Maureen O’Hara Cut Short During Acceptance Speech

Maureen O’Hara is best known for her legendary roles in Miracle on 34th Street, The Parent Trap, and How Green Was My Valley. At Saturday’s Governor’s Awards, though, the Irish-born actress received her very first Oscar, an honorary award for all the years she dedicated to show business. Yet, as O’Hara was accepting her award, she was cut off not once but twice before being ushered off the stage.

Starting in show business back in 1939, Maureen O’Hara has starred in 65 television and movie productions. Well known for not just her beauty but also her voice, O’Hara has starred with some of Hollywood’s most well known leading men including James Stewart, Henry Fonda, and “The Duke,” John Wayne. While she has received other awards in her long and storied career, and even a star on the Walk of Fame, O’Hara had not yet received the coveted golden statuette known as an Oscar.

According to the BBC, Maureen O’Hara was ecstatic when she first learned that she would be receiving an Honorary Oscar at Saturday’s Awards. There was some disbelief as she commented that it was “a league of baloney” and that they must have made a mistake. The thought of receiving the award, though, was enough to bring her to tears as she shared her love for show business all these years later by saying that it was a “wonderful experience”.

Then at Saturday’s Awards, she was introduced by Clint Eastwood and Liam Neeson, who expounded on her many accomplishments, including being one of the first actresses to complete her own stunts. Neeson was even quick to admit having a crush on his fellow Irishwoman. Maureen O’Hara was then wheeled onto the stage while softly singing the Irish ballad, “Danny Boy”.

Apparently the 94- year-old O’Hara had prepared quite a speech, and as they tried to cut her off the first time, she responded with, “Oh no, you have to give me a few more minutes,” as reported by the New York Times. She then continued on long enough to warrant her microphone being removed from her dress. The always fiery O’Hara, nicknamed “Big Red,” kicked off her left shoe as she was wheeled off the stage by Clint Eastwood. The band began playing as she exited.

The unexpected forced exit couldn’t overshadow O’Hara’s many accomplishments. Although she wasn’t able to completely finish her speech, the night still ended on a high note, with fellow award winner, Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki, claiming that his greatest luck was that he “got to meet Maureen O’Hara today.” A legend in her own right, Maureen O’Hara will always play by her own rules.

[Photo Courtesy of Wikipedia]