One of the great actresses in the Golden Era of Hollywood films passed away last Friday, on October 24, 2015. Maureen O’ Hara died peacefully in her sleep at the age of 95. She was surrounded by her loving family at her home in Boise, Idaho, and she was listening to the music from her favorite movie when she passed away.
O’Hara had a sensational career that included roles in extraordinarily iconic films, and she acted in over 60 movies. She first rose to fame in John Ford’s hit, “How Green Was My Valley,” that beat “Citizen Kane for the Best Movie Oscar award in 1941. The Irish actress went on to star in several of John Ford’s other films.
In her next film with Ford, “Rio Grande,” O’Hara first worked with John Wayne. She became his favorite actress to work with, and they also were paired together on “The Quiet Man,” a movie that won two Oscar awards. Their chemistry and admiration for each other made their movies extremely popular.
O’Hara is also famous for her role in “Miracle on 34th Street,” where she plays a mother who finds romance with the help of Santa Claus. Her ability to play female characters with a unique blend of strength and sensitivity made O’Hara a sought after actress. In addition to her brilliant acting, O’Hara’s fiery red hair and porcelain complexion made her a beauty icon.
O’Hara lived a long and happy life before passing away, and she continued to act far into her old age. Though O’Hara will be greatly missed, her contributions to the art of film ensure that her legacy lives on.