Joan O’Brien, Elvis’ Co-Star In “It Happened At The World’s Fair,” Dies At Age 89

Mourning The Death Of Actress And Singer Joan O’Brien

Joan O’Brien, the actress known for her roles in It Happened at the World’s Fair and Operation Petticoat, has died at the age of 89.

Joan’s daughter, Melissa, called The Hollywood Reporter to confirm the news of her death. She did not provide any additional details about her passing.

Joan was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on February 14, 1936. Her family moved to California when she was a child, and she enrolled in dance classes at a young age.

Later, Joan proved she was also a talented singer. Her singing caught the attention of country singer, record producer, and publisher Cliffie Stone. He hired her to perform on his show, Hometown Jamboree, while she was still a teenager.

She eventually became a regular on The Bob Crosby Show and remained on the program until it ended in 1958. During that same period and beyond, she appeared in Western series such as Riverboat, Man Without a Gun, Bat Masterson, Wagon Train, Cheyenne, The Westerner, Rawhide, and several others.

Joan landed her first film role in 1958, playing Mary Judson in Handle with Care. Her star power continued to increase the following year (1959), when she played Lt. Dolores Crandall alongside Cary Grant in Operation Petticoat.

She also starred in two John Wayne films, The Alamo (1960) and The Comancheros (1961). Her other film credits include Six Black Horses (1962), It’s Only Money (1962), and Get Yourself a College Girl (1964).

Joan Played Elvis Presley’s Love Interest In It Happened At The World’s Fair

One of Joan O’Brien’s most popular performances was in the 1963 film It Happened at the World’s Fair.

It Happened at the World’s Fair is a musical comedy that follows pilot Mike Edwards (played by Elvis Presley). Mike’s business partner spends the money Mike had set aside, leaving Mike with no funds to pay their debts. The local sheriff takes their crop duster plane as collateral and plans to sell the plane at auction if Mike doesn’t acquire the money he needs within a week.

Mike and his business partner, Danny (played by Gary Lockwood), end up in Seattle at the 1962 World’s Fair. While there, Mike meets a nurse named Diane Warren (played by Joan O’Brien). Mike is instantly attracted to her and pays a boy to kick him in the shin so Diane can treat him.

Fun fact: that boy was played by a young Kurt Russell in his film debut. The Tombstone star would later portray “The King” in the 1979 film Elvis, released two years after Elvis Presley died.

After that incident, Mike and Diane share a dinner at the top of Seattle’s famous Space Needle. Many hijinks ensue from that point forward, but the film ends with Mike and Diane falling in love.

Joan’s last acting credit was in a 1965 episode of Perry Mason. She ceased acting after that, although she remained in the spotlight for a little while as a member of Harry James’ band.

Our prayers go out to those who loved Joan O’Brien as they mourn her death. May she rest in peace.