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Maureen O'Sullivan
Actor

Maureen O'Sullivan

17 May 1911Born
23 Jun 1998Died
87Age at death
88Credits

Biography

Maureen Paula O'Sullivan was born in County Roscommon, Ireland, on May 17, 1911. The future mother of Mia Farrow was a schooldays classmate of Vivien Leigh at the Convent of the Sacred Heart at Roehampton in London. Even as a schoolgirl, Maureen desired an acting career; she studied hard and read widely. When the opportunity to be an actress came along, it almost dropped in her lap. The director Frank Borzage was in Dublin filming “Song o’ My Heart” (1930) when Maureen, then 18, met him. Borzage suggested a screen test, which she took. The results were more than favorable, as she won the part of Eileen O’Brien.

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The part was a substantial one, so much so that Maureen went on to Hollywood to complete the filming. Once in sunny California, Maureen wasted no time landing roles in other films such as “Just Imagine” (1930), “Princess and the Plumber” (1930), and “So This Is London” (1930). Maureen was on a roll that her contemporaries could only have wished for when they were coming up through the ranks. In 1932, Maureen was teamed up with Olympic medal winner Johnny Weissmuller for the first time in “Tarzan the Ape Man” (1932). Five other Tarzan films followed, the last being “Tarzan’s New York Adventure” (1942). The Tarzan epics rank as one of the most memorable series ever made. Most people agree that those movies would not have been successful had it not been for the fine acting talents, not to mention beauty, of Maureen O’Sullivan. But she was more than Jane Parker in the Tarzan films; she had great roles and played beautifully in films such as “The Flame Within” (1935), “David Copperfield” (1935), and “Anna Karenina” (1935). She turned in yet another fine performance in “Pride and Prejudice” (1940). After the 1940s, Maureen made far fewer films, not because she lost popularity but by choice. It isn’t always easy to walk away from a lucrative career, but she did because she wanted to devote more time to her husband, John Farrow, an Australian writer, and their seven children. The couple were married from 1936 until his death in 1963. She did not, however, retire completely; Maureen still found time to make an occasional appearance in films or TV or on the stage. Later movie-goers remember her as Elizabeth Alvorg in the hit film “Peggy Sue Got Married” (1986). Her final silver screen appearance was in “The River Pirates” (1988). Some TV movies followed, but only until 1996. She maintained homes in New Hampshire and Arizona, and it was in Scottsdale that Maureen died on June 23, 1998, of a heart attack. She was 87 years old.

Known for

Filmography

The 80 most recent of 88 credits.

  1. 2022Famous T&A 2Film: Jane Porter (archive footage) (uncredited)
  2. 2007Where Danger Lives: White Rose for JulieFilm
  3. 1994Hart to Hart: Home Is Where the Hart IsFilm: Eleanor Biddlecomb
  4. 1992The Habitation of DragonsFilm: Helen Taylor
  5. 1992With Murder in MindFilm: Aunt Mildred
  6. 1988Good Old BoyFilm: Aunt Sue
  7. 1987StrandedFilm: Grace Clark
  8. 1987Leg WorkSeries: Dorothy Richardson (1 episode)
  9. 1986Peggy Sue Got MarriedFilm: Elizabeth Alvorg
  10. 1986Hannah and Her SistersFilm: Norma
  11. 1984Too Scared to ScreamFilm: Marian Hardwick
  12. 1982Morning's at SevenFilm: Esther "Esty" Crampton
  13. 1978Mandy's GrandmotherFilm: Grandmother
  14. 1976The Great HoudinisFilm: Lady Conan Doyle
  15. 1976That's Entertainment, Part IIFilm: (archive footage)
  16. 1972The Crooked HeartsFilm: Lillian Stanton
  17. 1970The PhynxFilm: Maureen O'Sullivan
  18. 1965Never Too LateFilm: Edith Lambert
  19. 1961Ben CaseySeries (1 episode)
  20. 1958Wild HeritageFilm: Emma Breslin
  21. 1957The Edge of InnocenceFilm: Julia Williams
  22. 1957The Tall TFilm: Doretta Mims
  23. 1956The Blessed MidnightFilm: Sister Mary Benedict
  24. 1955Matinee TheaterSeries (1 episode)
  25. 1955The Little Lamb: A Christmas StoryFilm: Mother
  26. 1954The Steel CageFilm: Gladys Duffy
  27. 1954Climax!Series: Lady Dominey, Miriam (1 episode)
  28. 1954The WhistlerSeries (1 episode)
  29. 1954Duffy of San QuentinFilm: Gladys Duffy
  30. 1953Mission Over KoreaFilm: Nancy Slocum
  31. 1953All I DesireFilm: Sara Harper
  32. 1952Cavalcade of AmericaSeries: Sister Mary Benedict (1 episode)
  33. 1952Four Star PlayhouseSeries: Minna Baxter (1 episode)
  34. 1952Bonzo Goes to CollegeFilm: Marion Gateson Drew
  35. 1952Ellis in FreedomlandFilm: The Dishwasher (voice)
  36. 1951Schlitz Playhouse of StarsSeries (1 episode)
  37. 1951No Resting PlaceFilm: Nan Kyle
  38. 1950Where Danger LivesFilm: Julie
  39. 1950Lux Video TheatreSeries: Agnes Fisher, Intermission Guest, Mary, Stella (1 episode)
  40. 1948The Big ClockFilm: Georgette Stroud
  41. 1942Tarzan's New York AdventureFilm: Jane
  42. 1941Tarzan's Secret TreasureFilm: Jane
  43. 1941Maisie Was a LadyFilm: Abby Rawlston
  44. 1940Pride and PrejudiceFilm: Jane Bennet
  45. 1940Sporting BloodFilm: Linda Lockwood
  46. 1939Tarzan Finds a Son!Film: Jane Parker
  47. 1939Let Us LiveFilm: Mary Roberts
  48. 1938Spring MadnessFilm: Alexandra Benson
  49. 1938The Crowd RoarsFilm: Sheila 'Shelia' Carson
  50. 1938Port of Seven SeasFilm: Madelon
  51. 1938Hold That KissFilm: June Evans
  52. 1938A Yank at OxfordFilm: Molly Beaumont
  53. 1937My Dear Miss AldrichFilm: Martha Aldrich
  54. 1937Between Two WomenFilm: Claire Donahue
  55. 1937The Emperor's CandlesticksFilm: Maria Orlich
  56. 1937A Day at the RacesFilm: Judy Standish
  57. 1936Tarzan EscapesFilm: Jane
  58. 1936The Devil-DollFilm: Lorraine Lavond
  59. 1936The Voice of Bugle AnnFilm: Camden Terry
  60. 1935The Bishop MisbehavesFilm: Hester Grantham
  61. 1935Anna KareninaFilm: Kitty
  62. 1935Woman WantedFilm: Ann
  63. 1935The Flame WithinFilm: Linda Belton
  64. 1935Cardinal RichelieuFilm: Lenore
  65. 1935West Point of the AirFilm: 'Skip' Carter
  66. 1935David CopperfieldFilm: Dora Spenlow
  67. 1934The Barretts of Wimpole StreetFilm: Henrietta Barrett
  68. 1934Hide-OutFilm: Pauline Miller
  69. 1934The Thin ManFilm: Dorothy Wynant
  70. 1934Tarzan and His MateFilm: Jane Parker
  71. 1933Stage MotherFilm: Shirley Lorraine
  72. 1933Tugboat AnnieFilm: Patricia 'Pat' Severn
  73. 1933The Cohens and Kellys in TroubleFilm: Molly Kelly
  74. 1932Strange InterludeFilm: Madeline Arnold
  75. 1932Robbers' RoostFilm: Helen Herrick
  76. 1932Payment DeferredFilm: Winnie Marble
  77. 1932Okay, America!Film: Sheila Barton
  78. 1932Skyscraper SoulsFilm: Lynn Harding
  79. 1932Fast CompanionsFilm: Sally
  80. 1932The Silver LiningFilm: Joyce Moore

Biography and credits from TMDB. This website uses TMDB and the TMDB APIs but is not endorsed, certified, or otherwise approved by TMDB.