Maureen O'Hara

Maureen O'Hara (born Maureen FitzSimons 17 August 1920 until 24 October, 2015) was an Irish actor and singer who became successful in Hollywood in the 1940s through the '60s. A natural redhead, she was well-known as sensual and passionate heroines. Her roles were often in Westerns or in adventure films. Charles Laughton, an actor who first saw her star-making potential, brought her to Hollywood. There were numerous times she also worked alongside John Ford, longtime friend John Wayne and John Ford. O'Hara was born in Dublin, Ireland and was raised Catholic. She was destined from her earliest years to become an actor. She studied with the Rathmines Theatre Company from the age of 10, and then at the Abbey Theatre beginning at the age of 14. She was given a screen trial, which was deemed unsatisfactory however Charles Laughton saw potential, and arranged for her to co-star with him in Alfred Hitchcock's Jamaica Inn in 1939. RKO Pictures offered her a contract. She was also transferred to Hollywood in the year 1939 to co-star with Hitchcock in The Hunchback of Notre Dame. From there, she went on to enjoy a lengthy and very successful career which earned her the moniker "the Queen of Technicolor". Her appearances in films include as How Green Was My Valley (1941) (her first collaboration with John Ford), The Black Swan with Tyrone Power (1942), The Spanish Main (1945), Sinbad the Sailor (1947) as well as the classic Christmas film Miracle on 34th Street (1947) with John Payne and Natalie Wood as well as Comanche Territory (1950). The first time she was seen was in Rio Grande (1950), alongside John Wayne (the actor with whom she has the most connection). The Quiet Man (1952), The Wings of Eagles (57) and McLintock were followed by McLintock. (1963), Big Jake (1971). Wayne was so adroit at chemistry with her that many believed they were in a marriage. O'Hara was more motherly as she grew older appearing in films such as The Deadly Companions (1961) as well as The Parent Trap(61) and The Rare Breed (1966). In 1971, O'Hara announced her retirement from the film industry. However, she returned to the film industry twenty years later to appear alongside John Candy in Only the Lonely (1991).