How Did Leo O’Brien Die?

When Leo O’Brien died unexpectedly on October 10, 2012. There were many news reports telling us he had passed away but the actual cause of death was never reported.  I searched… I waited… I searched again… All I came up with was ‘autopsy inconclusive’. No answers… Until now…
I recently caught up with Leo’s nephew, Michael O’Syris Timmons, to clarify the mystery surrounding his Uncle Leo’s death.
Leo O'Brien released from hospital Sept 2011 with Taimak and his nephew Michael
Leo O’Brien’s nephew, Michael, is pictured here standing behind Leo and Taimak. September 2011 (Photo: TMZ)
Leo O’Brien was 41 when he died. He was best known for his role in the 1985 cult classic Motown meets Martial Arts movie “Berry Gordy’s The Last Dragon” as ‘Bruce’ Leroy Green’s too-cool little brother, Richie Green. He survived being shot 3 times on Labor Day almost a year earlier but his nephew believes that if he had not been shot he would still be alive today.

Cause of Leo O’Brien’s Death

Official Toxicology reports were inconclusive but Michael feels differently he told me  “a guy we know named Travis shot him 3 times in 2011. The doctors sewed him up but they didn’t sew him up properly, so he died in his sleep from the bullet wound injuries and the improper way the doctors stitched him up. After he came home from the hospital he would always say how much his insides hurt, and his hand would go numb all the time. We believe it’s medical malpractice… whatever they did to supposedly fix the bullet wounds they did not do right…. somehow his insides shut down and he died in his sleep. He had a private funeral in Inglewood, New Jersey where he was born. He was cremated. In the casket he had on a blue suit and his dreadlocks were nicely done. I miss him a lot.”

Return to the Big Screen

The Labor Day 2011 shooting ending up bringing Leo back together with his Last Dragon on-screen brother Taimak Guarriello. Michael talked about Leo getting back into acting and working alongside Taimak in his forthcoming movie “I’ve Seen Things“. He didn’t plan on that being his last film; the charismatic guy that made Richie Green shine in The Last Dragon was ready to make a comeback.

How did Leo O'Brien from The Last Dragon Die (2013)

Leo’s Role in The Last Dragon Remake

Before he died Michael had gotten in touch with Dallas Jackson the writer and one producer of the on again off again Last Dragon Remake. “He (Jackson) wanted to have Leo in the movie no matter what; he had been wondering what had happened to him but he died before he could figure out what his role would be.” Obviously, he couldn’t reprise his role as Richie but Michael did say it was Leo’s wish for his son, Drew O’Brien aka Dre Breezy, to play his role in the remake and added “They should dedicate the remake to the memory of my Uncle and Julius J. Carrey (Sho’nuff)

Unfinished Business

Leo and Michael finished a screenplay called “The Death Dealer” where the lead character was inspired by  Leo and his likeness. Michael is looking for a publisher to get it, along with 2 other screenplays attached to it, made into a book. Which he would dedicate to his Uncle’s memory.
When I asked Michael straight up how did Leo O’Brien die? He answered, “Travis (the guy who shot him) is just as guilty as the doctors who improperly stitched him up. Travis can no longer walk the streets of Harlem safely trust me. He is banned from the hood forever, and Uncle O ain’t get no justice yet. He only caught a cold here and there but he was healthy as hell until he came out the hospital. I am still pissed at the whole thing…just want answers. It’s crazy.”

RIP Leo

Special thanks to Michael O’syris Timmons for giving Leo’s fans some more closure on this. Good luck with getting your screenplay published; maybe somebody will read this and reach out to you. I’m sure your Uncle Leo would be proud of your dedication to honoring his memory. May he Rest in Peace.
For more on Leo O’Brien check out this extensive interview by The Last Dragon Tribute guest writer Clarke Illmatical. It was conducted in 2011 soon after Leo was shot. I believe it to be the most thorough Leo O’Brien interview in existence.

@thelastglow


TheLastDragonTribute.com is an online community for fans of the 80’s Motown martial arts cult classic THE LAST DRAGON. Using our web and social media presence our mission is to bring together fans from all over the world to help keep the Glow alive! We delve into all things The Last Dragon, Bruce Lee, and Martial Arts Entertainment.

Twitter: @thelastglow 
Instagram: @thelastglow
Facebook: Fan Tribute to The Last Dragon
Podcast: The Last Dragon Tribute Podcast
www.thelastdragontribute.com
The Meanest, Prettiest, Baddest Last Dragon T-Shirts Around!
THIS SITE CONTAINS SOME AFFILIATE LINKS TO PRODUCTS. WE MAY RECEIVE A COMMISSION FOR PURCHASES MADE THROUGH THESE LINKS.

28 thoughts on “How Did Leo O’Brien Die?

  1. Leo and I were best of friends, he was like my brother,O knew me as Big B, at times we did everything together, rest in peace you will always be my friend.

  2. Wow this is really shocking. For some reason I just decided to look Leo up and read this. I did my first commercial with Leo around 1980 for Hi-C Drink box in Coconut Grove Florida. He was really funny. My condolences to his friends and family.

  3. I was so sorry to hear about Leo O’Brien’s passing. I do hope they continue with the LD remake and possibly use as many from the original as they can; that would be really cool. I like the idea of maybe having Leo’s son playing a young Richie.

    1. v14024114@gmail.com I just want to share my feelings I never watched his movies, but I do recall who he was my heart goes out to the family,I recently just lost my youngest Son on March 7 of this year and I’m still feeling his lost so I can only imagine how the family feels may his soul rest in peace

  4. Wow, this all is shocking. As a huge fan of this movie and cast however, he passed it is a loss. Only someone whose jealous, invious and Calais hearted person would want to taint the memory of someone they know or lived with. May he rest in peace and those who truly loved him fine comfort when thinking of him and missing him.

  5. Wow. I didn’t even know he passed away. I will always remember him as little Ritchie Green for The Last Dragon. He was awesome in that. May he rest in peace.

  6. @Dboy thats a rumor and a fabricated one, but most importantly, what kind of person would do or say the things you have said in light of all the wonderful things that being said about this man on this page?? This man left a smile on millions of people hearts and frankly no one cares how he died we are all sad that he is gone! Blessed but what he left us and no one can take that away! #Richiewillliveinourheartsforever!

  7. I went to school with Leo, and recently met someone who shared my love for Last Dragon, and I mentioned how I knew Leo. I was in grade school, and he was in High School, at Barnstable Academy in Glenrock, NJ. Leo was a cool guy, I remember one day he came into class and had been stabbed in a fight the weekend before. I guess he came from a tough neighborhood, I am really sad to find that he has passed. My heart goes out to his family.

    1. I went to Barnstable. We took ballet together (yes. Leo was very talented ). We had fun in that class together. Never forgot him and was so crushed to hear of his passing.

  8. I really enjoyed Leo’s acting on the Last Dragon, I’m truly sorry for he’s passing. He’s movie will be loved from generation to generation. My 6 year old son just loves to watch it. Once again my heart goes out to the family he was one great man.

  9. My love for that movie and all the actors in it is infinite no one should say or post negative things about a man that wanted to brighten the lives of others as well as raise his own children to the best of his ability people let’s not let our hate and Internet post hurt the family and friends of this man please be mindful of the love we all.need when we loose a loved one! Love is Love

  10. S.I.P. Leo. May your movie work and the love your children and family have for you speak for it self. Haters will always be haters even to people in their death.

  11. Hello,
    I went to Barnstable with Leo. Played on the basketball team. We had fun not paying attention LOL. I’m sorry for the loss. He was a good dude.

  12. I grew up in Englewood NJ and went to Lincoln Elementary School and remember Leo hitting the school yard and dat lil mofo was so full of life. One cool cat and smoooooth as they come. R.I.P Leo, you will sadly missed!

    1. Check dat Cleveland School was my grade school and who could forget Dr. McCloud…..Still remember gettin my tail whooped on every b’day……Long time ago but I can still here us kids kickin it on the playground…

  13. I miss low from the last dragon. It was very shocking when I just found out today that he passed away. My condolences go out to his family and friends!

  14. My condolences to his family. This is very sad. I just found out about this. I didn’t know he went through so much. I LOVE LD!!! He was great in that movie, funny and also cute! He still looked good too!! My son is sad now too bc I passed on my love of LD to him and we always watch it together. It’s nice to read these comments from people he personally knew. IDK why people say negative things about ppl when they die on blogs….like what is the point?I had seen his child’s comments and that’s hurtful for someone to read about their loved one. I think his son should play his role in the remake of LD, awesome tribute imo.

    May he RIP!

  15. I knew Leo when I was about 15 he used to come over to my house and we’ll hang out the whole day I just found out today that he passed away what a shame I didn’t even know he used to say this all the time Cheeba cheeba that’s nice give me a dollar and that’s the price what a shame going to miss my little dude

  16. I’ve been watching Berry Gordy’s the last dragon every year on my Birthday May 7 since the age of 16 and this year I turned 42 and it’s my favorite movie so basically it’s a tradition for me never missed a year watching it. Leo R. I. P you’ll truly be missed.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.