Una O'Connor (born Agnes Teresa McGlade, 23 October 1880 – 4 February 1959) was an Irish-born American

actress An actor or actress is a person who portrays a character in a performance. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of the theatre or in modern media such as film, radio, and television. The analogous Greek term is (), lit ...

who worked extensively in

theatre Theatre or theater is a collaborative form of performing art that uses live performers, usually actors or actresses, to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place, often a stage. The perfor ...

before becoming a character actress in film and in television. She often portrayed comical wives, housekeepers and servants. In 2020, she was listed at number 19 on ''

The Irish Times ''The Irish Times'' is an Irish daily broadsheet newspaper and online digital publication. It launched on 29 March 1859. The editor is Ruadhán Mac Cormaic. It is published every day except Sundays. ''The Irish Times'' is considered a newspaper ...

'' list of Ireland's greatest film actors.

Life and work

O'Connor was born to a Catholic nationalist family in

Belfast Belfast ( , ; from ga, Béal Feirste , meaning 'mouth of the sand-bank ford') is the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland, standing on the banks of the River Lagan on the east coast. It is the 12th-largest city in the United Kingd ...

, Ireland. Her mother died when she was two; her father was a landowner/ farmer, ensuring that the family always had income from family land."Notes on a Cockney Accent," ''New York Times'' (1 September 1940). He soon left for Australia and McGlade was brought up by an aunt, studying at St Dominic's School, Belfast, convent schools and in

Paris Paris () is the capital and most populous city of France, with an estimated population of 2,165,423 residents in 2019 in an area of more than 105 km² (41 sq mi), making it the 30th most densely populated city in the world in 2020. ...

. Thinking she would pursue teaching, she enrolled in the South Kensington School of Art. Before taking up teaching duties, she enrolled in the Abbey School of Acting (affiliated with

Dublin Dublin (; , or ) is the capital and largest city of Ireland. On a bay at the mouth of the River Liffey, it is in the province of Leinster, bordered on the south by the Dublin Mountains, a part of the Wicklow Mountains range. At the 2016 ...

Abbey Theatre The Abbey Theatre ( ga, Amharclann na Mainistreach), also known as the National Theatre of Ireland ( ga, Amharclann Náisiúnta na hÉireann), in Dublin, Ireland, is one of the country's leading cultural institutions. First opening to the pu ...

). Her career with the Abbey lasted from 1912 - 1934 where she performed in many productions; these are listed in the Abbey Theatre Archives. She changed her name when she began her acting career with the Abbey Theatre. One of her earliest appearances was in

George Bernard Shaw George Bernard Shaw (26 July 1856 – 2 November 1950), known at his insistence simply as Bernard Shaw, was an Irish playwright, critic, polemicist and political activist. His influence on Western theatre, culture and politics extended from ...

's '' The Shewing-Up of Blanco Posnet'' in which she played the part of a swaggering American ranch girl. The production played in Dublin as well as in New York, opening 20 November 1911 at the Maxine Elliott Theatre, marking O'Connor's American debut. By 1913, she was based in

London London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary dow ...

, where she appeared in ''The Magic Jug'', '' The Starlight Express'' (1915-16 at the Kingsway Theatre), and ''Paddy the Next Best Thing''. In the early 1920s, she appeared as a cockney maid in ''Plus Fours'' followed in 1924 by her portrayal of a cockney waitress in

Frederick Lonsdale Frederick Lonsdale (5 February 1881 – 4 April 1954) was a British playwright known for his librettos to several successful musicals early in the 20th century, including ''King of Cadonia'' (1908), '' The Balkan Princess'' (1910), '' Betty'' ( ...

's ''The Fake''. In a single paragraph review, an unnamed reviewer noted "Una O'Connor's low comedy hotel maid was effectively handled." The latter show also played in New York (with O'Connor in the cast), opening 6 October 1924 at the

Hudson Theatre The Hudson Theatre is a Broadway theater at 139–141 West 44th Street, between Seventh Avenue and Sixth Avenue, in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City. One of the oldest surviving Broadway venues, the Hudson was built ...

. A review of the New York performances of ''The Fake'' recounts details of the plot, but then mentions

two players of more than ordinary excellence. In the third act of ''The Fake'' occurs a scene between Una O'Connor and Godfrey Tearle, with Miss O'Connor as a waitress trying a crude sort of flirtation with Mr. Tearle. He does not respond at all and the longing, the pathos of this servant girl when she has exhausted her charms and receives no encouragement, is the very epitome of what careful character portrayal should be. Miss O'Connor is on the stage for only this single act, but in that short space of time she registers an indelible impression. Rightly, she scored one of the best hits of the performance.

These two plays in which she portrayed servants and waitresses appear to have portended her future career. Returning to London, she played in ''The Ring o' Bells'' (November 1925), ''Autumn Fire'' (March 1926), ''Distinguished Villa'' (May 1926), and ''Quicksands of Youth'' (July 1926). When ''Autumn Fire'' toured the U.S., opening first in Providence, Rhode Island, a critic wrote: "Una O'Connor, who plays Ellen Keegan, the poor drudge of a daughter, bitter against life and love, does fine work. Her excellence will undoubtedly win her the love of an American public." She made her first appearance on film in ''

Dark Red Roses ''Dark Red Roses'' is a 1929 British film directed by Sinclair Hill. The film includes a sequence featuring the Ballets Russes choreographed by George Balanchine. Cast * Stewart Rome as David * Frances Doble as Laura * Hugh Eden as Anton ...

'' (1929), followed by ''

Murder! ''Murder!'' is a 1930 British thriller film co-written and directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Herbert Marshall, Norah Baring and Edward Chapman. Written by Hitchcock, his wife Alma Reville and Walter C. Mycroft, it is based on the 1 ...

'' (1930) directed by

Alfred Hitchcock Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock (13 August 1899 – 29 April 1980) was an English filmmaker. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of cinema. In a career spanning six decades, he directed over 50 featur ...

, and an uncredited part in '' To Oblige a Lady'' (1931). Despite her lengthy apprenticeship, she had attracted little attention. British critic Eric Johns recalled meeting her in 1931 in which she confessed: "I don't know what I'm going to do if I don't get work ... The end of my savings is in sight and unless something happens soon, I'll not be able to pay the rent".Eric Johns, "Fame Came at Fifty to Una O'Connor," ''The Stage'' (12 February 1959). Her luck changed when she was chosen by

Noël Coward Sir Noël Peirce Coward (16 December 189926 March 1973) was an English playwright, composer, director, actor, and singer, known for his wit, flamboyance, and what ''Time (magazine), Time'' magazine called "a sense of personal style, a combina ...

to appear in ''

Cavalcade A cavalcade is a procession or parade on horseback, or a mass trail ride by a company of riders. The focus of a cavalcade is participation rather than display. Often, the participants do not wear costumes or ride in formation. Often, a cav ...

'' at the

Theatre Royal, Drury Lane The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, commonly known as Drury Lane, is a West End theatre and Grade I listed building in Covent Garden, London, England. The building faces Catherine Street (earlier named Bridges or Brydges Street) and backs onto ...

in 1933. Expressing surprise that Coward noticed her, Coward responded that he had watched her for years and wrote the part with her in mind. She portrayed an Edwardian servant who transforms herself into a self-made woman. When the curtain came down after a performance attended by

Hollywood Hollywood usually refers to: * Hollywood, Los Angeles, a neighborhood in California * Hollywood, a metonym for the cinema of the United States Hollywood may also refer to: Places United States * Hollywood District (disambiguation) * Hollywoo ...

executives, they exclaimed to each other "We must have that Irish woman. That is obvious". Her success led her to reprise her role in the film version of ''

'', released in 1933, and with its success, O'Connor decided to remain in the United States. Among O'Connor's most successful and best remembered roles are her comic performances in

James Whale James Whale (22 July 1889 – 29 May 1957) was an English film director, theatre director and actor, who spent the greater part of his career in Hollywood. He is best remembered for several horror films: ''Frankenstein'' (1931), '' The Old ...

's ''

The Invisible Man ''The Invisible Man'' is a science fiction novel by H. G. Wells. Originally serialized in '' Pearson's Weekly'' in 1897, it was published as a novel the same year. The Invisible Man to whom the title refers is Griffin, a scientist who has devo ...

'' (1933) as the publican's wife, and in ''

Bride of Frankenstein ''Bride of Frankenstein'' is a 1935 American science fiction horror film, and the first sequel to Universal Pictures' 1931 film ''Frankenstein''. As with the first film, ''Bride of Frankenstein'' was directed by James Whale starring Boris Karl ...

'' (1935) as the Baron's housekeeper. She also appeared two films for director

John Ford John Martin Feeney (February 1, 1894 – August 31, 1973), known professionally as John Ford, was an American film director and naval officer. He is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential filmmakers of his generation. He ...

: '' The Informer'' (1935) and ''

The Plough and the Stars ''The Plough and the Stars'' is a four-act play by the Irish writer Seán O'Casey that was first performed on 8 February 1926 at the Abbey Theatre. It is set in Dublin and addresses the 1916 Easter Rising. The play's title references the Star ...

'' (1936). Feeling homesick, in 1937 she returned to London for twelve months in the hope of finding a good part but found nothing that interested her. While in England she appeared in three live

BBC Television BBC Television is a service of the BBC. The corporation has operated a Public service broadcasting in the United Kingdom, public broadcast television service in the United Kingdom, under the terms of a royal charter, since 1927. It produced t ...

productions, including a play by Irish playwright Teresa Deevy called ''In Search of Valour'' (1939) in which she played the part of Stasia Claremorris. After her return to America, the storage facility that housed her furniture and car was destroyed in one of

The Blitz The Blitz was a German bombing campaign against the United Kingdom in 1940 and 1941, during the Second World War. The term was first used by the British press and originated from the term , the German word meaning 'lightning war'. The Germa ...

strikes, which she took as a sign to remain in America. Her film career continued with roles in

Michael Curtiz Michael Curtiz ( ; born Manó Kaminer; since 1905 Mihály Kertész; hu, Kertész Mihály; December 24, 1886 April 10, 1962) was a Hungarian-American film director, recognized as one of the most prolific directors in history. He directed cla ...

's ''

The Adventures of Robin Hood ''The Adventures of Robin Hood'' is a 1938 American Technicolor swashbuckler film from Warner Bros. Pictures. It was produced by Hal B. Wallis and Henry Blanke, directed by Michael Curtiz and William Keighley, and stars Errol Flynn, Olivia ...

'' (1938) and '' The Sea Hawk'' (1940); and in

Leo McCarey Thomas Leo McCarey (October 3, 1898 – July 5, 1969) was an American film director, screenwriter, and producer. He was involved in nearly 200 films, the most well known today being ''Duck Soup'', '' Make Way for Tomorrow'', '' The Awful T ...

's '' The Bells of St. Mary's'' (1944). She appeared in stage productions in supporting roles and achieved an outstanding success in the role of Janet McKenzie, the nearly deaf housemaid, in

Agatha Christie Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie, Lady Mallowan, (; 15 September 1890 – 12 January 1976) was an English writer known for her 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections, particularly those revolving around fictiona ...

's ''

Witness for the Prosecution In law, a witness is someone who has knowledge about a matter, whether they have sensed it or are testifying on another witnesses' behalf. In law a witness is someone who, either voluntarily or under compulsion, provides testimonial evidence, e ...

'' at Henry Miller's Theatre on Broadway from 1954 to 1956; she also appeared in the film version in 1957, directed by

Billy Wilder Billy Wilder (; ; born Samuel Wilder; June 22, 1906 – March 27, 2002) was an Austrian-American filmmaker. His career in Hollywood spanned five decades, and he is regarded as one of the most brilliant and versatile filmmakers of Classic Holl ...

. As one of the witnesses, in what was essentially a serious drama, O'Connor's character was intended to provide

comic relief Comic relief is the inclusion of a humorous character, scene, or witty dialogue in an otherwise serious work, often to relieve tension. Definition Comic relief usually means a releasing of emotional or other tension resulting from a comic epis ...

. It was her final film performance. After a break from her initial forays in television, she took up the medium again by 1950. In 1952, she was able to state that she had been in 38 productions that year alone.Una O'Connor, "Television in America," ''The Stage'' (20 November 1952), p. 7. In a rare article written by O'Connor, she called working in television "the most exacting and nerve-racking experience that has ever come my way. It is an attempt to do two things at once, a combination of stage and screen techniques with the compensations of neither". Observing many actors disliked television work, O'Connor took the opposite view in liking the medium it because it allowed her to play many parts. She lamented that preparation for television work was too short a period for an actor to fully realize the depths of role characterization, but it showed an actor's mettle by the enormous amount of work needed. "Acting talent alone is not enough for the job. It requires intense concentration, an alert-quickmindedness that can take changes in direction at the last minute". O'Connor concluded presciently: "It sounds fantastic and that is just exactly what it is, but it also an expanding field of employment that has come to stay. As such it is more than welcome here, where the living theatre seems determinedly headed the opposite way". Reportedly she was "happily resigned" to being typecast as a servant. "There's no such thing as design in an acting career. You just go along with the tide. Nine times out of ten one successful part will set you in a rut from which only a miracle can pry you". Her weak heart was detected in 1932 when her arrival in America began with detention at Ellis Island because of a "congenital heart condition". By the time of her appearance in the stage version of ''Witness for the Prosecution'' she had to stay in bed all day, emerging only to get to the theater and then leaving curtain calls early to return to her bed. Her appearance in the film version was intended to be her last.

Critical responses

Eric Johns described O'Connor as

... a frail little woman, with enormous eyes that reminded one of a hunted animal. She could move one to tears with the greatest of ease, and just as easily reduce an audience to helpless laughter in comedies of situation. She was mistress of the art of making bricks without straw. She could take a very small part, but out of the paltry lines at her disposal, create a real flesh-and-blood creature, with a complete and credible life of its own.

She admired

John Galsworthy John Galsworthy (; 14 August 1867 – 31 January 1933) was an English novelist and playwright. Notable works include '' The Forsyte Saga'' (1906–1921) and its sequels, ''A Modern Comedy'' and ''End of the Chapter''. He won the Nobel Prize ...

and claimed to have read all his works. She once said "Acting is a gift from God. It is like a singer's voice. I might quite easily wake up one morning to find that it has been taken from me."

Personal life and death

O'Connor became an American citizen on 3 March 1952. She had been living at the Windsor House at 100 West 58th Street in Manhattan. She died, having never married nor had children, in New York City from

heart disease Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a class of diseases that involve the heart or blood vessels. CVD includes coronary artery diseases (CAD) such as angina and myocardial infarction (commonly known as a heart attack). Other CVDs include stroke, ...

, aged 78, on 4 February 1959 at the Mary Manning Walsh Home. She is interred in Calvary Cemetery in

Queens, New York Queens is a borough of New York City, coextensive with Queens County, in the U.S. state of New York. Located on Long Island, it is the largest New York City borough by area. It is bordered by the borough of Brooklyn at the western tip of Long Is ...

.Wilson, Scott. ''Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons'', 3d ed.: 2 (Kindle Locations 25047-25048). McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. Kindle Edition.

Complete filmography

* ''

'' (1929) as Mrs. Weeks * ''

'' (1930) as Mrs. Grogram * '' To Oblige a Lady'' (1931) (uncredited) * ''

'' (1933) as Ellen Bridges * ''

Pleasure Cruise ''Pleasure Cruise'' is a 1933 American Pre-Code comedy film directed by Frank Tuttle and written by Guy Bolton. The film stars Genevieve Tobin, Roland Young, Ralph Forbes, Una O'Connor, Herbert Mundin and Minna Gombell. The film was released ...

'' (1933) as Mrs. Signus * '' Timbuctoo'' (1933) as Myrtle * '' Horse Play'' (1933) as Clementia * '' Mary Stevens, M.D.'' (1933) as Mrs. Arnell Simmons * ''

'' (1933) as Jenny Hall * '' Orient Express'' (1934) as Mrs. Peters * '' The Poor Rich'' (1934) as Lady Fetherstone * '' All Men Are Enemies'' (1934) as Annie * ''

Stingaree The Stingaree was a neighborhood of San Diego between the boom of the 1880s and the demolition and vice eradication campaign of 1916. The reason for the neighborhood's fame was its role as the home to the city's "undesirables", including prostitut ...

'' (1934) as Annie * '' Chained'' (1934) as Amy, Diane's Maid * ''

The Barretts of Wimpole Street ''The Barretts of Wimpole Street'' is a 1930 play by the Dutch/English dramatist Rudolf Besier, based on the romance between Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett, and her father's unwillingness to allow them to marry. The play gave actress Ka ...

'' (1934) as Wilson * '' Father Brown, Detective'' (1934) as Mrs. Boggs * ''

David Copperfield ''David Copperfield'' Dickens invented over 14 variations of the title for this work, see is a novel in the bildungsroman genre by Charles Dickens, narrated by the eponymous David Copperfield, detailing his adventures in his journey from inf ...

'' (1935) as Mrs. Gummidge * ''

'' (1935) as Minnie * '' The Informer'' (1935) as Mrs. McPhillip * ''

Thunder in the Night ''Thunder in the Night'' is a 1935 American crime film directed by George Archainbaud and written by Frances Hyland and Eugene Solow. It is based on the 1934 play ''A Woman Lies'' by Ladislas Fodor. The film stars Edmund Lowe, Karen Morley, Pau ...

'' (1935) as Julie - Hotel Chambermaid * '' The Perfect Gentleman'' (1936) as Harriet Chatteris * '' Rose-Marie'' (1936) as Anna Roderick * ''

Little Lord Fauntleroy ''Little Lord Fauntleroy'' is a novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett. It was published as a serial in ''St. Nicholas Magazine'' from November 1885 to October 1886, then as a book by Scribner's (the publisher of ''St. Nicholas'') in 1886. The il ...

'' (1936) as Mary * '' Suzy'' (1936) as Landlady * ''

Lloyd's of London Lloyd's of London, generally known simply as Lloyd's, is an insurance and reinsurance market located in London, England. Unlike most of its competitors in the industry, it is not an insurance company; rather, Lloyd's is a corporate body gove ...

'' (1936) as Widow Blake * ''

'' (1936) as Mrs. Gogan * ''

Personal Property property is property that is movable. In common law systems, personal property may also be called chattels or personalty. In civil law systems, personal property is often called movable property or movables—any property that can be moved fro ...

'' (1937) as Clara, Crystal's Maid * '' Call It a Day'' (1937) as Mrs. Milson, the Housekeeper * ''

'' (1938) as Bess * '' The Return of the Frog'' (1938) as Mum Oaks * '' We Are Not Alone'' (1939) as Susan O'Connor, Newcome's Maid * '' All Women Have Secrets'' (1939) as Mary * '' His Brother's Keeper'' (1940) as Eva * '' It All Came True'' (1940) as Maggie Ryan * ''

Lillian Russell Lillian Russell (born Helen Louise Leonard; December 4, 1860 or 1861 – June 6, 1922), was an American actress and singer. She became one of the most famous actresses and singers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, known for her beauty ...

'' (1940) as Marie * '' The Sea Hawk'' (1940) as Miss Latham * '' He Stayed for Breakfast'' (1940) as Doreta * ''

The Strawberry Blonde ''The Strawberry Blonde'' is a 1941 American romantic comedy film directed by Raoul Walsh, starring James Cagney and Olivia de Havilland, and featuring Rita Hayworth, Alan Hale, Jack Carson, and George Tobias. Set in New York City aroun ...

'' (1941) as Mrs. Mulcahey * '' Her First Beau'' (1941) as Effie * '' Kisses for Breakfast'' (1941) as Ellie * '' Three Girls About Town'' (1941) as Maggie O'Callahan * '' Always in My Heart'' (1942) as Angie * '' My Favourite Spy'' (1942) as Cora * '' Random Harvest'' (1942) as Tobacconist * '' Forever and a Day'' (1943) as Mrs. Caroline Ismay * '' This Land Is Mine'' (1943) as Mrs. Emma Lory * '' Holy Matrimony'' (1943) as Sarah Leek * '' Government Girl'' (1943) as Mrs. Harris * '' The Canterville Ghost'' (1944) as Mrs. Umney * ''

My Pal Wolf ''My Pal Wolf'' is a 1944 American drama film directed by Alfred L. Werker from a screenplay by Lillie Hayward, Leonard Praskins and John Paxton based on a story by Frederick Hazlitt Brennan. Produced and distributed by RKO Radio Pictures, the fi ...

'' (1944) as Mrs. Blevin * '' Christmas in Connecticut'' (1945) as Norah * '' The Bells of St. Mary's'' (1945) as Mrs. Breen * '' Cluny Brown'' (1946) as Mrs. Wilson * '' Of Human Bondage'' (1946) as Mrs. Foreman * '' Child of Divorce'' (1946) as Nora, the Maid * '' The Return of Monte Cristo'' (1946) as Miss Beedle * '' Unexpected Guest'' (1947) as Matilda Hackett * ''

Lost Honeymoon ''Lost Honeymoon'' is a 1947 American screwball comedy film directed by Leigh Jason and starring Franchot Tone, Ann Richards and Tom Conway. The working title of the film was ''Amy Comes Across''.''AFI Catalog of Motion Pictures Produced in ...

'' (1947) as Mrs. Tubbs * ''

Banjo The banjo is a stringed instrument with a thin membrane stretched over a frame or cavity to form a resonator. The membrane is typically circular, and usually made of plastic, or occasionally animal skin. Early forms of the instrument were fashi ...

'' (1947) as Harriet * '' The Corpse Came C.O.D.'' (1947) as Nora * '' Ivy'' (1947) as Matilda Thrawn * ''

Fighting Father Dunne ''Fighting Father Dunne'' is a 1948 American biographical film about the life of Father Peter Dunne, and the creation of his News Boys Home in St. Louis, Missouri. Directed by Ted Tetzlaff, the screenplay was written by Martin Rackin and Frank ...

'' (1948) as Miss O'Rourke * '' Adventures of Don Juan'' (1948) as Duenna * '' Ha da venì ... don Calogero!'' (1952) as Angelica, perpetua * ''

'' (1957) as Janet MacKenzie (final film role)

Stage credits

Dates are of the first performance.

Television

* ''The Moon in the Yellow River'' (BBC 1938) as Aunt Columba * ''Death at Newtown-Stewart'' (BBC 1939) * ''In Search of Valour'' (BBC 1939) as Stasia Claremorris

References

Sources

* * *

External links

* *
Una O'Connor
at th
Abbey Theatre Archive
{{DEFAULTSORT:Oconnor, Una 1880 births 1959 deaths 19th-century Irish people 20th-century Irish actresses Irish film actresses Irish stage actresses Irish television actresses Actresses from Belfast Alumni of the Royal College of Art Irish emigrants to the United States (before 1923) American film actresses American television actresses Burials at Calvary Cemetery (Queens) People with acquired American citizenship 20th-century American actresses

Life and work

Critical responses

Personal life and death

Complete filmography

Stage credits

Television

References

Sources

Further reading

External links