Who was Kenny O'Donnell?

Question

In the Movie "13 Days" Kevin Costner plays Kenny O'Donnell, a "Special aid to the president"

well according to what ive read, there's no such title.

There was a Kenny O'Donnell, who also after JFK's assatination was the man who tried to get Jackie to leave the hospital and not stand around the whole time watching them work on her husband.

But my question is this

who was he? what was his real title?

He sounds a lot (and is portrayed like) like a Chief of Staff or national Security Advisor.


can anyone please tell me. I cant find the answer

Answer 1

"In 1960 O'Donnell was the organizer and director of John F. Kennedy's presidential campaign schedule. The following year he became Kennedy's special assistant."

"Kenneth O'Donnell" : http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/JFKodonnell.htm

His role was much exaggerated in the movie, though.

" "I said, "For God’s sakes, Kenny O’Donnell didn’t have any role whatsoever in the missile crisis; he was a political appointment secretary to the President; that’s absurd. So I won’t see it," I said."

Former Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, quoted in "THIRTEEN DAYS", PBS Online NewsHour Forum : http://www.pbs.org/newshour/forum/february01/thirteendays3.html

Answer 2

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/JFKodonnell.htm

All I did was google "Kenny O'Donnell".

Answer 3

http://www.jfklibrary.org/Historical+Resources/Archives/Summaries/col_odonnell_kenny.htm