Maureen O’Sullivan: Biography of the Iconic “Tarzan” Star and Hollywood Actress
Explore Maureen O’Sullivan’s life and career, best known as Jane in the classic “Tarzan” films and as one of Hollywood’s most graceful leading ladies.
Maureen Paula O’Sullivan was born on May 17, 1911, in Boyle, County Roscommon, Ireland. After studying at schools in Europe, she was invited by Frank Borzage to audition in Hollywood. She was 19 years old at the time and had some experience, having already appeared in Irish films. Her American film debut was in “Song o’ my heart” (1930), a musical directed by Borzage. “Just Imagine” (1930) and “A Connecticut Yankee” followed.
Her big break came when she moved from FOX to MGM studios. She got the role of Jane, Tarzan’s companion. With Johnny Weismuller in the role of the ape man, she starred in “Tarzan of the Apes” (1932) followed by four more films in the series. It was during filming that she met her husband John Farrow.
Other successful roles included “Strange Interlude” (1932), “The Barretts of Wimpole” (1934), “Anna Karenina” (1935) and “David Coperfield” (1935), among others.
In the 1940s, she stopped filming to raise her children, filming sporadically. She is the mother of actress Mia Farrow.
Maureen died at the age of 87, at her home in Arizona, of a heart attack on June 28, 1998.
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