Born in New York City. A veteran of vaudeville and the legitimate stage, he has played character parts in numerous Hollywood films from the late 30s, usually a sincere, folksy type. He debuted on Broadway as the director of Button Your Lip in 1943 as "Sgt. Arthur O'Connell." He also directed 1945's Brighten the Corner. As a Broadway performer, he was in the rivivals of Anna Christie and Golden Boy (both 1952), and Picnic (1953), Lunatics and Lovers (1954) and Comes a Day (1958). He appeared largely uncredited in films until the early 1950s. Notable screen credits include PICNIC (1955), THE MAN IN THE GRAY FLANNEL SUIT, THE PROUD ONES, THE SOLID GOLD CADILLAC and BUS STOP (all 1956), APRIL LOVE (1957), VOICE IN THE MIRROR (1958), GIDGET, OPERATION PETTICOAT and ANATOMY OF A MURDER (and 1959), THE GREAT IMPOSTOR and CIMARRON (1960), POCKETFUL OF MIRACLES (1961), FOLLOW THAT DREAM (1962), 7 FACES OF DR. LAO (1964), THE GREAT RACE (1965), FANTASTIC VOYAGE (1966), SUPPOSE THEY GAVE A WAR AND NOBODY CAME? (1970), BEN and THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE (both 1972), WICKED, WICKED (1973), HUCKLEBERRY FINN (1974) and his last film THE HIDING PLACE (1975). O'Connell appeared frequently on television from 1950 until 1975.  Nominated for Supporting Actor 1955: PICNIC  Nominated for Supporting Actor 1959: ANATOMY OF A MURDER 2 nominations