Marie Kean

Marie Kean (27 June 1918 – 29 December 1993) was an Irish stage and screen actress, with a career spanning over 40 years, The Stage called her one of Ireland's most impressive actresses, and "an artist of considerable emotional depth and theatrical command."

Life Kean grew up in the village of Rush, County Dublin, and was educated at Loreto College, North Great George's Street, Dublin. She learned her craft at the Gaiety School of Acting and was part of the Abbey Theatre company until 1961.

Kean's leading role as the kindly matriarch Mrs. Kennedy in the Radio Éireann serial drama The Kennedys of Castleross made her famous throughout Ireland. She starred in the programme for the duration of its 18-year run.

In 1968, Kean won a Jacob's Award for her performance as Winnie in RTÉ television's production of Samuel Beckett's play Happy Days, a role she had performed on stage and which she described later as her favourite part. Among her other television roles was that of Mrs. Conn Brickley, Bridget's mother, in an episode of the Irish RM titled "The Boat's Share". In 1978 she won the State of New York best actress award for her performance in what has become Keane's most successful play.

Arguably her most memorable film role was as Barry's scheming mother in Stanley Kubrick's Barry Lyndon. Her final movie appearance was in John Huston's The Dead (1987), in which she played the part of Mrs. Malins.

Marie Kean died in Donnybrook, Dublin at the age of 75. Her husband William Mulvey predeceased her in 1977.

Filmography Year Title Role Notes1956 Jacqueline Mrs. Flannagan 1958 Rooney Mrs. O'Flynn 1958 Sally's Irish Rogue Ellen Carey 1960 A Terrible Beauty Mrs. Matia Devlin (the publican) 1961 The Big Gamble Cynthia 1962 The Quare Fellow Mrs. O'Hara 1962 Stork Talk Mrs. Webster 1964 Girl with Green Eyes Josie Hannigan 1966 I Was Happy Here 1966 Cul-de-sac Marion Fairweather 1966 The Fighting Prince of Donegal Iníon Dubh 1968 Great Catherine Princess Dashkoff 1970 Ryan's Daughter Mrs. McCardle 1975 Barry Lyndon Belle, Barry's Mother 1982 Angel Mae 1987 The Dead Mrs. Malins 1987 The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne Mrs. Rice