Deirdre O'Connell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Deirdre O'Connell
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| Born |
Eleanore Deirdre O'Connell
16 June 1939 South Bronx, New York, United States
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| Died | 9 June 2001 (aged 61) Dublin, Ireland
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| Other names | Actress, singer, theatre director |
| Spouse(s) | Luke Kelly (1965–1970s) |
Eleanore Deirdre O'Connell (born June 16, 1939 – died June 9, 2001) was a talented Irish American actress, singer, and theatre director. She is best known for starting the Focus Theatre in Dublin, Ireland.
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About Deirdre O'Connell
Deirdre O'Connell was born in the South Bronx area of New York City. She was one of five children. Her parents had moved to America from Ireland.
Early Life and Training
After finishing school, Deirdre wanted to work in theatre. She studied acting at two famous places in New York City. First, she went to the Erwin Piscator's Dramatic Workshop. Later, she trained at the Actors Studio, which was run by Lee Strasberg. These schools taught her a lot about acting.
Moving to Ireland
When Deirdre was in her early twenties, she moved to Dublin, Ireland. There, she created the Stanislavski Studio at the Pocket Theatre. She taught a small group of actors a special way of acting called Stanislavski's system. This system helps actors understand their characters deeply.
In 1967, Deirdre started her own theatre, the Focus Theatre. She did many jobs there. She was the manager, the artistic director, and she also raised money for the theatre. On top of all that, she acted in many of the plays.
Music and Family Life
Deirdre was also a well-known folk singer. She even performed at the famous Newport Folk Festival. In June 1965, she married the Irish singer Luke Kelly. They separated in the early 1970s.
Later Years
Deirdre O'Connell passed away from cancer at her home in Dublin. She was 61 years old. She is buried in Glasnevin Cemetery in Ireland.
