Welcome to the Show! Meet Seamus Liam O’Brien
Mr. O'Brien spent the formative years of his life performing with his family in a number of circuses throughout the United States, including the Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus, Clyde Beatty Cole Bros Circus, and the Shrine Circus. When his parents retired from the ring and settled in Central Florida, Liam continued to perform, but this time as a Costumed Character at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom.
For over fifteen years Liam worked as a Scenic Artist, painting set pieces and backdrops for a variety of amusement parks, retail stores, and stage shows. Select projects include: M&M Museum (Las Vegas, Nevada), Jurassic Park River Ride at Universal Studio's Islands of Adventure (Orlando, FL) + Universal Studio's Japan (Osaka, Japan), and Potbelly Sandwich Shop restaurants throughout the United States.
In 2006 Liam moved to New York City and worked as a production manager for a number of prominent Fine Artists including: Takashi Murakami, Michael Riedel, and Mickalene Thomas. The artwork that he produced with these artists are in a number of notable art collections and have been exhibited in major museums and galleries throughout the world!
In 2013 Liam started painting signs and murals for local businesses in his Brooklyn neighborhood. This endeavor started with him going door to door with a hand full of fliers… but eventually his craft garnered more interest and attention. Select clients include: The Guggenheim Museum, The Brooklyn Museum, Sweetgreen, and the David Zwirner Gallery. A hand painted sign can offer a business a level of sophistication and charm that cannot be captured in vinyl; each sign is its own unique work of art!
Mr O'Brien currently lives/works in Minneapolis, MN with his wife and young daughter. He enjoys going to the movies, fixing things, and painting/drawing.
"Brooklyn artist Seamus Liam O'Brien returns to the circus with mesmerizing swirls and a pink elephant!"
Parents - James Terence O'Brien + Gloria Camille O'Brien
My father discovered the art of juggling during his high school years and this passion lead him to begin performing on stage and vaudeville throughout the United States. He attended universities in Germany and France, and did a seasoned tour as the "Great Boston" for the illustrious Duffy Circus in Ireland.
Terry and Camille met in Washington D.C. at the National Security Agency where they both worked as linguists and cryptologists. The two did the improbable and ran away with the circus, spending fifteen years traveling around North America while raising a family. They performed on such shows as Clyde Beatty/Cole Bros. Circus, King Bros. Circus, Circo Atayde Mexico, Hanneford Circus, Carson and Barnes Circus, Nordmark Circus, TNT Circus, as well as on various television programs including the Mike Douglas Show, Circus (Canada), and the Bozo Show. In 2004, Terry wrote a book about his adventures on the circus entitled, Close but no cigar - A Street Urchins Tale.
Terry O’Brien and Company performing on the Canadian TV Series, “Circus”
This clip features the great Terry O'Brien and Company (Terry and Camille O'Brien) performing live on the hit Canadian television series 'Circus' (1978-1985). Starring singers Cal Dodd and Sharise Lawrence, this series offered the Big Top on the small screen, a weekly half hour of circus acts and musical entertainment.