--- name: "Maureen O'Sullivan" canonical: "https://film.one/person/maureen-osullivan" fi1m_id: "maureen-osullivan" imdb_id: "nm0001577" tmdb_id: 41516 wikidata_id: "Q230084" roles: ["Actor"] born: "17 May 1911" died: "23 June 1998" reviewed_on_fi1m: 5 average_fi1m_score: 81 average_as: "actor" average_over: 5 updated: "2026-09-19T22:46:01.467920+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Maureen O'Sullivan ## Identity Maureen O'Sullivan - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/maureen-osullivan - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** maureen-osullivan - **IMDb ID:** nm0001577 - **TMDB ID:** 41516 - **Wikidata ID:** Q230084 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maureen_O%27Sullivan, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q230084, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001577/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/41516 Actor. Born 17 May 1911 in Boyle, County Roscommon, Ireland. Died 23 June 1998. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 17 May 1911, Boyle, County Roscommon, Ireland - **Died:** 23 June 1998 - **Active:** 1934–1986 - **Also known as:** Maureen Paula O'Sullivan, Maureen O’Sullivan - **Average Fi1m score:** 81, as actor, over 5 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1930s 79 (3), 1980s 84 (2) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 84 to 82 across 3 titles - **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 2 at 60–79, 0 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 0 of 4 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Drama 4, Comedy 3, Romance 2, Adventure 1, Crime 1, Fantasy 1 - **Screen time:** 9 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $87m across 5 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maureen_O%27Sullivan, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q230084, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001577/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/41516 ## Streaming the US now - **Pluto TV:** [*Hannah and Her Sisters*](https://film.one/film/hannah-and-her-sisters.md) (88) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Maureen O'Sullivan > She was Jane for ten years and, in between, the best-bred girl in somebody else's picture: the sister, the friend, the one at the edge of the frame. She said she only tried to be natural. It is harder than it looks. Look at where Maureen O'Sullivan stands. In *The Barretts of Wimpole Street* (1934) she is Henrietta, one of the sisters in the house Charles Laughton's father rules, while the film keeps its attention on Norma Shearer upstairs. In *The Thin Man*, the same year, she is Dorothy Wynant, one face in a crowded mystery. In *Pride and Prejudice* (1940) she is Jane Bennet, the sister who is not Elizabeth. MGM had her under contract from 1931 and used her as the well-bred young woman in support, and she did it gracefully enough that they saw no reason to stop. And then there was Jane. From *Tarzan the Ape Man* (1932) she made six Tarzan films opposite Johnny Weissmuller over ten years, and it is the part the world kept asking her about until she was tired of the question. What she brought to it was manners and innocence at the same time, a girl from a good family who finds herself in the trees and does not make a fuss. She insisted the films were not quickies, and she is right that they were made with care. It is still a pity that a decade of decent supporting work in prestige pictures was filed behind a loincloth. She stopped in 1942 to raise seven children with the director John Farrow, came back now and then from 1948, often in his films, and worked on Broadway and in television through the 1960s and 1970s. Then, in 1986, she was Norma in *Hannah and Her Sisters*, playing mother to her own daughter, Mia Farrow, and appeared the same year in *Peggy Sue Got Married*. We were moved by her in *Hannah* more than the film asks us to be. She has a few scenes and does not act in any of them, in the ordinary sense; she simply seems to belong to that family, and knowing who the daughter is gives the two of them a history Woody Allen did not have to write. "I didn’t pretend to be an actress," she said that year. "I just tried to be natural, the best I could." Directors and co-stars said the same of her, that the delivery was plain and unmannered, and it is the reason the supporting parts hold up. It is also the reason she was so rarely given more than a supporting part. Naturalness reads as ease, and studios do not build pictures around ease. Start with *The Barretts of Wimpole Street* and *Hannah and Her Sisters*, both of which we recommend, and go to the Tarzan films afterwards, when you know what she could do in a drawing room. ## Biography Maureen O'Sullivan was an Irish-American actress. Born in Boyle, County Roscommon, Ireland, on 17 May 1911, she was educated at convent schools in London and a finishing school in Paris. She made her screen debut in Song o' My Heart (1930) after being discovered by director Frank Borzage. O'Sullivan became best known for playing Jane Parker opposite Johnny Weissmuller in six Tarzan films between 1932 and 1942. Her other notable screen roles include appearances in The Thin Man (1934), A Day at the Races (1937), Pride and Prejudice (1940) and The Big Clock (1948). She later returned to film in the 1980s, playing Norma in Woody Allen's Hannah and Her Sisters (1986) and Elizabeth Alvorg in Peggy Sue Got Married (1986). She also worked extensively in theatre, including on Broadway. She was married to director John Farrow from 1936 until his death in 1963; they had seven children, including actress Mia Farrow. O'Sullivan became a US citizen in 1947 and died on 23 June 1998 in Scottsdale, Arizona. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.* ## On Fi1m (5) - *Hannah and Her Sisters* (1986), Fi1m 88, as Norma — [page](https://film.one/film/hannah-and-her-sisters.md) - *Peggy Sue Got Married* (1986), Fi1m 79, as Elizabeth Alvorg — [page](https://film.one/film/peggy-sue-got-married.md) - *David Copperfield* (1935), Fi1m 81, as Dora Spenlow — [page](https://film.one/film/david-copperfield.md) - *The Barretts of Wimpole Street* (1934), Fi1m 72, as Henrietta Barrett — [page](https://film.one/film/the-barretts-of-wimpole-street.md) - *The Thin Man* (1934), Fi1m 84, as Dorothy Wynant — [page](https://film.one/film/the-thin-man.md) ## Complete filmography (88) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Famous T&A 2* (2022), as Jane Porter (archive footage) (uncredited) - *Where Danger Lives: White Rose for Julie* (2007), Actor - *Hart to Hart: Home Is Where the Hart Is* (1994), as Eleanor Biddlecomb - *The Habitation of Dragons* (1992), as Helen Taylor - *With Murder in Mind* (1992), as Aunt Mildred - *Good Old Boy* (1988), as Aunt Sue - *Stranded* (1987), as Grace Clark - *Leg Work* (1987), series, as Dorothy Richardson - *Peggy Sue Got Married* (1986), as Elizabeth Alvorg — Fi1m 79, [page](https://film.one/film/peggy-sue-got-married.md) - *Hannah and Her Sisters* (1986), as Norma — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/hannah-and-her-sisters.md) - *Too Scared to Scream* (1984), as Marian Hardwick - *Morning's at Seven* (1982), as Esther "Esty" Crampton - *Mandy's Grandmother* (1978), as Grandmother - *The Great Houdinis* (1976), as Lady Conan Doyle - *That's Entertainment, Part II* (1976), as (archive footage) - *The Crooked Hearts* (1972), as Lillian Stanton - *The Phynx* (1970), as Maureen O'Sullivan - *Never Too Late* (1965), as Edith Lambert - *Ben Casey* (1961), series, Actor - *Wild Heritage* (1958), as Emma Breslin - *The Edge of Innocence* (1957), as Julia Williams - *The Tall T* (1957), as Doretta Mims - *The Blessed Midnight* (1956), as Sister Mary Benedict - *Matinee Theater* (1955), series, Actor - *The Little Lamb: A Christmas Story* (1955), as Mother - *The Steel Cage* (1954), as Gladys Duffy - *Climax!* (1954), series, as Lady Dominey, Miriam - *The Whistler* (1954), series, Actor - *Duffy of San Quentin* (1954), as Gladys Duffy - *Mission Over Korea* (1953), as Nancy Slocum - *All I Desire* (1953), as Sara Harper - *Cavalcade of America* (1952), series, as Sister Mary Benedict - *Four Star Playhouse* (1952), series, as Minna Baxter - *Bonzo Goes to College* (1952), as Marion Gateson Drew - *Ellis in Freedomland* (1952), as The Dishwasher (voice) - *Schlitz Playhouse of Stars* (1951), series, Actor - *No Resting Place* (1951), as Nan Kyle - *Where Danger Lives* (1950), as Julie - *Lux Video Theatre* (1950), series, as Agnes Fisher, Intermission Guest, Mary, Stella - *The Big Clock* (1948), as Georgette Stroud - *Tarzan's New York Adventure* (1942), as Jane - *Tarzan's Secret Treasure* (1941), as Jane - *Maisie Was a Lady* (1941), as Abby Rawlston - *Pride and Prejudice* (1940), as Jane Bennet - *Sporting Blood* (1940), as Linda Lockwood - *Tarzan Finds a Son!* (1939), as Jane Parker - *Let Us Live* (1939), as Mary Roberts - *Spring Madness* (1938), as Alexandra Benson - *The Crowd Roars* (1938), as Sheila 'Shelia' Carson - *Port of Seven Seas* (1938), as Madelon - *Hold That Kiss* (1938), as June Evans - *A Yank at Oxford* (1938), as Molly Beaumont - *My Dear Miss Aldrich* (1937), as Martha Aldrich - *Between Two Women* (1937), as Claire Donahue - *The Emperor's Candlesticks* (1937), as Maria Orlich - *A Day at the Races* (1937), as Judy Standish - *Tarzan Escapes* (1936), as Jane - *The Devil-Doll* (1936), as Lorraine Lavond - *The Voice of Bugle Ann* (1936), as Camden Terry - *The Bishop Misbehaves* (1935), as Hester Grantham - *Anna Karenina* (1935), as Kitty - *Woman Wanted* (1935), as Ann - *The Flame Within* (1935), as Linda Belton - *Cardinal Richelieu* (1935), as Lenore - *West Point of the Air* (1935), as 'Skip' Carter - *David Copperfield* (1935), as Dora Spenlow — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/david-copperfield.md) - *The Barretts of Wimpole Street* (1934), as Henrietta Barrett — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/the-barretts-of-wimpole-street.md) - *Hide-Out* (1934), as Pauline Miller - *The Thin Man* (1934), as Dorothy Wynant — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/the-thin-man.md) - *Tarzan and His Mate* (1934), as Jane Parker - *Stage Mother* (1933), as Shirley Lorraine - *Tugboat Annie* (1933), as Patricia 'Pat' Severn - *The Cohens and Kellys in Trouble* (1933), as Molly Kelly - *Strange Interlude* (1932), as Madeline Arnold - *Robbers' Roost* (1932), as Helen Herrick - *Payment Deferred* (1932), as Winnie Marble - *Okay, America!* (1932), as Sheila Barton - *Skyscraper Souls* (1932), as Lynn Harding - *Fast Companions* (1932), as Sally - *The Silver Lining* (1932), as Joyce Moore - *Tarzan the Ape Man* (1932), as Jane Parker - *The Big Shot* (1931), as Doris Thompson - *Skyline* (1931), as Katherine Kearny - *A Connecticut Yankee* (1931), as Alisande / Woman in Mansion - *The Princess and the Plumber* (1930), as Princess Louise - *Just Imagine* (1930), as LN-18 - *So This Is London* (1930), as Elinor Worthing - *Song o' My Heart* (1930), as Eileen ## Gallery - ![Maureen O'Sullivan](https://film.one/media/person/118604/gallery-d14dcaca864f.jpg) Maureen O'Sullivan — Russell Ball, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bb/Maureen_O_Sullivan%2C_The_New_Movie_Magazine%2C_1934.jpg/1280px-Maureen_O_Sullivan%2C_The_New_Movie_Magazine%2C_1934.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Eric Linden and Maureen O'Sullivan in the American film The Voice of Bugle Ann (1936) - publicity still (original image damaged, modified and cropped : see sour](https://film.one/media/person/118604/gallery-9055aba6dd0f.jpg) Eric Linden and Maureen O'Sullivan in the American film The Voice of Bugle Ann (1936) - publicity still (original image damaged, modified and cropped : see sour — unknown (MGM), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0f/Eric_Linden-Maureen_O%27Sullivan_in_The_Voice_of_Bugle_Ann.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Lobby card for the American romantic comedy Hold That Kiss (1938) .](https://film.one/media/person/118604/gallery-431c7473122f.jpg) Lobby card for the American romantic comedy Hold That Kiss (1938) . — Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5d/Hold_That_Kiss_FilmPoster.jpeg/1280px-Hold_That_Kiss_FilmPoster.jpeg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Photo of Maureen O'Sullivan and John Farrow with their children in 1950. From left: Maria (Mia), Patrick, O'Sullivan, Farrow holding Stephanie, Prudence and Joh](https://film.one/media/person/118604/gallery-b3c92a7e3dab.jpg) Photo of Maureen O'Sullivan and John Farrow with their children in 1950. From left: Maria (Mia), Patrick, O'Sullivan, Farrow holding Stephanie, Prudence and Joh — International News Service/St Louis Post-Dispatch., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3d/John_Farrow_family_1950.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Maureen O'Sullivan](https://film.one/media/person/118604/gallery-81867ae08f7f.jpg) Maureen O'Sullivan — Image via TMDB - ![Lew Ayres and Maureen O'Sullivan in Okay, America!, 1932. Promo Photo 7 3/4 x 10 (inches)](https://film.one/media/person/118604/gallery-9d665eff2c2e.jpg) Lew Ayres and Maureen O'Sullivan in Okay, America!, 1932. Promo Photo 7 3/4 x 10 (inches) — Universal Pictures films / Photographer not credited, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4c/Lew_Ayres_and_Maureen_O%27Sullivan_in_%27Okay%2C_America%21%27%2C_1932.jpg/1280px-Lew_Ayres_and_Maureen_O%27Sullivan_in_%27Okay%2C_America%21%27%2C_1932.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/maureen-osullivan