Maria O’Brien, the cherished actress and acting coach who guided performers on “Days of Our Lives” for 15 years, passed away on February 24 at the age of 75. Her death closes a remarkable six-decade career that connected Hollywood’s classic era with its contemporary soap opera world.

Born on August 14, 1950, in Los Angeles, O’Brien carried forward her parents’ showbiz heritage. Her father, Edmond O’Brien, earned the 1954 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for “The Barefoot Contessa,” portraying the unforgettable publicist Oscar Muldoon opposite Humphrey Bogart and Ava Gardner. Her mother, Olga San Juan, was a musical comedy star who appeared in films such as “Are You with It?,” “The Countess of Monte Cristo,” and “One Touch of Venus.”

O’Brien debuted on screen in 1963 in the TV series “Sam Benedict.” Her first film role arrived in 1975 with her appearance in Michael Ritchie’s satirical comedy “Smile,” where she portrayed Maria Gonzales, a fiercely ambitious beauty pageant contestant. She continued with roles in “Shell Game,” “The Choirboys,” “Prime Time,” and “The Incredible Shrinking Woman.”

In 1984, O’Brien appeared in the movie “Protocol” alongside Goldie Hawn, Richard Romanus, and Jean Smart. Her additional film work included “Table for Five,” “Good Luck,” “Promised a Miracle,” “False Arrest,” and “In Sickness and in Health.” Over her career, she shared the screen with major stars like Melanie Griffith, Lily Tomlin, Angela Lansbury, and Tom Selleck.

O’Brien’s television résumé spanned many hit series from the 1980s and 1990s, including “Murder, She Wrote,” “Magnum, P.I.,” “The Love Boat,” “L.A. Law,” “CHiPs,” “Matlock,” “Nash Bridges,” “Suddenly Susan,” “Quincy, M.E.,” and “Good Morning, Miss Bliss.” She also appeared in “Viva Valdez,” “How the West Was Won,” “The Life and Times of Eddie Roberts,” “Jake and the Fatman,” “Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction,” “Jack & Jill,” “Spyder Games,” and “For the People.”

Her stage work also brought acclaim. In 1990, O’Brien received a Drama-Logue Award for her performance in Jean Genet’s “The Maids” at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles.

O’Brien shifted to acting coaching in the late 1990s, contributing to the daytime dramas “Sunset Beach” and “Passions” before taking on her longest-running role as acting coach on “Days of Our Lives.” She remained in that position for 15 years, retiring in 2022 after shaping the craft of countless performers on the enduring NBC soap opera.

The show’s cast honored her memory with heartfelt messages. Eric Martsolf, who portrays Brady and had worked with O’Brien since their time on “Passions,” called her “an unsung hero in our industry.” Robert Scott Wilson, who plays Alex Kiriakis, wrote: “Maria, your soul and unrelenting passion for the craft will never be forgotten.”

Beyond her artistic work, O’Brien became a strong advocate for Alzheimer’s research following her father’s diagnosis. Edmond O’Brien was among the earliest public figures to reveal his battle with Alzheimer’s, drawing national attention to a condition that was still widely misunderstood and rarely discussed.

In 1983, O’Brien testified before Congress about the profound toll Alzheimer’s disease takes on families. Her advocacy played a key role in helping secure federal funding for Alzheimer’s research during a pivotal time when public awareness and resources were limited. Her father passed away in 1985.

O’Brien leaves behind a legacy that stretches far beyond her own acting, influencing generations through her coaching and mentorship. Her 15-year tenure at “Days of Our Lives” made her a respected figure in the daytime television world, where she was admired for her devotion to the craft and her talent for guiding actors through the demanding pace of daily soap production.

She is survived by her three children, James Anderson, Danica Anderson, and Sean Anderson, as well as her sister, Bridget O’Brien Adelman. She was predeceased by her brother, actor and voice performer Brendan O’Brien, who died in March 2023. Brendan O’Brien was best known as the original voice of Crash Bandicoot and other characters in the Naughty Dog-era games from 1996 to 2004.

Her cause of death has not been made public. The family has not yet shared details regarding memorial arrangements.