John O'Brien

John O'Brien began his career in television in the mid-1970s working as a technical director and video controller at a number of television stations throughout California. In 1983 he landed a video control job at ABC in Hollywood. He had the opportunity to work on a wide range of programming at the network, some of which include soap operas, sitcoms, game shows, award and variety shows, and sporting events.

Since leaving ABC in 1987 to freelance, he has worked on many entertainment shows and series productions. O’Brien just wrapped up the series The Big Bang Theory (CBS) and Live In Front of a Studio Audience: All in the Family & The Jeffersons (ABC). His current productions are Man with a Plan (CBS), Big Brother (CBS), and E!’s Live from the Red Carpet award show coverage. O’Brien has received five Emmys (four Primetime) in the team classification of technical direction/camera/video for The Big Bang Theory, The Golden Girls, ER’s Live Episode and the live telecast of Fail Safe.

O’Brien grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and received a B.A. in broadcast communications arts at San Francisco State University.

updated 5.31.19