Una O'Connor (actress) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Una O'Connor
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Una O'Connor in Lost Honeymoon (1947)
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| Born |
Agnes Teresa McGlade
23 October 1880 Belfast, Ireland
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| Died | 4 February 1959 (aged 78) New York City, U.S.
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| Resting place | Calvary Cemetery (Queens, New York) |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1911–1957 |
Una O'Connor (born Agnes Teresa McGlade, 23 October 1880 – 4 February 1959) was a famous actress from Ireland. She became well-known for playing funny wives, housekeepers, and servants in movies and on TV. Before becoming a film star, she spent many years acting in plays. In 2020, she was named one of Ireland's greatest film actors.
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Una O'Connor's Early Life and Career
Una O'Connor was born in Belfast, Ireland. Her family was Catholic. When she was two, her mother passed away. Her father was a farmer who owned land, so the family always had money. He later moved to Australia. Una was raised by her aunt and went to school in Belfast and Paris. She first thought about becoming a teacher and studied art.
Starting Her Acting Journey
Before teaching, Una joined the Abbey School of Acting in Dublin. This school was connected to the famous Abbey Theatre. She acted there from 1912 to 1934. She changed her name to Una O'Connor when she started acting. One of her first big roles was in a play by George Bernard Shaw. She played a bold American ranch girl. This play was performed in Dublin and also in New York in 1911. This was her first time acting in America.
Moving to London and Early Film Roles
By 1913, Una was living in London. She appeared in several plays there. In the early 1920s, she often played maids and waitresses. Critics noticed her good acting in these smaller roles. One reviewer said her "low comedy hotel maid was effectively handled." These parts seemed to show what her future acting career would be like.
She made her first movie appearance in Dark Red Roses (1929). She also appeared in Murder! (1930), directed by Alfred Hitchcock.
Big Break in Hollywood
Even after many years of acting, Una wasn't widely known. In 1931, she worried about finding work. But her luck changed when famous writer Noël Coward chose her for his play Cavalcade in 1933. Coward said he had watched her for years and wrote the part just for her. She played an Edwardian servant who became a successful woman.
Hollywood movie executives saw her in the play. They were very impressed and wanted her for movies. This led her to act in the film version of Cavalcade in 1933. Because of its success, Una decided to stay in the United States.
Famous Movie Roles
Una O'Connor became known for her funny roles in horror films. She played the publican's wife in The Invisible Man (1933). She was also the Baron's housekeeper in Bride of Frankenstein (1935). These are some of her most remembered performances.
She also worked with director John Ford in The Informer (1935) and The Plough and the Stars (1936).
Later Career and Television
In 1937, Una felt homesick and went back to London. She appeared in three live BBC Television shows. One was a play called In Search of Valour (1939). After returning to America, her belongings were destroyed in a bombing raid during The Blitz. She took this as a sign to stay in America.
Her movie career continued with roles in The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) and The Sea Hawk (1940). She also appeared in The Bells of St. Mary's (1944).
Una also had great success on Broadway. From 1954 to 1956, she played Janet McKenzie, a nearly deaf housemaid, in Agatha Christie's play Witness for the Prosecution. She also appeared in the movie version in 1957. Her character provided funny moments in the serious drama. This was her last movie role.
Una started working in television again in 1950. She found TV acting very challenging. She said it was like trying to do stage and screen acting at the same time. She believed it showed an actor's true skill because of how much work was needed. She also said it required "intense concentration" and quick thinking. Una felt that television was a growing field that was here to stay.
She was happy to often play servant roles. She believed that one successful part could set an actor's career path.
Health Challenges
Una O'Connor had heart problems that were discovered in 1932. Later in her career, these issues affected her. When she was performing in the play Witness for the Prosecution, she had to rest in bed all day. She would only leave to go to the theater and would return to bed right after her performance. Her role in the film version was planned to be her final acting job.
Personal Life and Death
Una O'Connor became an American citizen on 3 March 1952. She lived in New York City. She never married or had children. Una passed away in New York City on 4 February 1959, at the age of 78, due to heart disease. She is buried in Calvary Cemetery in Queens, New York.
Film and Television Appearances
Una O'Connor appeared in many films and television shows throughout her career. Some of her notable films include:
- The Invisible Man (1933)
- Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
- The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)
- The Sea Hawk (1940)
- The Bells of St. Mary's (1945)
- Witness for the Prosecution (1957)
She also appeared in several BBC Television productions, such as:
- The Moon in the Yellow River (1938)
- Death at Newtown-Stewart (1939)
- In Search of Valour (1939)
