Margaret O’Brien Rise to Stardom as a Child Actor
Margaret O’Brien burst onto the Hollywood scene as a talented child actor in the early 1940s. Though only a young girl, she demonstrated a screen presence and acting chops far beyond her years. Over the next decade, O’Brien enchanted audiences and critics alike in a series of now-classic films, cementing her status as one of the preeminent child stars of the era.
How did Margaret O’Brien get discovered as a child actor?
Margaret O’Brien was born Angela Maxine O’Brien in 1937 in San Diego, California. As a young child, she began performing with her mother, Gladys O’Brien, in amateur theater productions. During this time, a talent scout spotted the gifted young actress and helped arrange a successful screen test at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) Studios when she was just 7 years old.
Impressed by her natural ability, MGM offered O’Brien a long-term contract, and her film career quickly took off. Her first major role was in the hit 1943 wartime drama Journey for Margaret, where she movingly portrayed a war orphan. With this stellar debut performance, movie audiences instantly fell in love with the darling little girl with blonde ringlets.
Margaret O’Brien Breakout Role in Meet Me in St. Louis
In 1944, O’Brien delivered what is considered her breakout performance as Tootie Smith in the musical Meet Me in St. Louis. Starring legendary actress Judy Garland as her older sister, 7-year-old O’Brien displayed astonishing depth playing the emotional, mischievous Tootie.
The film was a massive critical and commercial success, grossing over $7 million and earning four Academy Award nominations. O’Brien’s empathetic portrayal earned special praise from critics, including this review from the New York Times:
“Little Margaret O’Brien adds that touch of appeal to the lively happenings which is making her one of Hollywood’s most successful child wonders.”
| Film | Year Released | Total Gross |
|---|---|---|
| Journey for Margaret | 1943 | $2.9 million |
| Meet Me in St. Louis | 1944 | $7.1 million |
Her performance featured two particularly memorable scenes that encapsulated her ability to connect with audiences. In one, Tootie movingly buries her doll in the family’s cemetery after learning they must move from their beloved home.
In another, Tootie fearlessly confronts a group of rough Halloween trick-or-treaters. This sequence demonstrated the gamut of O’Brien’s talents, from the comedic high jinks to her bursting into frightened tears when the bullies bombard her with flour.
Both scenes have become classics, showing early evidence of the child star’s uncommon screen magnetism and talent.
O’Brien Solidifies Her Stardom with Award-Winning Roles
Riding high off the success of Meet Me in St. Louis, MGM Studios quickly put the child star to work again in 1945’s The Clock. Playing youngster Alma opposite Robert Walker and Judy Garland again, O’Brien turned in another knockout dramatic performance.
Her emotionally-wrenching scene reacting to the presumed death of Walker’s soldier character is considered one of the great moments in cinema history. The film was a hit, earning over $4 million at the box office.
That same year, Margaret won a special Academy Juvenile Award for “Outstanding Child Actress of 1944” for her brilliant year of work in both Meet Me in St. Louis and The Clock. She is still the youngest performer ever to win an Oscar.
O’Brien’s fame and acclaim reached even greater heights playing the lead role of Beth in the 1946 holiday drama Little Women. Her magnetic, layered performance earned rave reviews, like this one from acclaimed New York Times critic Bosley Crowther:
“A remarkably mature and moving performance…one of the wisest and finest child actresses to be seen on the screen.”
| Film | Year | Box Office | Accolades |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meet Me in St. Louis | 1944 | $7.1 million gross | Academy Award nomination |
| The Clock | 1945 | $4.4 million gross | Won special Academy Juvenile Award |
| Little Women | 1946 | $6.1 million gross | Hailed by critics nationwide |
Playing the sensitive writer Beth required O’Brien to navigate intense emotions ranging from joyful optimism to utter despair upon falling gravely ill. Her empathetic and nuanced performance anchored this memorable retelling that also starred Elizabeth Taylor and Janet Leigh.
Little Women became another huge hit that further cemented Margaret O’Brien as the biggest child star in Hollywood. Still only 10 years old, the world was captivated watching her create magic on screen.
O’Brien Matures Into Teen Roles While Maintaining Success
As Margaret O’Brien matured into her teenage years, she made a gradual on-screen transition to more grown-up roles while still retaining her signature warmth and charm. In 1948, she delivered a masterful performance opposite Edward G. Robinson playing his young daughter in Our Vines Have Tender Grapes.
Though the film wasn’t a major commercial hit, critics praised 14-year-old O’Brien’s understated and mature work.
She continued balancing both child and teenager parts over the next several years in films such as The Big Wheel (1949), The Secret Garden (1949), and Vincente Minnelli’s The Bad and the Beautiful (1952) playing Kirk Douglas’s daughter.
While the quality roles slowly began drying up in the mid-1950s, O’Brien took on lighter teen fare in Glory (1956) and A Wink and a Prayer (1958) playing bubbly to popular success. Though not demonstrating her early dramatic genius, the actress managed to extend her career as a charming starlet throughout her late teens.
Now navigating young adulthood while maintaining her wholesome, girl-next-door screen image, O’Brien demonstrated profound longevity unusual for a Hollywood child actor.
Why Margaret O’Brien Resonated as a Child Star
So what propelled little Margaret O’Brien into not just child stardom, but pop culture icon status? At the peak of her fame from just 1943 to 1949, her natural talent and screen magnetism entranced the world. But she also possessed intangible qualities setting her apart as an all-time great child actress:
Remarkable Range and Depth: Despite her young age, O’Brien delivered shockingly mature dramatic performances filled with genuine emotion well beyond typical “cute kid” roles. This same little girl making audiences weep could also display masterful comedic timing.
Instant Relatability: Her characters vividly captured childhood wonder and vulnerability. When she cried, smiled, or delivered wise-beyond-her-years monologues, she transcended acting through authenticity.
Uncommon Professionalism: Even as a young girl, O’Brien deeply respected the craft of acting. She displayed total commitment to her complex roles aided by uncommon memorization skills & preparation.
This potent mix made Margaret O’Brien not just a talented actress, but an icon. While kids related to her, adult audiences witnessed one so young perform at such a stratospheric level she often out-acted her veteran co-stars.
O’Brien’s Continued Success Into Adulthood
While Margaret O’Brien never fully re-captured the Hollywood magic of her early stardom, she worked consistently over the ensuing decades in film, television, and stage. She delivered a critically acclaimed performance on Broadway in 1959’s Little Mary Sunshine while still just 22 years old.
On the small screen, she made appearances on shows ranging from Murder, She Wrote to The Love Boat to Fantasy Island. She also performed in live theater and toured with productions nationwide to the delight of longtime fans.
True to her kind nature, O’Brien dedicated significant time supporting a range of charities and non-profit causes. This generosity of spirit harkened back to her most legendary screen roles – displaying warmth, wisdom, and integrity well beyond her years.
Was Margaret O’Brien the Biggest Child Star Ever?
Given her meteoric rise at such a remarkably young age, some film historians bestow Margaret O’Brien with the title of biggest-ever child star. Only a handful of others like Shirley Temple or Macaulay Culkin even warrant mention in the debate.
That O’Brien rose to such wild fame starting at age 7 playing emotionally complex leading roles is practically unheard of in Old Hollywood. That she sustained elite stardom for over a decade as both a child and teenager makes her case all the more special.
While beauty and charm were part of her appeal, Margaret O’Brien earned her exalted status primarily through raw acting genius. Simply put, no one delivered like her as a child performer. Eight decades later, the indelible screen legend of Margaret O’Brien still endures.
Conclusion
Looking back, Margaret O’Brien’s transcendent movie career stands as the gold standard for a Hollywood child star. At the height of her fame, she entranced audiences worldwide with her uncommon talent, charisma, and emotional authenticity.
Starring in several all-time classic films like Meet Me in St. Louis and Little Women, the hauntingly gifted O’Brien elevated child acting to high art. Had she retired by age 12, hers would still qualify as an unforgettable legacy.
Yet remarkably, the actress managed to extend that magic into her late teens in lighter fare as she navigated the tricky transition into adult roles. Despite such early, massive fame, O’Brien displayed inspiring grace and work ethic throughout her lengthy career.
In a celebrity age where sensational headlines and scandal often overshadow actual accomplishment, Margaret O’Brien’s wondrous tale endures. Hers is the rare case of astronomical early success story never dimming a bright star’s shine or sweet disposition.
Eight decades later, that iconic tiny girl with the enchanting smile, tears, and wisdom still captivates imaginations worldwide. Little Tootie indeed left the indelible mark on Hollywood history Margaret O’Brien richly deserves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about Margaret O’Brien’s legendary career as a child star in classic Hollywood films:
How old was Margaret O’Brien when she became famous?
Margaret O’Brien shot to fame at just 7 years old after signing a film contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) Studios in the early 1940s. Her breakout role came playing Tootie in 1944’s Meet Me in St. Louis alongside Judy Garland when she was only 7.
What made Margaret O’Brien such a successful child actor?
Beyond her natural acting talent, Margaret O’Brien connected deeply with audiences through her emotional authenticity, professionalism, endearing screen presence and ability to evoke both laughter and tears. She consistently performed at a remarkably high level usually reserved for much older actors.
How many awards did she win as a child star?
In 1945 at age 8, Margaret O’Brien won a special Academy Juvenile Award honoring the best child actress of the year for her extraordinary work in both Meet Me in St. Louis and The Clock. To this day, she remains the youngest performer ever to win a competitive Oscar.
Did her career last beyond childhood?
Yes, Margaret O’Brien managed to achieve the very rare Hollywood feat of extending her acting career into her late teens and beyond. She starred in several popular films as a teenager then successfully transitioned into adult roles on Broadway, TV and in regional theater over the ensuing decades.
Who were Margaret O’Brien’s most frequent co-stars?
As a child actor, many of Margaret O’Brien’s most acclaimed performances were starring alongside cinema greats like Judy Garland in Meet Me In St. Louis, Robert Walker in The Clock or Edward G. Robinson in Our Vines Have Tender Grapes. She often outshone her legendary adult costars.