Maureen O'Hara Biography

Fast Facts

• Was given a lifetime achievement award at the Irish Film and Television Awards in 2004
• Her father was unsupportive of her theatrical aspirations, resulting in her attending business school and becoming a typist
• Starred in the Alfred Hitchcock film "Jamaica Inn," which was her first major film
• While growing up she trained in drama, music and dance, joining the Rathmines Theatre Company at age 10
• Quote: "Comedy is quite difficult, you have to be able to have fun and portray that sense of fun to the Audience watching you․"
• Quote: "Speaking as an actress, I wish all actors would be more like Duke [John Wayne] and speaking as a person, it would be nice if all people could be honest and as genuine as he is․ This is a real man․"
• Because of her success with acting, studio heads didn't capitalize on her musical talents until the early 1960s, when she began appearing in Broadway musicals like "Christine․"
• Referred to as the "Queen of Technicolor" for her bright red hair and green eyes, she was best known for playing Doris Walker in "Miracle on 34th Street" and Mary Kate Danaher in "The Quiet Man․"
• In 1946, she became a naturalized citizen of the U․S․ and held dual citizenship with her native country of Ireland
• Was the last surviving credited cast member of the 1947 film "Miracle on 34th Street" before her death in 2015
• Was the original choice to play Anna in the film version of the musical "The King and I," but the role eventually went to Deborah Kerr