Pauline Flanagan facts for kids

Pauline Flanagan (born June 29, 1925 – died June 28, 2003) was a talented actress from Ireland. She had a long and successful career acting on stage. In the United States, she was most famous for playing Annie Colleary on the TV show Ryan's Hope. She appeared on the show in 1979 and again in 1981. Later, she returned to Ryan's Hope as a different character, Sister Mary Joel.

Discovering Pauline Flanagan's Life

Early Life and Family Roots

Pauline Flanagan was born in County Sligo, Ireland. Her parents were Patrick and Elizabeth Flanagan. They were very involved in politics. They supported the side that was against the treaty during the Irish Civil War. Both of her parents even served as the Lord Mayor of Sligo. Pauline was good friends with other Irish actresses, Joan O'Hara and Paddy Croft. In the early 1950s, Pauline traveled a lot with a theater group called Anew McMaster. During this time, she met famous writer Harold Pinter.

Pauline's Journey on Stage

Pauline Flanagan loved acting on stage. She performed in many plays on Broadway, which is a famous theater district in New York City.

Broadway Debut and Key Roles

Her first Broadway play was in 1957. It was called Under Milk Wood by Dylan Thomas. In 1976, she starred in a Broadway revival of The Innocents. She also appeared in Philadelphia, Here I Come! on Broadway in 1994.

Off-Broadway Performances

Pauline also acted in many Off-Broadway plays. These are plays performed in smaller theaters in New York City. She often worked with the Irish Repertory Theatre. For example, she was in Juno and the Paycock in 1995. In 1992, she performed in Grandchild of Kings at the Irish Repertory Theatre. For this role, she was nominated for the 1992 Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Actress. She also performed in a play called Yeats: A Celebration.

Pauline acted in a play called Summer by Hugh Leonard. This play was shown at the Hudson Guild Theater.

Later Life and Legacy

Pauline Flanagan lived in Glen Rock, New Jersey. She passed away at The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, New Jersey. She died one day before her 78th birthday. Her death was due to heart failure after battling lung cancer. She was survived by her husband, George Vogel, whom she married in 1958. She also left behind her sister, Maura McNally, and her daughters, Melissa Brown and Jane Holtzen.

Awards and Recognitions

Pauline Flanagan received several awards and nominations for her amazing acting.

Winning Top Acting Honors

In 1997, she won the Barclays Theatre Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. This was for her part in Jennifer Johnston's play Desert Lullaby. She performed this play at the Lyric Theatre in Belfast. The Barclays Theatre Awards celebrate great regional theater in the UK.

In 2001, she won an Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actress. This award was for her performance in Frank McGuinness' play Dolly West's Kitchen. She acted in this play at the Old Vic theater.

Nominations for Excellent Performances

She was nominated for the 1982 Drama Desk Award. This nomination was for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play. It was for her role in Medea, which she performed on Broadway in 1982.