Charles B. Fitzsimons

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Charles B. Fitzsimons
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Alma materNational University of Ireland
Occupations
  • Actor
  • producer
  • attorney
Years active1949–1983
Spouses
Consuelo Vaughn
(divorced)
Cherie Bromley
(m. 1978)
Children5
RelativesMaureen O'Hara (sister)

Charles B. Fitzsimons (8 May 1924 – 14 February 2001) was an Irish actor who emigrated to the United States, where he became a film producer after ending his acting career. He was a younger brother of famed actress Maureen O'Hara. His name was sometimes spelled as FitzSimons.[1]

Life

Fitzsimons, an actor and attorney,[2] went to the US in 1951. His previous acting experience was with Dublin's Abbey Theatre.[3] Fitzsimons also studied law in Ireland at the National University of Ireland and King's Inns.[4][5] He completed his law degree at age 20 and was the youngest person to do so at the time. but had to wait until the age of 21 before being able to practice law.[3]

Maureen O'Hara with brothers James O'Hara (left) and Charles Fitzsimons in 1954

Fitzsimons originally was hired by producer John Ford in a legal capacity, in preparation for the arrival of the cast and crew of the film The Quiet Man for filming in Ireland.[6] Upon their first meeting, Ford believed Fitzsimons would be right for the film role of Forbes in addition to his legal duties.[6][7][8] Ford then proceeded to hire O'Hara's brother, James, for the role of Father Paul in the film. James also worked at the Abbey in Dublin, but used his mother's maiden name of Lilburn as a professional name.[6][7][9] Both brothers made their film debuts in The Quiet Man and both came to the United States upon completion of the film.[6][10] In 1957, Maureen O'Hara sued Confidential magazine because of false accusations made about her. Fitzsimons served as his sister's attorney during the trial.[11][12][13]

He became a Hollywood film actor and later a supervising production executive before becoming a producer himself.

Honorary Lifetime Membership Award from that organisation.[4][5]

Death

Fitzsimons died from liver failure in 2001, aged 76. He was survived by his wife, Cherie Bromley, and daughter. By his first wife Consuelo Vaughn and their four children. As well as his three sisters: Maureen O'Hara, Mrs. Margot Edwards, and Sister Mary Margaret, R.S.C., a nun.[4][5]

Selected filmography

Producer

Barry Fitzgerald, Fitzsimons, Sean McGlory, John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara in a scene from The Quiet Man[15]

Actor

References

  1. ^ Levy, Bell (2013). Lest We Forget: The John Ford Stock Company. BearManor Media. p. 104 – via Google Books.
  2. Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  3. ^
  4. ^ a b c d e Uslan, Rachel (17 February 2001). "Charles B. Fitzsimons; Producers Guild Executive". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  5. ^ a b c d Stack, Vanessa (25 February 2001). "Charles B. Fitzsimons". Variety. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  6. ^
    Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  7. ^ a b "Cast of the Quiet Man". TCM. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  8. Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  9. ^
  10. .

External links