Happy St. Patrick's Day

The Archive of American Television is getting in the St. Paddy’s Day spirit by recognizing some of the most beloved Irish-American television greats. So, if green beer isn’t your thing, but you’d still like to celebrate, EMMYTVLEGENDS.ORG presents a few Irishmen (and women) who deserve some recognition.




Carroll O’Connor: All in the Family star Carroll O'Connor used the stage name George Roberts in the 1950s, until famed Irish actor Cyril Cusack convinced him to reclaim his name and embrace his Irish heritage!


Rue McClanahan: She may have grown up in rural Oklahoma but Rue McClanahan’s Irish name gives away her background. If you find yourself missing Blanche Devereaux, as we often do here, watch her interview clip below.


Ron Howard: In addition to his many impressive television credits, including producing and narrating Arrested Development, and starring in The Andy Griffith Show and Happy Days, Ron Howard directed the feature film Far and Away getting back in touch with his Irish roots. He got cast as "Opie" on The Andy Griffith Show after appearing on the General Electric Theater show "Mr. O"Malley," where he got a plug from host Ronald Reagan.


Phil Donahue: Born into a churchgoing Irish-Catholic family, Phil Donahue continued the tradition by becoming one of the “fighting Irish” at the University of Notre Dame.


The proud Irishman and much beloved Hollywood Reporter force of journalism, Steve Brennan, penned the definitive volume on the intersection of Ireland and Hollywood, “Emeralds in Tinseltown,” which you can find here.

Other television legends you can find in the Archive with Irish roots are:

Steve Allen
Tim Conway
Bob Costas
Roy E. Disney
Mike Douglas
Sharon Gless
Bob McGrath
Jim McKay
Ed McMahon
Anne Meara (in an interview with husband/comedy partner Jerry Stiller)
Mary Tyler Moore
Regis Philbin
Andy Rooney
Tim Russert
Dennis Weaver