Maureen O'Hara
Maureen FitzSimons (17 August 1920 until 24 October 15th, 2015) was an Irish singer, actress and actor who gained fame in Hollywood in the 1940s and into the 1960s. Her redhead-like nature was a draw to play strong, intelligent characters in Westerns and adventure films. Charles Laughton was the first to see her potential as a star and introduced her to Hollywood. She also had numerous collaborations alongside John Ford and John Wayne who was a friend for a long time and director. O'Hara was born in Dublin, Ireland by a Catholic family. She aspired to become an actress from an early age. At the age of 10, she began her training at the Rathmines Theatre Company and the Abbey Theatre. Screen tests were given to her, however it did not go as well as expected. Charles Laughton, however recognized her potential and set up arrangements to appear alongside him in Alfred Hitchcock's Jamaica Inn (1939). RKO Pictures offered her a contract. She also relocated to Hollywood in 1939 to appe...