Maureen O'Hara, who was born in Dublin on August 17, 1920, opened up about her glamorous life, "The Quiet Man," John Wayne, Alfred Hitchcock, and more in this 2014 interview with Nick Thomas. Despite roles in over 50 feature films spanning five decades, including big-screen classics such as “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (1939), “Miracle on 34th Street” (1947), and the original “The Parent Trap” (1961), Irish screen legend Maureen O’Hara was never nominated for a competitive Oscar. Sign up to IrishCentral's newsletter to stay up-to-date with everything Irish! However, in November 2014, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognized the fiery, redheaded, Irish actress’s lifetime achievement in film with an Honorary Oscar during the 6th Annual Governors Awards.
“It was very exciting news and I’m so proud to be recognized by my peers,” said O’Hara from Boise, Idaho, where she lived with family. “I almost didn’t believe it when the president of the Academy called, because I thought the awards were over and done with for this year." O’Hara was one of the most beloved classic film actresses, noted for playing feisty females and often alongside John Wayne in five films such as “McLintock!” (1963), John Ford’s “Rio Grande” (1950) and, of course, “The Quiet Man” (1952).
Stunningly beautiful throughout her career, O’Hara says she managed to avoid romantic entanglements with her leading men. “They were just dear friends,” she .