Potter, Maureen (1925–2004)

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Potter, Maureen (1925–2004)

Irish actress and variety performer. Born Maria Philomena Potter in Fairview, Dublin, Ireland, Jan 3, 1925; died April 7, 2004; dau. of James Benedict Potter and Elizabeth (Carr) Potter; m. Jack O'Leary (army officer), 1959; children: 2 sons.

At 7, made professional stage debut in Dublin, singing Broadway's Gone Hillbilly; began to make regular appearances with Jimmy Campbell band at Theatre Royal, Dublin's premier variety venue; sang with Jack Hylton Band in London for 2 years, billed as "Maureen Potter Child Impressionist, Dancer and Burlesque Actress"; when war broke out (1939), returned to Ireland and went straight into pantomime with Jimmy O'Dea, with whom she formed a legendary comic partnership that lasted until O'Dea's death in 1965; formed a new stage partnership with Danny Cummins; in film, appeared as Josie Breen in Ulysses (1967) and as Mrs. Riordan Portrait of the Artist (1977); portrayed Maisie Madigan in the celebrated Gate Theatre production of Sean O'Casey's Juno and the Paycock (1984) and the mother in Hugh Leonard's Da.

See also Women in World History.

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