About the FounderThe Freedom to Choose - A Message from Hugh O’Brian
Unfortunately, a very small number of our young people seem to attract most of the news. They are in the public eye because they have stolen cars, vandalized schools, created disturbances—in some way rebelled against society. These headline-makers represent only a small part of our teenage population. It is a fact that 98.7 percent of our young people are law-abiding, constructive citizens. There is too much focus on the negative. It is time we accent the positive—pat the good guys and gals on the back— let them know there are rewards for being responsible members of the community.
I do NOT believe we are all born equal — CREATED equal in the eyes of God, YES — but physical and emotional differences, parental guidance, varying environments, being in the right place at the right time, all play a role in enhancing or limiting an individual’s development. But I DO believe every man and woman, if given the opportunity and encouragement to recognize his or her own potential, regardless of background, has the freedom to choose in our world. Will an individual be a taker or a giver in life? Will that person be satisfied merely to exist, or seek a meaningful purpose? Will he or she dare to dream the impossible dream?
I believe every person is created as the steward of his or her own destiny with great power for a specific purpose: to share with others, through service, a reverence for life in a spirit of love.
About Hugh O’Brian
Motion picture and television star Hugh O’Brian has mastered his craft across the entire spectrum of show business. But with all his success he has never lost sight of his civic and philanthropic responsibilities. O’Brian has chosen to use his popularity to motivate others for a worthy cause, and to reinvest his good fortune by working tirelessly to develop projects to benefit young people. He is the founder of Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY), organized in 1958. HOBY’s vision is to motivate and empower individuals to make a positive difference within our global society through understanding and action based on effective and compassionate leadership.
The Early Years
Becoming a star was not always O’Brian’s ambition; he almost became a lawyer. Born April 19, 1925 in Rochester, New York (as Hugh C. Krampe), O’Brian attended school at New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois, and Kemper Military School in Booneville, Missouri. In high school, his sports activities were divided among football, basketball, wrestling and track, with O’Brian winning letters in all four sports. After a semester at the University of Cincinnati with studies charted toward a law career, O’ Brian enlisted in the Marine Corps at age 17. He became the youngest drill instructor in the Corps’ history, and during his four year service won a coveted Fleet appointment to The Naval Academy. After passing the entrance exams, he declined the appointment, intending to enroll at Yale to study law.
After receiving honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, O’Brian went to Los Angeles where he planned to earn money for his Yale tuition. There he met Hollywood movie stars Ruth Roman and Linda Christian, who introduced him to a little theater group. When a leading man became ill, O’ Brian substituted. Originally, he felt the acting experience might be helpful in his legal career; however, he got such good reviews in Somerset Maugham’s play "Home and Beauty" that he decided to enroll at UCLA and continue his theater appearances as an avocation while continuing his quest for a college education. About a year later, Ida Lupino saw one of his performances and signed him to play his first starring role in the film "Young Lovers," which Lupino directed. This bought him a contract with Universal Studios. During his first year under contract, he enrolled at Los Angeles City College and managed to amass 17 college credits in addition to making five pictures at Universal.
Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp
O’ Brian left Universal after three years to guest star in numerous television shows and in such films as "Broken Lance" and "No Business Like Show Business." Though O’Brian has appeared in hundreds of television shows and movies, there is one role with which he is immediately identified: that of frontier lawman Wyatt Earp. O’Brian played the lead role in the "Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp" on ABC television from 1955-61. Shortly after the series debuted in 1955 as the "first adult western," it became the top-rated show on television, and O’Brian became a much-discussed talent. During its seven-year run, "Wyatt Earp" always placed in the top 10 television shows in the nation.
Broadway and More
In 1972-73, O’Brian starred in the action series, "Search." He also starred on Broadway in "Destry Rides Again," "First Love," and in the Broadway revival of "Guys and Dolls." O’Brian also played the starring role in the national company of "Cactus Flower" and appeared in "The Odd Couple," "The Tender Trap," "A Thousand Clowns," and "Plaza Suite." He has been a guest on numerous television and radio shows including the Today Show, the Larry King and Jim Bohanan Shows, Charlie Rose’s Nightwatch and The Pat Sajak Show. Other credits include "The Shootist," "Killer Force," "Game of Death," "Twins," and numerous appearances on "Fantasy Island," "Love Boat," the T.V. series "Paradise," "Gunsmoke II," "Murder, She Wrote," "L.A. Law," and a Kenny Rogers Gambler IV movie, "The Luck of the Draw: The Gambler Returns," and “Wyatt Earp: Return to Tombstone” – a made-for-TV feature movie.
Today
Now retired from acting, O’Brian continues to concentrate on the organization he founded in 1958, Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY). O’Brian lives in a hilltop home overlooking Beverly Hills. In June 2006, he was married for the first time to longtime partner Virginia Barber. Still extremely active in his eighties, his hobbies include sailing, swimming, and tennis. To contact Hugh O’Brian, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 310-474-4370.
Go to Hugh O'Brian's Website>>
Awards
2006 Excellence in Education Award, National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC)
2003 "Spirit of America" Award, National Council for the Social Studies
2002 Humanitarian Award, Lions Clubs International
2002 Distinguished Service Award, National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP)
2000 Lifetime Achievement in Philanthropy, National Society of Fund Raising Executives, Greater San Fernando Valley Chapter
2000 Teddy Roosevelt Youth Leadership Development Award (the first given), Rocky Mountain College
2000 Certificate of Merit, Freedoms Foundation
2000 "Lifesaver" Award, The Thalians
2000 "Champions of Children" Award, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
2000 Ellis Island Medal of Honor Award, The National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations Foundation, Inc. (NECO)
1998 Meritorious Public Service Citation, the highest civilian award given by the U.S. Department of the Navy
1997 "Treasures of Los Angeles" Award, Central City Association of Los Angeles (CCA)
1997 "1996 Man of the Year" Award, KNX Newsradio
1995 Vision Award, ESA International (Epsilon Sigma Alpha)
1995 "Hearts at Work" Award of Honor
1995 "Foundation Fellow," Ohio District Kiwanis Foundation
1994 American Celtic Globe Humanitarian Award, ICCUSA (Ireland Chamber of Commerce)
1994 Private Enterprise Exemplar Medal, Freedoms Foundation
1993 "The Real Top Gun" Award, HOBY Board of Trustees & National Office Staff
1993 Lifetime Achievement Award, Franklin Mint
1992 Western Heritage Wrangler Award, Great Western Performers Hall of Fame
1990 Lifetime Achievement Award, Los Angeles Business Council
1989 60th Annual American Education Award, American Association of School Administrators (AASA)
1988 Delaware State Federation of Women’s Clubs
1987 Holiday Project Award, San Francisco, CA
1987 General William Booth International Humanitarian Award, Salvation Army
1987 American Education Award, American Association of School Administrators
1986 Outstanding Love & Concern, General Federation of Women’s Clubs
1986 Ambassador Award, U.S. Jaycees
1985 Semper Fidelis Award, U.S. Marine Corps
1984 National Family of Man Award (the first given), Family Counseling Service
1984 Pat O’Brien Memorial Award (the first given), University of Notre Dame Club, Chicago
1983 Special Award for Philanthropy, National Society of Fund Raising Executives
1982 Outstanding Support to the Youth of America, U.S. Jaycees
1980 Silver Helmet Award, AMVETS
1979 Service to Mankind Award, Hollywood Sertoma Club
1978 Governor’s Award, State of Ohio
1976 District of Columbia Humanitarian Award
1976 American Patriotic Award, VFW
1975 Leadership Award
1974 Globe and Anchor Award, National Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation
1974 George Washington Honor Medal, Freedom Foundation, Valley Forge
1973 Golden Plate Award, American Academy of Achievement
1971 Freedom Through Knowledge Award, NASA
Honorary Degrees
2000 Doctor of Public Service, The George Washington University, Washington, DC
1991 Doctor of Humane Letters, Green Mountain College, Poultney, Vermont
1991 Doctor of Humane Letters, Bloomsburg University, Bloomsburg, PA 1991
1987 Doctor of Public Service, University of Denver, Denver, Colorado
1986 Doctor of Laws, St. John’s University, Jamaica, NY
1986 Doctor of Humane Letters, Lebanon Valley College, Annville, PA
1986 Doctor of Humane Letters, St. Mary of the Plains, Dodge City, KS
