Fred O'Donovan (theatre producer)

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Fred O'Donovan
Born1930
Fairview, Dublin, Ireland
Died14 May 2010 (age 80)
Spouse(s)Sally

Fred O'Donovan (1930 – 14 May 2010) was an Irish theatre producer and businessman.

O'Donovan served as Chairman of the RTÉ Authority between 1981 and 1985.[1][2] He was a co-founder of the Irish Cancer Society with Austin Darragh, an achievement he expressed his fondness for before he died.[3]

Career[]

O'Donovan was born in Fairview, Dublin.[1] In 1948 he was working for the Royal Air Force when he caught tuberculosis and was told by Swiss medical professionals that he would be dead within the year.[3] He survived.[1][3] Whilst working with the RAF he developed his first taste for showbiz after producing a Paul Robeson show at Long Kesh, intended to entertain the military personnel.[3] "It made me realise what a wonderful business it was", he later recalled.[3]

Back in Ireland, he took up jobs in radio and theatre, beginning his new career as an assistant stage manager in the theatre, a position he described as "the lowest form of life".[3] Whilst working on a 1955 production of he commenced a close personal relationship with Seán O'Casey over the telephone, recalling in later life that "I learned more from O'Casey on the phone than anybody".[3] O'Donovan embarked on a trip to London to meet George Bernard Shaw with the intention of having his royalty fee decreased; he was refused.[3] He produced The Ed Sullivan Show when it visited Ireland, insisting on the use of Irish artists, including Maureen Potter, who received a career boost from the experience.[3]

Fred O'Donovan handprints (Gaiety Theatre, Dublin)

O'Donovan joined the in the 1970s and achieved recognition as the producer of variety show , which featured Maureen Potter and was performed at Dublin's Gaiety Theatre.[1] Gaels of Laughter returned to the Gaiety Theatre for a one-night tribute show to O'Donovan on 25 January 2010, with Gay Byrne as host and as producer.[2][3] Other production credits include several Christmas pantomimes, Jury's Irish Cabaret, The Jack Benny Show and Juno and the Paycock, which featured Peter O'Toole, Siobhán McKenna and Jack MacGowran.[1] He was the National Concert Hall's chairman from its opening in 1981 and was a member of the Independent Radio and Television Commission from its beginnings.[1] He was also a business partner of Denis O'Brien for a period of time until the two fell out.[4]

On 23 January 2010, in an interview with Fiona McCann for The Irish Times, he vowed never to write a memoir, though admitted making an attempt only for former taoiseach Charles Haughey to "put me off".[3] He ominously expressed his disbelief that he had made it to his eightieth year — "I can't get used to the fact that I'm alive", he remarked, whilst reflecting on his previous near brush with death.[3]

O'Donovan died at the age of 80.[1][5] Tributes came from people including Gate Theatre director Michael Colgan, veteran broadcaster Gay Byrne, and Tom Savage, who was RTÉ Authority chairman at the time of his death.[1]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Murray, Ken (15 May 2010). "Theatre producer Fred O'Donovan dies". The Irish Times. Irish Times Trust. Retrieved 15 May 2010.
  2. ^ a b "Former RTÉ Chief Fred O'Donovan Passes Away". Irish Film and Television Network. 19 May 2010. Retrieved 19 May 2010.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l McCann, Fiona (23 January 2010). "Right Said Fred". The Irish Times. Irish Times Trust. Retrieved 23 January 2010.
  4. ^ McCarthy, Justine (15 January 2000). "The man who makes millionaires". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. Retrieved 1 October 2016. So he came home, got the investment together, struck a deal with Sky for six-hours air time a day, another with Grattan, the holding company of Next, and went into business with Fred O'Donovan, the former chairman of RTÉ and promoter of the Gaiety Theatre. They lost £million in the first month. By the time the company was liquidated two years later, O'Brien and O'Donovan had fallen out.
  5. ^ "Former RTÉ Authority chairman dies". RTÉ News and Current Affairs. Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 14 May 2010. Retrieved 14 May 2010.
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