Jimmy O'Dea

Jimmy O'Dea (1899 - 1965) was an Irish comedian.

Jimmy O'Dea was born in Dublin and was educated locally by the Irish Christian Brothers, where one of his classmates was the future Taoiseach of Ireland, Seán F. Lemass. O'Dea went to Edinburgh, Scotland, where he qualified as an optician.

Following that he returned to Dublin where, in his spare time, he took part in amateur dramatics. In 1927 he took to the stage full time.

He formed a partnership with Harry O'Donovan. Together they created O'Dea's most famous character - Biddy Mulligan, the Pride of the Coombe.

O'Dea had a successful career in pantomime and he toured Ireland and England many times.

Jimmy O'Dea died in Dublin, aged 65.