Shirley O'Hara


Shirley O'Hara was an American actress. She appeared in numerous films from the 1940s to the 1980s.

Biography

O'Hara was born in Rochester, Minnesota, in 1924. She began her acting career in 1943, appearing in films such as Tarzan and the Amazons, The Chase, Higher and Higher and Ghost Ship.
During World War II, she received the Support for America award, acknowledging her wartime efforts with the Hollywood Canteen.
She also appeared in several TV series during the 1950s, including Fireside Theatre, Gunsmoke, The Millionaire, Racket Squad and Dragnet. In 1970 O'Hara appeared as Mrs. Drew on the TV western The Virginian in the episode titled "The Mysterious Mr. Tate."
During the early 1970s, she was appointed director of public relations for The Burbank Studios. In 1973, she played Mrs. Malone, a night school teacher, on the season four episode "Two Wrongs Don't Make a Writer" in The Mary Tyler Moore Show. O’Hara appeared on two episodes of the Bob Newhart Show as the ditzy temporary secretary, Debbie Flett. Her character continually called Bob Dr. Ryan instead of Dr. Hartley. Also, during the seventies, she appeared in the films Duel and Rocky. She was also member of the Publicists Guild. She retired in 1995.

Personal life

O'Hara was married twice, first to Jimmy McHugh Jr., with whom she had one son, Jimmy McHugh III, and later to Milton Krims.

Death

O'Hara died in Calabasas, California, from complications of diabetes at the age of 78.

TV and filmography