In the summer of 1979, Maureen O’Hara received devastating news: her cherished friend and frequent co-star, John Wayne, had passed away at the age of 72. “That’s the only time I ever saw my grandmother cry,” Conor Beau Fitzsimons recalls to Closer. “She didn’t shed a tear when her husband passed, but when Duke left us, she couldn’t hold back.”
John Wayne, affectionately known as "Duke" to his inner circle, and Maureen O’Hara starred in five unforgettable films together. Their on-screen chemistry was electric, often sparking rumors that they were more than just friends in real life. While the duo always laughed off such speculation, Maureen’s grandson reveals there was indeed a fleeting romantic chapter in their storied relationship. “I know they shared a moment at one point, but she was too strong for him,” Fitzsimons explains. “They would’ve never worked as a couple. But their friendship? That was unmatched.”
From Strangers to Screen Legends
Maureen O'Hara, born in Dublin, first crossed paths with Duke through legendary director John Ford, who quickly became a mutual friend. Ford cast them together in the 1950 romantic western Rio Grande, where Duke reprised his iconic role as Capt. Kirby York. Maureen played his estranged wife—a role that captivated audiences immediately. “Duke’s screen presence was so commanding that when fans finally met a woman who could match his intensity, it was electrifying,” Maureen once remarked.
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A Woman Who Held Her Own
Maureen wasn’t just a pretty face; she was a force to be reckoned with. “Back in those days, women weren’t expected to keep up with the guys, but my grandmother could drink whiskey, stay up late, and hold her own,” Fitzsimons reminisces. “They’d gather at Ford’s house, knock back a few drinks, and she’d sit at the piano, playing and singing. That’s how she earned her reputation as 'one of the boys.'”
She valued being respected as an equal rather than just another Hollywood beauty. In 1945, she boldly spoke out about the casting couch culture—a move that almost derailed her career. “I’m tired of being a victim of Hollywood whispers,” she once said. “Just because I don’t let producers or directors paw me doesn’t mean I’m cold. I’m human, dammit!” Around Duke and Ford, however, she felt safe. “My grandma didn’t appreciate being hit on all the time,” Fitzsimons adds. “When she wanted to relax and just be herself, she knew Duke had her back.”
A Night That Strengthened Their Bond
Despite their chemistry, Maureen and Duke only acted on their feelings once. “I’m pretty sure it happened just that one time,” Fitzsimons admits. “You can’t share the kind of looks they had in their movies without having experienced something real.” Until her passing in 2015 at age 95, Maureen kept a hotel room key as a memento of that night. On a card beside it, she wrote: “Better as friends.” Fitzsimons believes that night solidified their lifelong friendship. “They were friends first. Most of Duke’s romantic interests weren’t his friends. But Maureen? She was different.”
Duke held Maureen in the highest regard. “There’s only one woman who’s been my true friend over the years,” he once said. “She’s bold, vibrant, and absolutely incredible. She’s my kind of person. She’s a great guy. And I mean that in the best way possible. Most of my friends are men, but Maureen? She’s an exception.”
A Friendship That Transcended Hollywood
Duke and Maureen grew closer over the years, becoming like family. She formed strong bonds with his second and third wives, thanks in part to her fluency in Spanish, which allowed them to share private jokes about him. “They could laugh at him without him even knowing,” Fitzsimons chuckles. Through marriages, divorces, childrearing, illness, and the ups and downs of their Hollywood careers, they remained steadfast supporters of each other. “Duke valued her opinion deeply,” Fitzsimons notes. “She gave him honest feedback, and he trusted her completely.”
As a child, Fitzsimons fished with Duke when they were both visiting Maureen. “He was a role model for me,” Fitzsimons reflects. “Growing up without a father, Maureen encouraged me to look up to Duke. He embodied everything I admired—respect, integrity, love for country. Duke helped shape the man I became.”
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Remembering a Legend
Maureen O’Hara is now celebrated with a new exhibit at the Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum in her native Ireland. Her legacy lives on through her films, her activism, and the lives she touched. For Conor Beau Fitzsimons, her influence remains profound. “She taught me what it means to be strong, authentic, and true to yourself,” he says. “And she reminded me that friendships, like the one she shared with Duke, are some of life’s greatest treasures.”
