In 1954, he abandoned a legal career in favour of the performing arts, joining the George Mitchell Singers in London but had a "day job" working for an insurance company.
During the summer season in Llandudno, he met and later married a singer and dancer from Dublin named Vicky Fitzpatrick.
[2] As was commonly the case at the time, both among Irish actors abroad as well as many South Africans in the theatre and broadcast media, he used Received Pronunciation for his professional speaking voice.
[2] He narrated two movies from The Gods Must Be Crazy film series, as well as Animals Are Beautiful People.
Paddy O'Byrne died on 4 December 2013, aged 83, in Mullingar, County Westmeath, Ireland.