Bryan Jay O'Byrne (February 6, 1931 – December 4, 2009) was an American film and television character actor and acting coach. His credits include numerous television shows, films and many television commercials. Biography Early life O'Byrne was born on February 6, 1931, in Plattsburgh, New York, to Elmer and Bessie M. Ducatte O'Byrne. He was of Irish descent. O'Byrne attended St. Peter's Elementary School and Plattsburgh High School. He received his bachelor's degree from Plattsburgh State. He had one marriage. His only son, Sean Kevin O'Byrne, died young. Acting career O'Byrne had served in the United States Army before becoming an elementary school teacher. He later moved to New York City to pursue acting. O'Byrne successfully entered the profession after starring in the Broadway production of Duel of Angels opposite actress Vivien Leigh in the late 1950s. O'Byrne studied acting under Stella Adler and dance with Martha Graham. He resided in the same New York apartment building as actors James Farentino and Marlon Brando, befriending both of them early in their careers. O'Byrne soon moved to Los Angeles to pursue opportunities in film and television. O'Byrne credits during his career included numerous film and television roles. The Hollywood Reporter described many of his characters as "quiet, milquetoast." Additionally, he appeared in more than 200 television commercials. He was particular active within the television industry during the 1960s and 1970s. In 1962 O'Byrne appeared as Ned Carlin on the TV western The Virginian in the episode titled "The Accomplice." He appeared in six episodes of Get Smart as Hodgkins, the assistant to the Chief. O'Byrne played Robin's high school principal in the 1960s Batman television series. He regularly appeared as a mortician in The Munsters, as well as the series Occasional Wife, in which he played the "Man in the Middle," and as Mr. Beasley, the mailman, in Blondie. He made a guest appearance on Perry Mason in 1965 as murder victim Horace Lehigh in "The Case of the Baffling Bug." His other lengthy television credits included guest appearances on Alfred Hitchcock Presents, My Three Sons,The Cara Williams Show, Murder, She Wrote, The Bob Newhart Show, Happy Days, The Bill Cosby Show, The Partridge Family, Sanford and Son and Gunsmoke. O'Byrne's film credits included Spaceballs, Gunfight in Abilene, Marnie, The Shakiest Gun in the West, The Million Dollar Duck, Gus, Love at First Bite, The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again and