Maureen O'Sullivan
Known for Acting · 105 credits
- Born
- 1911-05-17
- Died
- 1998-06-23
- Place of birth
- Boyle, County Roscommon, Ireland
- Also known as
- Maureen Paula O'Sullivan · Maureen O’Sullivan
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. 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
TV Shows (13)
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1962
as Self
The Mike Douglas Show
1961
as Self
The Merv Griffin Show
1962
as Self
Matinee Theater
1955
What's My Line?
1950
as Self - Mystery Guest
Climax!
1954
as Lady Dominey / Miriam
Four Star Playhouse
1952
as Minna Baxter
Ben Casey
1961
Lux Video Theatre
1950
as Agnes Fisher / Self - Intermission Guest / Mary / Stella
Cavalcade of America
1952
as Sister Mary Benedict
The Whistler
1954
Leg Work
1987
as Dorothy Richardson
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
1951
Movies (92)
Hannah and Her Sisters
1986
as Norma
Peggy Sue Got Married
1986
as Elizabeth Alvorg
Tarzan the Ape Man
1932
as Jane Parker
The Thin Man
1934
as Dorothy Wynant
Tarzan and His Mate
1934
as Jane Parker
Tarzan Escapes
1936
as Jane
Anna Karenina
1935
as Kitty
Pride and Prejudice
1940
as Jane Bennet
A Day at the Races
1937
as Judy Standish
Just Imagine
1930
as LN-18
The Big Clock
1948
as Georgette Stroud
That's Entertainment, Part II
1976
as (archive footage)
The Emperor's Candlesticks
1937
as Maria Orlich
Good Old Boy
1988
as Aunt Sue
Too Scared to Scream
1984
as Marian Hardwick
All I Desire
1953
as Sara Harper
It's Showtime
1976
as Self (archive footage)
So This Is London
1930
as Elinor Worthing
David Copperfield
1935
as Dora Spenlow
Tarzan's Secret Treasure
1941
as Jane
The Phynx
1970
as Maureen O'Sullivan
Tarzan's New York Adventure
1942
as Jane
Tarzan Finds a Son!
1939
as Jane Parker
The Steel Cage
1954
as Gladys Duffy
The Devil-Doll
1936
as Lorraine Lavond
Port of Seven Seas
1938
as Madelon
A Yank at Oxford
1938
as Molly Beaumont
Skyscraper Souls
1932
as Lynn Harding
Famous T&A 2
2022
as Jane Porter (archive footage) (uncredited)
Where Danger Lives
1950
as Julie
Skyline
1931
as Katherine Kearny
Okay, America!
1932
as Sheila Barton
The Barretts of Wimpole Street
1934
as Henrietta Barrett
The Crooked Hearts
1972
as Lillian Stanton
The Tall T
1957
as Doretta Mims
Happy 100th Birthday, Hollywood
1987
as Self
The Blessed Midnight
1956
as Sister Mary Benedict
Mandy's Grandmother
1978
as Grandmother
Bonzo Goes to College
1952
as Marion Gateson Drew
Stranded
1987
as Grace Clark
Complicated Women
2003
as Self (archive footage)
A Connecticut Yankee
1931
as Alisande / Woman in Mansion
Let Us Live
1939
as Mary Roberts
Jean Harlow: Platinum Bombshell
1996
as Self
West Point of the Air
1935
as 'Skip' Carter
Tugboat Annie
1933
as Patricia 'Pat' Severn
The Great Houdinis
1976
as Lady Conan Doyle
The Romance of Celluloid
1937
as Self
With Murder in Mind
1992
as Aunt Mildred
The Bishop Misbehaves
1935
as Hester Grantham
My Dear Miss Aldrich
1937
as Martha Aldrich
The Voice of Bugle Ann
1936
as Camden Terry
The Crowd Roars
1938
as Sheila 'Shelia' Carson
Hollywood: Style Center of the World
1940
as Self
Hide-Out
1934
as Pauline Miller
Fast Companions
1932
as Sally
Hart to Hart: Home Is Where the Hart Is
1994
as Eleanor Biddlecomb
Screen Snapshots No. 11
1934
as Herself
Wild Heritage
1958
as Emma Breslin
Checking Out: Grand Hotel
2004
as Self (archive footage)
Cardinal Richelieu
1935
as Lenore
Strange Interlude
1932
as Madeline Arnold
The Habitation of Dragons
1992
as Helen Taylor
The Edge of Innocence
1957
as Julia Williams
Between Two Women
1937
as Claire Donahue
Duffy of San Quentin
1954
as Gladys Duffy
Maisie Was a Lady
1941
as Abby Rawlston
Ellis in Freedomland
1952
as The Dishwasher (voice)
Woman Wanted
1935
as Ann
Spring Madness
1938
as Alexandra Benson
Song o' My Heart
1930
as Eileen
Never Too Late
1965
as Edith Lambert
The Princess and the Plumber
1930
as Princess Louise
Stage Mother
1933
as Shirley Lorraine
Screen Actors
1950
as Self (uncredited)
Mission Over Korea
1953
as Nancy Slocum
Hold That Kiss
1938
as June Evans
Tarzan Revisited
2017
as Self (archive footage)
Sporting Blood
1940
as Linda Lockwood
Hollywood: The Dream Factory
1972
as Self (archive footage)
Morning's at Seven
1982
as Esther "Esty" Crampton
The Flame Within
1935
as Linda Belton
No Resting Place
1951
as Nan Kyle
The Big Shot
1931
as Doris Thompson
Payment Deferred
1932
as Winnie Marble
The Cohens and Kellys in Trouble
1933
as Molly Kelly
Where Danger Lives: White Rose for Julie
2007
In Search of Tarzan with Jonathan Ross
1998
as Self
The Silver Lining
1932
as Joyce Moore
The Little Lamb: A Christmas Story
1955
as Mother
Robbers' Roost
1932
as Helen Herrick
Hollywood - The Second Step
1936
as Herself
About Maureen O'Sullivan
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 res… With 105 credits spanning from 1930 to 2022, Maureen O'Sullivan has appeared in 92 films and 13 TV shows.
Fans searching for Maureen O'Sullivan movies, Maureen O'Sullivan filmography, or the latest projects starring Maureen O'Sullivan can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Maureen O'Sullivan Movies
- Hannah and Her Sisters (1986) — as Norma
- Peggy Sue Got Married (1986) — as Elizabeth Alvorg
- Tarzan the Ape Man (1932) — as Jane Parker
- The Thin Man (1934) — as Dorothy Wynant
- Tarzan and His Mate (1934) — as Jane Parker
Where to Watch Maureen O'Sullivan Films
Most Maureen O'Sullivan movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Maureen O'Sullivan, check our movies catalogue and browse page.