Bronx Billy O. came to America by boat from County Cork, Ireland, and grew up on the Bronx streets. After Vietnam, Billy was a Teamster, a Pub and restaurant owner, and before becoming a N.Y.C. firefighter for 23 years, an illegal bookie. He has sailed, dove and traveled the world burdened by his addiction to drugs and alcohol.
After the tragedy of 9/11 and the loss of 343 of his brother firefighters he sobered up and attended the University of Florida. At the age of 62, he earned his journalism degree and began to write.
He has written two highly praised weekly columns, two screenplays and numerous political pieces. He also finished in the finals out of nearly 400 contestants in Arizona’s funniest comic contest two years in a row.
Confessions of a Bronx Bookie is his much-anticipated first novel. Every Amazon review has been phenomenal, all five stars. Most see the novel as a movie or series. Unlike many authors who come directly out of college, O’Connor waited to write until after he had something to say. If anyone personifies that life truly begins at 60, it is Billy O’Connor.
Billy’s acerbic wit on stage has entertained audiences throughout, California, Florida, New York and Arizona for the past three years. He has shared the stage with such great comedic talents as Todd Berry, Julian McCullough, Jesse Joyce, Lisa Landry and Thai Rivera. As a reformed alcoholic, compulsive gambler and drug addict, his inspirational story reminds all of us that with the proper attitude, life begins at 60.
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