John B. “Jack” O’Brien (December 13, 1884 – August 15, 1936) was an American actor and film director of the silent era. He appeared in 88 films between 1909 and 1936. He also directed 53 films between 1914 and 1926.
O’Brien was born in Roanoke, Virginia. He attended St. John’s in Queens and was planning on becoming a lawyer. However, Daniel Frohman persuaded him to change his mind and try a stage career instead.
He performed as a juvenile lead for the Augustus Thomas Company, beginning with the play Alabama, and later for Essanay Studios. He also worked as a cameraman for Broncho Billy Anderson and wrote scenarios for Essanay.
In July 1911, O’Brien was lured away from Essanay to direct the film The Life of Buffalo Bill, featuring Buffalo Bill himself. According to the book Buffalo Bill on the Silver Screen: The Films of William F. Cody, O’Brien had to shoot the film while the Wild West show was on tour.
Some sources state he worked on D. W. Griffith’s ground-breaking epic The Birth of a Nation. O’Brian directed for Famous Players and later Metro Pictures.
He died in Hollywood, California, on August 15, 1936. He was 51.