Maria O'Brien, “Protocol” and “Matlock ”Actress“,” Dies at 75

Escher WalcottWed, March 4, 2026 at 5:34 PM UTC

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Maria O'Brien in 1987Credit: CBS via Getty -

TV actress Maria O'Brien died at the age of 75 on Feb. 24, according to reports

O'Brien was the daughter of famous actors Edmond O’Brien and Olga San Juan

Her acting credits include the TV shows Sam Benedict (1963), Viva Valdez (1976), The Life and Times of Eddie Roberts (1980), Matlock (1988) and the film Protocol (1984)

Maria O’Brien, an actress on Matlock and Protocol, has died. She was 75.

The actress and acting coach died on Feb. 24, Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter reported. Her cause of death has not been revealed at this time.

O’Brien came from a famous acting family in Los Angeles. She was the daughter of Oscar-winning actor Edmond O’Brien, who died in 1985, and musical comedy star Olga San Juan, who died in 2009.

O’Brien’s first acting credit was in an episode of the 1963 TV show Sam Benedict. She had a successful acting career over the next three decades, appearing on several TV shows, including Viva Valdez (1976), The Life and Times of Eddie Roberts (1980), Quincy, M.E. (1980-82) and Matlock (1988).

Maria O'Brien in 1974Credit: Fairchild Archive/WWD/Penske Media via Getty

The late actress also appeared in several films including Shell Game (1975), Choirboys (1977), Prime Time (1977), The Incredible Shrinking Woman (1980) and Protocol (1984), starring opposite Goldie Hawn, Jean Smart and Richard Romanus.

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Later in her career, O’Brien worked as an acting coach on the daytime drama series Sunset Beach and Passions. She then secured a position as an acting coach on the soap opera Days of Our Lives, where she remained for over 15 years up until she retired in 2022, per THR.

In 1983, O’Brien testified before Congress about the devastating effects of Alzheimer’s Disease, following her father’s diagnosis with the disease. Her father was one of the first actors to be publicly diagnosed with the disease, per Deadline.

Maria O'BrienCredit: Terry McDonell/WWD/Penske Media via Getty

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O’Brien’s death comes after her brother, voice actor Brendan O'Brien, died in 2023.

The actress is survived by her three children: Thomas, Danica and Sean Anderson, and her sister Bridget O’Brien Adelman.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”