Margaret O'Brien

Margaret O'Brien (born January 15, 1937 in San Diego, California) is an American film actress, and although her career was brief, was one of the most highly regarded child actors in cinema history.

Related Topics:
January 15 - 1937 - San Diego, California - America - Film - Actress

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Born Angela Maxine O'Brien, she made her first film appearance in Babes on Broadway (1941) at the age of four, but it was the following year that her first major role brought her widespread attention. As a five year old in Journey for Margaret (1942), O'Brien won wide praise for her convincing acting style.

Related Topics:
Babes on Broadway - 1941 - Journey for Margaret - 1942

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She played a young French girl, and spoke and sang all her dialogue with a French accent, in Jane Eyre (1944). Arguably her most memorable role was as "Tootie" in Meet Me in St. Louis (1944), opposite Judy Garland. O'Brien had by this time, added singing and dancing to her achievements and was rewarded with an Academy Juvenile Award the following year. Her other successes included The Canterville Ghost (1944) and Our Vines Have Tender Grapes (1945), but she was unable to make the transition to adult roles.

Related Topics:
French - Jane Eyre - 1944 - Meet Me in St. Louis - Judy Garland - Academy Juvenile Award - The Canterville Ghost - Our Vines Have Tender Grapes - 1945

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A 1946 Looney Tunes short, Book Revue, placed a caricature of O'Brien in the role of Little Red Riding Hood.

Related Topics:
1946 - Looney Tunes - Book Revue - Little Red Riding Hood

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O'Brien's acting roles as an adult have been rare, but mostly in independent films. However, she does do occasional interviews, mostly for the Turner Classic Movies cable network.

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She has been married twice, to Harold Allen, Jr. (from 1959 to 1968), and later to Roy Thorsen (that marriage produced her only child, Mara Tolene Thorsen, born in 1977.

Related Topics:
1959 - 1968 - 1977

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O'Brien has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Motion Pictures at 6608 Hollywood Boulevard, and for television at 1620 Vine St.

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