Maria O’Brien, the longtime actress and cherished acting coach who guided generations of soap stars on “Days of Our Lives,” has died at 75. She passed on February 24, 2026, concluding a career of nearly sixty years across film, television, and theater.
Born on August 14, 1950, in Los Angeles, O’Brien grew up in a show-business family. Her father, Edmond O’Brien, earned an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for playing a slick publicist in 1954’s “The Barefoot Contessa,” while her mother, Olga San Juan, appeared in numerous musical comedies like “Are You with It?” and “One Touch of Venus.” Maria forged her own Hollywood path, with film roles in “Smile” (1975), “The Incredible Shrinking Woman” (1981), “Table for Five” (1983), and “Protocol” (1984).
TV viewers knew O’Brien from her guest spots on many well-known series. She appeared on “Murder, She Wrote,” “Magnum, P.I.,” “The Love Boat,” “L.A. Law,” “CHiPs,” “Good Morning, Miss Bliss,” and “Matlock” throughout the ’80s and ’90s. These roles placed her alongside stars such as Melanie Griffith, Lily Tomlin, Angela Lansbury, Tom Selleck, and Goldie Hawn.
O’Brien shifted into acting coaching in the late 1990s, joining the daytime dramas “Sunset Beach” and “Passions.” The transition became a defining chapter of her career. From 2007 until her retirement in 2022, she worked for 15 years as an acting coach on “Days of Our Lives”, guiding actors through emotionally complex and challenging scenes. Her off-camera influence shaped performances watched by millions of fans.
“Maria was an unsung hero in our industry,” said Eric Martsolf, who collaborated with her on both “Passions” and “Days of Our Lives.” “She brought light into every space she entered.”
Current members of the “Days of Our Lives” cast shared heartfelt tributes online after her passing. Robert Scott Wilson wrote that O’Brien’s “soul and unrelenting passion for the craft will never be forgotten.” Casey Moss, who portrays JJ, thanked her for making his “entrance into the world of storytelling” feel safe early in his career.
True O’Brien, the Daytime Emmy-winning actress who played Paige and is married to Moss, offered a deeply emotional remembrance. She said Maria’s “smile was contagious” and her “passion intoxicating,” expressing gratitude for “all the sessions we had together and for your undying commitment and love for the craft of acting.”
O’Brien also drew acclaim for her stage work. In 1990, she received a Drama-Logue award for her role in Jean Genet’s “The Maids” at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles, displaying her range beyond her screen appearances. The production highlighted the classical training that later made her a powerful mentor for young soap performers.
Outside her entertainment career, O’Brien became an outspoken advocate for Alzheimer’s research following her father’s diagnosis as one of the first high-profile cases. In 1983, she testified before Congress about the disease’s toll on families, helping to secure government funding during a time when public awareness and support were limited. Edmond O’Brien died in 1985.
Her brother, Brendan O’Brien, also built a career in acting and voice work, best known as the original voice of Crash Bandicoot and several other characters in the franchise during the Naughty Dog era from 1996 to 2004. His final performance as Crash was in 2001’s “Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex,” though his archived voice clips continued to be used afterward. He died in March 2023 at 60.
Throughout her life, O’Brien balanced commercial projects with a strong sense of artistic purpose. Her film work ranged from comedies like “Smile” and “The Incredible Shrinking Woman” to more dramatic projects such as “Table for Five.” She appeared in “The Choirboys” (1977), “Shell Game” (1975), “Prime Time” (1977), and “PSI Factor” (1980), building an eclectic résumé that showcased her adaptability. Her screen debut came in 1963 on the series “Sam Benedict,” marking the beginning of a career lasting over fifty years.
Her television footprint extended far beyond her best-known roles. O’Brien also made appearances in “Nash Bridges,” “Jack & Jill,” “Suddenly Susan,” “Quincy, M.E.,” “For the People,” and many other network shows during television’s peak era. She also held recurring roles on “Ave 43” and “The Life and Times of Eddie Roberts.”
Colleagues remembered O’Brien not only for her skill but for her sincere commitment to supporting other artists. Her long service coaching actors on soap operas—a genre sometimes dismissed critically but adored by audiences—reflected her devotion to the craft rather than to prestige.
O’Brien leaves behind her three children—James Anderson, Danica Anderson, and Sean Anderson—and her sister, Bridget O’Brien Adelman. She was preceded in death by her brother Brendan and her parents. Her legacy endures through the countless actors she mentored and the many performances she helped shape on stage and screen.
The cause of death has not been released publicly.
