The Man Behind J.R. — Martin O’Brien’s Larry Hagman Documentary
Some stories deserve to be told by someone who truly knew the person behind the fame.
Filmmaker Martin O’Brien, now based in San Francisco, was a close friend of the late Larry Hagman, the actor the world knew as J.R. Ewing from Dallas. Behind the cowboy hat and swagger was a man full of charm, humour, contradictions, and compassion — and Martin is determined to show that side in his new documentary.
This independent film will explore the real Larry Hagman — the dreamer, the rebel, and the generous soul hidden beneath the Hollywood polish. It’s a project built on friendship, trust, and time. Martin isn’t just making another celebrity film; he’s painting an honest portrait of a man he called a friend.
He’s now raising funds to bring this story to life, and you can watch him talk about it here: 🎬 Watch the Video
From Bricks to Beats to Hollywood — Finding Martin O’Brien Again
In 1985, I was a young bricklayer sharing a London bedsit with ten lads — Irish, English, grafters, dreamers, and the odd chancer. Among them was Martin O’Brien, a Cork lad with sharp wit and a grin that could crack concrete. He had a way of lighting up the site, always ready with a line like, “You might be good, but when I’m around, you’re only second best.”
We worked hard, drank harder, and laughed through the dust and drizzle. Then, in 1990, Martin packed his bags for San Francisco. I stayed behind in London. Life took us in different directions — and for thirty-five years, I often wondered what became of him.
Recently, I put a message out through the Irish community in London, asking if anyone remembered the O’Brien brothers. Word spread fast, and before long, Martin got in touch. Just like that, the years fell away.
The Filmmaker Who Built His Own World
Martin O’Brien didn’t just head to California — he made a mark. Over the past two decades, he’s built a reputation as a documentary filmmaker and cannabis industry pioneer.
His 2024 documentary Between the Beats dives deep into the San Francisco rave scene of the 1990s — a time of raw energy, light, sweat, rebellion, and community. Critics hailed it as a visual love letter to the underground and a time capsule of creativity. It’s now streaming on major platforms like Apple TV, Amazon, and Google Play.
But with this new Larry Hagman documentary, Martin’s work comes full circle. It’s more personal — a story about friendship, loyalty, and the human side of fame.
How to Contact Martin O’Brien
If you’d like to learn more about Martin’s film projects or support the Larry Hagman documentary, you can reach him directly:
Email: m@mofilms.org (Official contact for Mofilms, Martin’s San Francisco–based production company.)
Website: www.mofilms.org For updates on Between the Beats, the Larry Hagman project, and Martin’s ongoing film work.
It’s been more than three decades since I last saw Martin O’Brien, but reconnecting now feels right. We started as two lads on a London building site, and somehow ended up thirty-five years later, one writing stories, the other filming them. Life’s got a strange way of circling back.
I’m based in London, Martin’s in San Francisco, but I want to do my part to help spread the word about his film — not because it’s flashy or commercial, but because it’s real.
If you care about independent cinema, true stories, and keeping the human side of fame alive, give this project a look, share it, and help get it made.
Thirty-five years after our bricklaying days in London, I’ve found my old mate Martin O’Brien — now a San Francisco filmmaker with a new documentary about his friend, Dallas legend Larry Hagman. From building sites to film sets, it’s one hell of a story.
Martin O’Brien filmmaker, Larry Hagman documentary, Between the Beats, San Francisco film director, Irish documentary director, independent film funding, 1990s rave culture, cannabis pioneer California, Tommy Kennedy IV blog, UK author blog, real working class stories
If this story speaks to you, please share it — every click helps shine a light on independent filmmaking and true friendship that crosses oceans and time.
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