Maureen O'Hara

Maureen O'Hara was born Maureen FitzSimons in Dublin, Ireland on August 17, 1920.

Maureen's first film appearance was in Kicking the Moon Around (1938) in which she played a secretary. Maureen's first starring role was in Hitchcock's Jamica Inn (1939).

Maureen was brought to Hollywoood by actor Charles Laughton who was mesmerized by her beautiful eyes. Laughton was so pleased with O'Hara's performance in Jamica Inn, he cast her in the role of Esmeralda opposite him in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939).

Known for her on screen chemistry with John Wayne, they made five movies together: Rio Grande (1950), The Quiet Man (1952), The Wings of Eagles (1957), McLintock (1963) and Big Jake (1971).

Maureen O'Hara's other film credits include Miracle on 34th Street (1947); How Green Was My Valley (1941); The Parent Trap (1961); and A Bill of Divorcement (1940).




She is the only surviving credited cast member of Miracle on 34th Street who is still alive.

As a child, Maureen O'Hara loved playing athletic games and excelled in sports, this is shown in her work as she did many of her own stunts in her films.

O'Hara had a soprano voice and described singing as her first love.

Maureen O'Hara was married three times. Her first marriage to George H. Brown was annulled. Her second marriage was to Will Price, to whom she had one child. Her third marriage was the love of her life, General Charles F. Blair.

She became an American citizen on January 25, 1946, but has retained her Irish citizenship. It was the first time in history that the United States government recognized an Irish citizen as Irish. This led to a change in process for all Irish immigrants.




Maureen O'Hara is now retired making her last appearance as Helen Parker in television's The Last Dance (2000).