Albert Sharpe was born in Belfast in 1985. He created the role of Finian McLonergan in “Finian’s Rainbow” on Broadway. His films include “I See A Dark Stranger” with Deborah Kerr in 1946, “Portrait of Jennie” with Jennifer Jones in 1948 and of course his most famous role in “Darby O’Gill and the Little People” in 1959 with Sean Connery and Janet Munro. He died in 1970.
IMDB entry:
Albert Sharpe was born on April 15, 1885 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He was an actor, known for Darby O’Gill and the Little People (1959), Royal Wedding (1951) and Brigadoon(1954). He died on February 13, 1970 in Belfast.
Talented Irish actor, long a member of the famous Abbey Players, but perhaps best known in America for creating the role of Finian McLonergan in the original Broadway production of “Finian’s Rainbow” in 1947 and starring in the title role of Disney’s “Darby O’Gill and the Little People” twelve years later. His last ten years were spent in quiet retirement until his death in 1970 at the age of 85.
Walt Disney had seen him in the Broadway production of “Finian’s Rainbow.” He kept him in mind for the title role in the long delayed “Darby O’Gill and the Little People” which wasn’t made until 1959.
Played many vaudeville houses while touring Europe in a 50-year career, at one time partnering in a comic act with actor Joe Carney.
Attend Christian Brothers School in Belfast and started show business as a boy there selling programs at the Empire theater and as a magician’s assistant.
The above IMDB entry can also be accessed online here.
