Shirley O'Hara (born Shirley Har; August 15, 1924 – December 13, 2002) was an American actress. She appeared in numerous films from the 1940s to the 1980s.

Biography

O'Hara was born in

Rochester, Minnesota Rochester is a city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and the county seat of Olmsted County. Located on rolling bluffs on the Zumbro River's south fork in Southeast Minnesota, the city is the home and birthplace of the renowned Mayo Clinic. Acco ...

in 1924 and graduated from Rochester High School in 1942. As a high school senior, she worked at three film theaters in downtown Rochester. After graduation, O'Hara moved to Hollywood. Her job as an elevator operator at

Saks Fifth Avenue Saks Fifth Avenue (originally Saks & Company; Colloquialism, colloquially Saks) is an American Luxury goods, luxury department store chain headquartered in New York City and founded by Andrew Saks. The original store opened in the F Street and ...

brought her in contact with people who worked with films, and she signed with

RKO Studios RKO Radio Pictures Inc., commonly known as RKO Pictures or simply RKO, was an American film production and distribution company, one of the "Big Five" film studios of Hollywood's Golden Age. The business was formed after the Keith-Albee-Orpheu ...

when she was 18 years old. She began her acting career in 1943. Her film debut was in the Kay Kyser musical '' Around the World'' (1943). Other films in which she appeared included ''

Tarzan and the Amazons ''Tarzan and the Amazons'' (1945) is an adventure film starring Johnny Weissmuller in his ninth outing as Tarzan. Brenda Joyce plays Jane, in the first of her five appearances in the role, and Johnny Sheffield makes his sixth appearance as Boy. ...

'', '' The Chase'', '' Higher and Higher'' and ''

Ghost Ship A ghost ship, also known as a phantom ship, is a vessel with no living crew aboard; it may be a fictional ghostly vessel, such as the ''Flying Dutchman'', or a physical derelict found adrift with its crew missing or dead, like the ''Mary Celest ...

'' (1952). O'Hara's figure led to her role in ''Ghost Ship'', as the result of a process that was featured in the September 13, 1943, issue of ''

Life Life is a quality that distinguishes matter that has biological processes, such as signaling and self-sustaining processes, from that which does not, and is defined by the capacity for growth, reaction to stimuli, metabolism, energ ...

''. RKO held a competition to find the "shapeliest 'shadow girl'" for the role, because the leading lady in the film was seen only in silhouette. During

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

, she received the ''Support for America'' award, acknowledging her wartime efforts with the Hollywood Canteen. She also appeared in several

TV series A television show – or simply TV show – is any content produced for viewing on a television set which can be broadcast via over-the-air, satellite, or cable, excluding breaking news, advertisements, or trailers that are typically placed betw ...

during the 1950s, including ''

Fireside Theatre ''Fireside Theatre'' (also known as ''Jane Wyman Presents'') is an American anthology drama series that ran on NBC from 1949 to 1958, and was the first successful filmed series on American television. Productions were low-budget and often based ...

'', ''

Gunsmoke ''Gunsmoke'' is an American radio and television Western drama series created by director Norman Macdonnell and writer John Meston. It centers on Dodge City, Kansas, in the 1870s, during the settlement of the American West. The central character ...

'', '' The Millionaire'', ''

Racket Squad ''Racket Squad'' is an American TV crime drama series that aired from 1951 to 1953. The format was a narrated anthology drama, as each individual episode featured various ordinary citizens getting ensnared in a different confidence scheme. E ...

'' and '' Dragnet''. In 1970, O'Hara appeared as Mrs. Drew on the TV western '' The Virginian'' in the episode "The Mysterious Mr. Tate." During the early 1970s, she was appointed director of public relations for

The Burbank Studios The Burbank Studios (formerly known as NBC Studios) is a television production facility located in Burbank, California. The studio is home to ''Days of Our Lives'', ''Extra'', the '' IHeartRadio Theater'', and was formerly home to the Blizzard ...

. In 1973, she played Mrs. Malone, a night school teacher, on the season four episode "Two Wrongs Don't Make a Writer" on ''

The Mary Tyler Moore Show ''The Mary Tyler Moore Show'' (also known simply as ''Mary Tyler Moore'') is an American television sitcom created by James L. Brooks and Allan Burns and starring actress Mary Tyler Moore. The show originally aired on CBS from 1970 to 1977. Moor ...

''. She appeared on three episodes of the ''

Bob Newhart Show ''The Bob Newhart Show'' is an American sitcom television series produced by MTM Enterprises that aired on CBS from September 16, 1972, to April 1, 1978, with a total of 142 half-hour episodes over six seasons. Comedian Bob Newhart portrays a psy ...

'' as ditzy temporary secretary, Debbie Flett. She appeared in the films ''

Duel A duel is an arranged engagement in combat between two people, with matched weapons, in accordance with agreed-upon Code duello, rules. During the 17th and 18th centuries (and earlier), duels were mostly single combats fought with swords (the r ...

'' (1971) and ''

Rocky ''Rocky'' is a 1976 American sports drama film directed by John G. Avildsen and written by and starring Sylvester Stallone. It is the first installment in the ''Rocky'' franchise and stars Talia Shire, Burt Young, Carl Weathers, and Burgess M ...

'' (1976). A member of the Publicists Guild, she retired in 1995.

Personal life

O'Hara was married to Jimmy McHugh Jr., and they lived in England, where he headed the London branch of

MCA Inc MCA may refer to: Astronomy * Mars-crossing asteroid, an asteroid whose orbit crosses that of Mars Aviation * Minimum crossing altitude, a minimum obstacle crossing altitude for fixes on published airways * Medium Combat Aircraft, a 5th gene ...

. They had one son, Jimmy McHugh III, but later divorced. Her second marriage was to

Milton Krims Milton may refer to: Names * Milton (surname), a surname (and list of people with that surname) ** John Milton (1608–1674), English poet * Milton (given name) ** Milton Friedman (1912–2006), Nobel laureate in Economics, author of '' Fre ...

Death

On December 13, 2002, O'Hara died at the Motion Picture Hospital in Calabasas, California, from complications of

diabetes Diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus, is a group of metabolic disorders characterized by a high blood sugar level ( hyperglycemia) over a prolonged period of time. Symptoms often include frequent urination, increased thirst and increased ap ...

at the age of 78.

TV and filmography

* ''

Gildersleeve on Broadway ''Gildersleeve on Broadway'' is a 1943 American film starring Harold Peary as his radio character The Great Gildersleeve. It is the third of four Gildersleeve features, others were ''The Great Gildersleeve'' (1942), ''Gildersleeve's Bad Day'' (19 ...

'' (1943) - Model (uncredited) * ''

Government Girl ''Government Girl'' is a 1943 American romantic-comedy film, produced and directed by Dudley Nichols and starring Olivia de Havilland and Sonny Tufts. Based on a story by Adela Rogers St. Johns, and written by Dudley Nichols and Budd Schulberg, th ...

'' (1943) - Girl in Hotel Lobby (uncredited) * '' Around the World'' (1943) - Shirley (uncredited) * '' Higher and Higher'' (1943) - Bridesmaid (uncredited) * ''

The Ghost Ship ''The Ghost Ship'' is a 1943 American black-and-white psychological thriller film, with elements of mystery and horror, directed by Mark Robson, starring Richard Dix and featuring Russell Wade, Edith Barrett, Ben Bard and Edmund Glover, alo ...

'' (1943) - Ellen's Sister (uncredited) * ''

The Falcon Out West ''The Falcon Out West'' (aka ''The Falcon in Texas'') is a 1944 American mystery film directed by William Clemens and starring Tom Conway, Joan Barclay and Barbara Hale. The film was part of RKO's The Falcon series of detective films, this time ...

'' (1944) - Hat Check Girl (uncredited) * ''

Seven Days Ashore ''Seven Days Ashore'' is a 1944 American comedy film directed by John H. Auer and written by Edward Verdier, Irving Phillips and Lawrence Kimble. The film stars Wally Brown, Alan Carney, Marcy McGuire, Virginia Mayo, Elaine Shepard, Gordon Olive ...

'' (1944) - Girl in Band (uncredited) * ''

Show Business Show business, sometimes shortened to show biz or showbiz (since 1945), is a vernacular term for all aspects of the entertainment industry.''Oxford English Dictionary'' 2nd Ed. (1989) From the business side (including managers, agents, produc ...

'' (1944) - Chorine (uncredited) * '' Step Lively'' (1944) - Louise, 'Daughter' in Rehearsal (uncredited) * ''

Three Is a Family ''Three Is a Family'' is a 1944 American comedy film directed by Edward Ludwig and starring Marjorie Reynolds, Charlie Ruggles, and Fay Bainter. The film was nominated for an Academy Awards, Academy Award for Academy Award for Best Sound, Best So ...

'' (1944) - Janet (uncredited) * ''

'' (1945) - Athena * '' Cuban Pete'' (1946) - Girl (uncredited) * '' The Runaround'' (1946) - Stewardess (uncredited) * '' Lover Come Back'' (1946) - Show Girl (uncredited) * '' The Chase'' (1946) - Manicurist * ''

Love Laughs at Andy Hardy ''Love Laughs at Andy Hardy'' is a 1946 American film released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, directed by Willis Goldbeck and starring Mickey Rooney and Lewis Stone. The film is also known under its American promotional title ''Uncle Andy Hardy''. Th ...

'' (1946) - College Coed (uncredited) * ''

Bells of San Fernando ''Bells of San Fernando'' is a 1947 American romantic adventure film directed by Terry O. Morse. Duncan Renaldo co-wrote the screenplay and was an associate producer of the film. The film is also known as ''Gold in San Fernando'' in Austria. ...

'' (1947) - Nita * ''

'' (1952) * ''

Mr. and Mrs. North ''Mr. and Mrs. North'' are fictional American amateur detectives. Created by Frances and Richard Lockridge, the couple was featured in a series of 26 Mr. and Mrs. North novels, a Broadway play, a motion picture and several radio and television ...

'' (1953) - Phyllis Tucker * ''

'' (1953) - Mary Casey / Lucinda * ''Crime Wave'' (1953) - Girl with Bandaged Man (uncredited) * ''

Schlitz Playhouse of Stars ''Schlitz Playhouse of Stars'' is an anthology series that was telecast from 1951 until 1959 on CBS. Offering both Television comedy, comedies and Dramatic programming, drama, the series was sponsored by the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company. The ti ...

'' (1953) - Landlady * ''

December Bride ''December Bride'' is an American sitcom that aired on the CBS television network from 1954 to 1959. It was adapted from the original CBS radio network series of the same name that aired from June 1952 through September 1953. Overview ''Dec ...

'' (1954) * ''

The Star and the Story ''The Star and the Story'' is an American television anthology series which aired 1955–1956 in first-run syndication. A filmed half-hour series, episodes were approximately 25 minutes long, excluding commercials. Produced by Four Star Product ...

'' (1955) - Mrs. Canelli * ''

Highway Patrol A highway patrol, or state patrol is either a police unit created primarily for the purpose of overseeing and enforcing traffic safety compliance on roads and highways, or a detail within an existing local or regional police agency that is prima ...

'' (1956) - Payroll Clerk * ''Sneak Preview'' (1956) * '' The Detectives'' (1960) - Mrs. Stalker * ''

The 3rd Voice ''The 3rd Voice'' (also known as ''The Third Voice'') is a 1960 American neo noir thriller crime drama film directed and written by Hubert Cornfield, who also produced the film with Maury Dexter. It is based on the novel ''All the Way'' by C ...

'' (1960) - Carreras' Secretary * ''

Sea Hunt ''Sea Hunt'' is an American action adventure television series that aired in syndication from 1958 to 1961 and was popular for decades afterwards. The series originally aired for four seasons, with 155 episodes produced. It stars Lloyd Bridges as ...

'' (1960) - Fran Parmalee * ''

The High Powered Rifle ''The High Powered Rifle'' is a 1960 American action film produced and directed by Maury Dexter and written by Joseph Fritz. The film stars Willard Parker, Allison Hayes, Dan Simmons, John Holland, Shirley O'Hara and Terrea Lea. The film was re ...

'' (1960) - Jean Brewster * ''

Stagecoach West Stagecoach West is the trading name of Cheltenham & Gloucester Omnibus Company Limited, a bus operator providing services in Gloucestershire, Bristol, Swindon, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, North Somerset and Herefordshire, in the West of England. ...

'' (1960) - Mrs. Jessup * '' Rawhide'' (1960) - Mrs. Slocum * '' Lock Up'' (1960) - Harriet Janis * '' Schwarzer Kies'' (1961) * '' The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come'' (1961) - Mrs. Turner * ''

Love in a Goldfish Bowl ''Love in a Goldfish Bowl'' is a 1961 teen film directed by Jack Sher starring singing idols Tommy Sands and Fabian. Plot Gordon Slide and Blythe Holloway are two platonic best friends at a college, both from single-parent families. They are so ...

'' (1961) - Clara Dumont * ''

Bus Stop A bus stop is a place where buses stop for passengers to get on and off the bus. The construction of bus stops tends to reflect the level of usage, where stops at busy locations may have shelters, seating, and possibly electronic passenger ...

'' (1961) - Mattie * ''

The Twilight Zone ''The Twilight Zone'' is an American media franchise based on the anthology television series created by Rod Serling. The episodes are in various genres, including fantasy, science fiction, absurdism, dystopian fiction, suspense, horror, su ...

'' (1961-1963, TV Series) - Colonist / George's Wife * ''

The Untouchables Untouchables or The Untouchables may refer to: American history * Untouchables (law enforcement), a 1930s American law enforcement unit led by Eliot Ness * ''The Untouchables'' (book), an autobiography by Eliot Ness and Oscar Fraley * ''The U ...

'' (1962) - Mrs. Halvorsen * '' Stoney Burke'' (1962) - Nurse * '' The Eleventh Hour'' (1962-1963, TV Series) - Miss Pendleton / Nurse / Mrs. Stanger * ''

Sam Benedict ''Sam Benedict'' is an American legal drama that aired on NBC from September 1962 to March 1963. The series was created and executive produced by E. Jack Neuman. The character Sam Benedict is based on real-life lawyer Jake Ehrlich, who served as ...

'' (1963) - Helen Eddy * '' The Outer Limits'' (1963) * ''

'' (1960 - 1963) - Florie Neff / Mrs. Kurtch / Martha Guilbert * '' Sylvia'' (1965) - Mrs. Karoki * ''

Perry Mason Perry Mason is a fictional character, an American criminal defense lawyer who is the main character in works of detective fiction written by Erle Stanley Gardner. Perry Mason features in 82 novels and 4 short stories, all of which involve a cli ...

'' (1965) - Superintendent * '' The Fugitive'' (1966) - Landlady * '' The Hostage'' (1967) - Mrs. Primus * '' Mannix, Season 2-Episode 23 "The Solid Gold Web"'' (1969) * '' Mannix, Season 3-Episode 21 "Fly, Little One"'' (1970) * '' Mannix, Season 4-Episode 22 "The Color Of Murder"'' (1971) * ''

Room 222 ''Room 222'' is an American comedy-drama television series produced by 20th Century Fox Television that aired on ABC for 112 episodes, from September 17, 1969 until January 11, 1974. The show was broadcast on Wednesday evenings at 8:30 ( EST) fo ...

'' (1970) - Miss Foss / Teacher * ''

The Young Lawyers ''The Young Lawyers'' is an American legal drama that was aired on the ABC network for one season from September 21, 1970, until March 24, 1971. Starring Lee J. Cobb, Zalman King, Judy Pace and Phillip Clark, the show was a part of the network's ...

'' (1970) - Dr. Louise Cantrell * ''

The Virginian (TV series) ''The Virginian'' (later renamed ''The Men from Shiloh'' in its final year) is an American Western television series starring James Drury in the title role, along with Doug McClure, Lee J. Cobb, and others. It originally aired on NBC from 1962 ...

'' (1970) saison 9 episode 05 ''(The mysterious Mr.Tate)'' : Mrs.Drew * ''

'' (1971) - Waitress * ''

Emergency! ''Emergency!'' is an American action-adventure medical drama television series jointly produced by Mark VII Limited and Universal Television. Debuting on NBC as a midseason replacement on January 15, 1972, replacing the two short-lived situatio ...

'' (1973) - Ellie * ''

The Streets of San Francisco ''The Streets of San Francisco'' is a television crime drama filmed on location in San Francisco and produced by Quinn Martin, Quinn Martin Productions, with the first season produced in association with Warner Bros. Television (QM produced the ...

'' (1976) - Mrs. Evans * ''

'' (1976) - Secretary * ''

Mary Tyler Moore Mary Tyler Moore (December 29, 1936 – January 25, 2017) was an American actress, producer, and social advocate. She is best known for her roles on ''The Dick Van Dyke Show'' (1961–1966) and ''The Mary Tyler Moore Show'' (1970–1977), which ...

'' (1975, TV Series) - night school teacher * ''

Rhoda ''Rhoda'' is an American television sitcom created by James L. Brooks and Allan Burns starring Valerie Harper that originally aired on CBS for five seasons from September 9, 1974, to December 9, 1978. It was the first spin-off of ''The Mary Tyle ...

'' (1977) - Marge * ''Flight to Holocaust'' (1977) - Mrs. Bender * '' Quincy'' (1978) - Mrs. Barnett * ''

The Incredible Hulk The Hulk is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in the debut issue of '' The Incredible Hulk'' (May 1962). In his comic book a ...

'' (1978) - Mrs. MacIntire * ''

CHiPs ''CHiPs'' is an American crime drama television series created by Rick Rosner and originally aired on NBC from September 15, 1977, to May 1, 1983. It follows the lives of two motorcycle officers of the California Highway Patrol (CHP). The serie ...

'' (1978) - Elderly Woman * ''

Crash Crash or CRASH may refer to: Common meanings * Collision, an impact between two or more objects * Crash (computing), a condition where a program ceases to respond * Cardiac arrest, a medical condition in which the heart stops beating * Couch su ...

'' (1978) * ''

Lucan Marcus Annaeus Lucanus (3 November 39 AD – 30 April 65 AD), better known in English as Lucan (), was a Roman poet, born in Corduba (modern-day Córdoba), in Hispania Baetica. He is regarded as one of the outstanding figures of the Imperial ...

'' (1978) - Sally * ''Getting Wasted'' (1980) - Mrs. Kramer (final film role)

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:OHara, Shirley 1924 births 2002 deaths American film actresses American television actresses People from Rochester, Minnesota Deaths from diabetes 20th-century American actresses