Sara Allgood

Academy Award-nominated actress Sara Allgood started her career at the renowned Abbey Theatre in her hometown of Dublin. A rising star, Sara landed several key roles and it wasn't long before she was considered one of Europe's finest thespians, but the joy of her success was short-lived. In 1917, Ireland's plague of influenza tragically claimed the life of both her husband and child. Nevertheless, Allgood attempted to transition into the film world and made her big-screen debut in 1918 with "Just Peggy." The film's poor reception, however, sent her back to the stage. More than a decade later, legendary director Alfred Hitchcock was able to renew her interest in cinema, casting her in several of his films including "Blackmail" and "The Shame of Mary Boyle." Working steadily throughout the rest of her career, Allgood put her formal training to good use, performing in adaptations of classic works such as 1941's "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" and 1943's "Jane Eyre." Allgood received her first and only Oscar nomination for her role in "How Green was My Valley," and the film's success brought the actress a wealth of roles over the next five years. A memorable performer, Sara Allgood died unexpectedly in 1950 of a heart attack.