not always be top billed, but whose presence consistently enriches the projects he’s in.
Selected Quotes
While Michael O’Keefe is not primarily known for quotable aphorisms, some of his remarks (from interviews) reflect his approach and humility:
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On fame and career:
“Producers and movie studio people are not interested in me as they are in Kevin Costner or Tom Cruise. That’s just the fact of the matter.”
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On inspiration:
He once mentioned being struck by Five Easy Pieces as a young viewer, thinking “That is so cool. I would love to be able to do that.”
These lines show a self-aware, grounded perspective on the challenges of sustaining an acting career.
Lessons from Michael O’Keefe’s Path
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Build longevity through variety
O’Keefe avoided being pigeonholed by embracing roles across film, television, and stage. -
Depth over spotlight
Though he may not always receive top billing, his impactful work often comes from fully inhabiting supporting and emotionally rich roles. -
Stay true to craft, not fame
His comments suggest he focused on doing work that resonated with him, not chasing box office stardom. -
Adapt with the times
His continued presence in both older and newer series (e.g. Homeland, Sneaky Pete) shows an ability to evolve with changing media landscapes.