O'Brien, Margaret (1937–)

American actress. Born Angela Maxine O'Brien, Jan 15, 1937, in San Diego, California; dau. of Gladys Flores (dancer); m. Harold Robert Allen Jr. (commercial artist), 1959 (div. 1968); m. Roy Thorsen, 1974 (sep.); children: 1 daughter.

One of the most talented child stars to appear in film, began modeling at 3 and made movie debut at 4 in Babes on Broadway (1941); other films include Journey for Margaret (1942), Thousands Cheer (1943), Madame Curie (1943), Jane Eyre (1944), The Canterville Ghost (1944), as Tootie in Meet Me in St. Louis (1944), Our Vines Have Tender Grapes (1945), Little Women (1949), The Secret Garden (1949), Glory (1956), and Heller in Pink Tights (1960); as a child, became a charming radio personality, guesting on popular variety shows, and trading barbs with such seasoned comedians as Edgar Bergen and Bob Hope; suspended from MGM when she refused to appear in Alice in Wonderland (1951), resurfaced at Columbia in an unsuccessful debut as an adolescent in Her First Romance (1951); went on to appear in a few foreign films, in stock, and on tv, where a reprise of her role as Beth in a musical version of "Little women" and a role in a "Studio One" production were notable; was an active fund raiser for AIDS charities (1990s). Won special Academy Award as Outstanding Child Actress (1944).

See also Allan R. Ellenberger, Margaret O'Brien: A Career Chronicle and Biography (2000); and Women in World History.