Born on August 17, 1920 in Ireland, Maureen O’Hara, known for her stunning, red hair, lit up the big screen during Hollywood’s Golden Age, and for decades after. Today, INSP mourns the loss of this great film star, whose movies we’ve been privileged to feature: “The Rare Breed,” “McClintock!,” and “The Christmas Box,” in which she stars with Richard Thomas of “The Waltons” fame.
Born Maureen FitzSimmons, the second oldest of six siblings, O’Hara was drawn to the arts from a very young age. From the age of six to seventeen she studied drama, music and dance, and at ten, became a member of a theater company. After an unsuccessful film test in the late 1930s, O’Hara wanted nothing to do with movies, preferring to act on the stage, but, actor Charles Laughton saw something in the test no one else could see, a spark in her eyes, and a legend was born. She played strong-willed, fiery, feisty women in her youth, and later in life, complex, deep, grounded and dependable characters— all reflective of the woman she was in life.
A statement released by the family reads, “Maureen was our loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. She passed peacefully surrounded by her loving family as they celebrated her life…”
O’Hara passed away in her sleep at home in Idaho. She is survived by her daughter, a grandson and two great-grandchildren.
Maureen O’Hara has died. Honored to have been a part of her legacy; what a woman, what a powerhouse, what a force. pic.twitter.com/dm15N70TfK — Elizabeth Perkins (@Elizbethperkins) October 24, 2015
Maureen O’Hara has died. Honored to have been a part of her legacy; what a woman, what a powerhouse, what a force. pic.twitter.com/dm15N70TfK
— Elizabeth Perkins (@Elizbethperkins) October 24, 2015
RIP #MaureenOHara. Thank you for the movies and the memories. https://t.co/U55eayTWmG — George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) October 24, 2015
RIP #MaureenOHara. Thank you for the movies and the memories. https://t.co/U55eayTWmG
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) October 24, 2015
Today we mourn the loss of our friend, Maureen O’Hara. There’s a little less magic in the world without her. RIP. pic.twitter.com/Cy9Rd2z37g — Macy’s (@Macys) October 26, 2015
Today we mourn the loss of our friend, Maureen O’Hara. There’s a little less magic in the world without her. RIP. pic.twitter.com/Cy9Rd2z37g
— Macy’s (@Macys) October 26, 2015
Rest in peace, Maureen O’Hara. You were an inspiration to those of us who worked on the ’94 Miracle, and to so many others. — Mara Wilson (@MaraWritesStuff) October 24, 2015
Rest in peace, Maureen O’Hara. You were an inspiration to those of us who worked on the ’94 Miracle, and to so many others.
— Mara Wilson (@MaraWritesStuff) October 24, 2015
We are deeply saddened to hear the passing of Hollywood icon and Irish legend – Maureen O’Hara. #TheQuietMan pic.twitter.com/LU8y513ZJh — John Wayne Official (@JohnDukeWayne) October 24, 2015
We are deeply saddened to hear the passing of Hollywood icon and Irish legend – Maureen O’Hara. #TheQuietMan pic.twitter.com/LU8y513ZJh
— John Wayne Official (@JohnDukeWayne) October 24, 2015
She was called the Queen of Technicolor, because when that film process first came into use, nothing seemed to show off… Posted by The New York Times on Saturday, October 24, 2015
She was called the Queen of Technicolor, because when that film process first came into use, nothing seemed to show off…
Posted by The New York Times on Saturday, October 24, 2015
Maureen O’Hara, the flame-haired Irish movie star who appeared in classics ranging from “How Green Was My Valley” to “Miracle on 34th Street,” has died. She was 95. Posted by NBC News on Saturday, October 24, 2015
Maureen O’Hara, the flame-haired Irish movie star who appeared in classics ranging from “How Green Was My Valley” to “Miracle on 34th Street,” has died. She was 95.
Posted by NBC News on Saturday, October 24, 2015
The fiery actress was in classic films of the 1940s and ’50s like “How Green Was My Valley,” “The Quiet Man” and “Miracle on 34th Street.” Posted by Los Angeles Times on Saturday, October 24, 2015
The fiery actress was in classic films of the 1940s and ’50s like “How Green Was My Valley,” “The Quiet Man” and “Miracle on 34th Street.”
Posted by Los Angeles Times on Saturday, October 24, 2015
Her advice to those younger performers was flinty and direct. “If you really want it, go after it.” Posted by Washington Post on Saturday, October 24, 2015
Her advice to those younger performers was flinty and direct. “If you really want it, go after it.”
Posted by Washington Post on Saturday, October 24, 2015
Maureen O’Hara was surrounded by family when she died peacefully in her sleep. Posted by Entertainment Tonight on Saturday, October 24, 2015
Maureen O’Hara was surrounded by family when she died peacefully in her sleep.
Posted by Entertainment Tonight on Saturday, October 24, 2015
Legendary actress Maureen O’Hara passed away over the weekend at the age of 95. She is pictured here on the set of “Our… Posted by Life.com on Monday, October 26, 2015
Legendary actress Maureen O’Hara passed away over the weekend at the age of 95. She is pictured here on the set of “Our…
Posted by Life.com on Monday, October 26, 2015