Hollywood legend Maureen O'Hara has passed away at age 95.
Ms. O'Hara was born in Ireland in 1920 and wanted to become an actress from an early age. Her father, a practical man, discouraged her from pursuing an acting career and she compromised by taking courses in secretarial skills. Her first screen test was a disaster, but the actor Charles Laughton saw it and became entranced by the fiery redhead. He soon recommended her to his business partner who quickly signed her up. Ms. O'Hara was now a movie star.
While Ms. O'Hara was a standout actress in black and white, she was even more so in technicolor when audiences could see her red hair.
Ms. O'Hara's characters were always outspoken, brash and brave. She made her Disney debut in the classic film The Parent Trap opposite a young Hayley Mills who played her daughter.
Ms. O'Hara retired from the screen, occasionally reappearing to meet her fans and share stories about her famed roles during the golden age of Hollywood. One of her last roles was as the feisty mother of John Candy in Only the Lonely.
Always witty, intelligent and strong willed, Ms. O'Hara was one of our last ties to the Golden Age of American film. Her feisty presence on the screen has never been matched and she will forever be missed. Luckily her great performances will always be with us.
