In the fourth season episode of The Mentalist, ep No. 22, titled “So Long, and Thanks for All the Red Snapper,” it closes out with a dedication splash screen saying “In Loving Memory or Keith O’Brien.”
Keith O’Brien was a driver that worked with the production of The Mentalist. He had lost a battle with cancer, and the show paid tribute to him with the closing homage, to one of their own. I saw reference to the tribute, but I dug until I found a source of info on his passing.
Ashley Gable, a writer who contributed to 12 episodes of The Mentalist, had replied to some online inquiries about the dedication and had this to say about Keith:
“Keith was a Teamster (driver) on the show. A man with a beautiful voice & an even better smile, he died of cancer during 422 prep.”
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She further added:
“we thought an episode about sad goodbyes would be the perfect one to dedicate to Keith. He will be missed. Lovely man. “
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No one should ever have to suffer through such an ugly experience as cancer. Ever. I don’t care who you are. (I have some contribution links in the sidebar of my site, because like I say, all it takes is $1. For example, if 5 million people watched a fund raiser telethon in the battle against cancer, and everyone who watched only contributed $1, well, as you can see, this is why it would add up.)
Our thoughts go out to Mr. O’Brien’s friends and family.
About Bruce Simmons
I've been writing newsletters since 1999. Of late, I've been focusing on the entertainment consumer angle on mostly the sci-fi, fantasy and action genres of TV, movies and books.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Keith O’Brien Sr. was my brother in law. I knew him my entire life and also worked with him, and for him on many television shows and films. I was looking at the title “Driver” and while it certainly was his working title on this particular show, the word just doesn’t even begin to encompass the man’s experience, talents, and intelligence. In the film industry, he was also one of the most efficient, effective and conscientious Transportation Captain’s this industry has ever seen. I traveled and worked with Keith all over the U.S. and I can say without equivocation that he was the best. Outside of work he was always a very popular guy, but he always had a humility about that. He had a fantastic singing voice, and his life could easily have been very different if he had pursued that in his early years, but Keith was always a hard worker; A hands-on, up before dawn, self-motivator, who never tried to avoid a back-breaking task.
I learned a lot from Keith, and will always miss him.
Michael… thank you. I appreciate you’re chiming in and I’m am truly sorry for your loss. -Bruce