Maureen O'Hara

“Henry Fonda gave me a spanking during a scene in Spencer's Mountain.”

“I really wanted to be an opera soprano.”

“The depth of John Candy's talent did surprise me. He was one of my all-time favorite leading men.”

“My heritage has been my grounding, and it has brought me peace.”

“I saw myself as Joan of Arc.”

“I watch and listen to movies today and am shocked by the way actors deliver their lines. Everybody mumbles now and I don't understand why.”

“How could you get angry with Jackie Gleason?”

“The studio thought I was crazy to perform all of my own fencing stunts, but I loved it.”

“I was born into the most remarkable and eccentric family I could possibly have hoped for.”

“I dainty little lass I wasn't. I looked twice my age until I turned 10 or 11.”

“After I got to Hollywood, I resented that I didn't get a crack at more dramatic roles because I photographed so beautifully.”

“I am like many of the women I have played onscreen.”

“Audiences in London called me the girl with the black cherry eyes.”

“I'm really honestly terrified about how much I should tell and how much I should still keep secret.”

“John Candy knew he was going to die. He told me on his 40th birthday. He said, well, Maureen, I'm on borrowed time.”

“I grew up in the theater and danced ballet atrociously.”

“John Wayne was one of the greatest ambassadors for the United States that ever lived.”

“Charles Laughton signed me to my first movie contract at 17. He later asked my parents if he could adopt me.”

“Every star has that certain something that stands out and compels us to notice them.”

“The Parent Trap gave my career another boost, starring in family comedies.”