Jill O'Hara (born August 23, 1947) is an American actress and singer. She was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Lead Actress in a Musical in 1969 for creating the role of Fran Kubelik in Promises, Promises, a role made famous by Shirley MacLaine in the movie the musical is based on, The Apartment (1960).
Jill O'Hara | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 23, 1947 Warren, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, singer |
| Years active | 1967–present |
| Parents |
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Early life edit
Her father, John B. O'Hara, was a salesman, and her mother, Edith O'Hara (née Hopkins), was a journalist and drama teacher, who founded the storied 13th Street Repertory Theatre in New York City.[1][2] Edith ran it until her death in 2020. Her sister is actress Jenny O'Hara, and her singer/guitarist brother Jack O'Hara, grew up amid their mother's pursuit of a theatrical career. Edith O'Hara directed a children's theater in Warren, where the two daughters occasionally acted. Jill studied at the HB Studio in Greenwich Village.[3]
Career edit
O'Hara created the role of Sheila in the original Off-broadway production of Hair in 1967. In 1971 she performed off-Broadway in Henrik Ibsen's play The Master Builder. She was a member of the original Broadway cast of George M! in 1968.[4]
In addition to her appearances on original cast albums, O'Hara has released albums of her own songs and recordings and has performed her own cabaret shows.[5][6]
References edit
- ^ "In real-life drama, grandson saved theater icon, 96 - The Villager Newspaper". thevillager.com. 7 March 2013. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
- ^ "Edith O"Hara - 100th Year". 14 April 2016. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
- ^ Stephen Holden,"Very Private Jill O'Hara Once Again Goes Public", nytimes.com, October 19, 1990; accessed November 17, 2014.
- ^ Profile, broadwayworld.com; accessed November 17, 2014.
- ^ Profile, allmusic.com; accessed November 17, 2014.
- ^ "Tony nominee Jill O'Hara performs from her CD at Barnes & Noble", May 26, 2009, broadwayworld.com; accessed November 17, 2014.
