“Ed” O’Neill – The Bulldog Patriarch

The Great and the Least,
The Rich and the Poor,
The Weak and the Strong;
In Sickness and in Health,
In Joy and in Sorrow,
In Tragedy and Triumph;
You are All My Children.
(Agnes Nixon, 1970)

Name: Edward Leonard O’Neill; called “Ed”
Born: April 12, 1946 in Youngstown, Ohio, U.S.A. in St. Elizabeth Hospital
Mother: Ruth Ann née Quinlan, homemaker & socialworker
Father: Edward Phillip O’Neill, steel mill worker & truck driver
Siblings: two younger brothers & two younger sisters

Spouse: Catherine Rusoff, married since 1986 (separated ’89 – ’93)
Children: Claire (18) & Sophia (15)
Residence: Venice-L.A., California, U.S.A.

Edward Leonard “Ed” O’Neill

Education: Ursuline High School (catholic), Youngstown, Ohio
Ohio University, Athens (history & drama, left in sophomore year)
Youngstown State University, Youngstown, Ohio
1969: bachelor’s degree in history at Youngstown State University
Former occupations: bus boy, steel worker, barkeeper, used car salesman, truck driver, social studies teacher
Current Occupation: Actor, since 1970
Sports: Ohio University Scholarship (American Football)
1969, Pittsburgh Steelers Training Camp (American Football)
Youngstown State University, Defense Line (American Football)
(Brazilian) Gracie Jiu-Jitsu: since 1991 (Black Belt since 2007); trained by Rorion Gracie

Height: 6ft 1 in / 1,85 m
Weight: 245 lb / 111 kg

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Professional Biography

1946 – 1960: Childhood

Born on April 12, 1946, in Youngstown, Ohio, in the St. Elizabeth Hospital, Edward Leonard O’Neill was the oldest of five siblings. He has two younger brothers and two younger sisters. His father, Edward Phillip O’Neill was a steel mill worker, his mother, Ruth Ann née Quinlan, a homemaker. O’Neill himself says that he gained his fathers hard-workmanship and his mother’s “hystericalness”; eventhough he comicly states, that he only earned “the bad traits”. His mother was one of four sisters and O’Neill thinks that he got part of his talent for storytelling from his “very funny” uncles-by-marriage, which also had a very dark sense of humor.

Growing up he was interested in sports, music and chasing around the neighbourhood with friends. It wasn’t until the late 50’s that his family got a black and white television. O’Neill enjoyed the early comedies of that time. For example he liked Laurel and Hardy, but couldn’t see what should be funny about the Three Stoges.