Billy O'Connor

Billy O'Connor was born in County Cork Ireland and grew up in the Bronx. After Vietnam, Billy was an illegal bookie, a Teamster, a pub owner, and a New York City firefighter. More importantly, he was also an alcoholic. The tragedy of 9/11, and the loss of 343 of his brother firefighters brought with it an epiphany. Billy sobered up and attended the University of Florida. At the age of 62, he earned his journalism degree and began to write. O'Connor has written two highly praised weekly columns,...See more

Billy O'Connor was born in County Cork Ireland and grew up in the Bronx. After Vietnam, Billy was an illegal bookie, a Teamster, a pub owner, and a New York City firefighter. More importantly, he was also an alcoholic. The tragedy of 9/11, and the loss of 343 of his brother firefighters brought with it an epiphany. Billy sobered up and attended the University of Florida. At the age of 62, he earned his journalism degree and began to write. O'Connor has written two highly praised weekly columns, two screenplays and numerous political pieces. His second book, Da Mick, follows his award-winning first novel, Confessions of a Bronx Bookie. For the past seven years, Billy's acerbic wit as a stand-up comic has also entertained audiences throughout, California, Florida, New York, Nevada, and Arizona. He has shared the stage with great comedic talents such as Jim Florentine, Orny Adams, Todd Berry, Jon Lovitz, Paul Virzi, Julian McCullough and Finesse Mitchell. His inspirational story reminds us that with the proper attitude, life begins at 60. Billy can be reached at Oconnor.williamp@gmail.com or at BronxBilly.com See less