Who knew that the woman who inspired Betty Boop was raised in an Irish household?
From glamorous baby-talking sweethearts like Helen Kane to tough-guy Mafioso duo James Cagney and Pat OâBrien, these actors together create the definition of âHollywood Star.â It comes as no surprise that their thickest connecting string is an Irish one.
Mary Pickford (1892-1979)
Though this true pioneer of a Hollywood actress was awarded the honorary title of âAmericaâs Sweetheart,â Mary Pickford attributes many of her values and character inspirations to her Irish roots. Throughout her career, she would recall stories and memories from her motherâs poverty-stricken upbringing in county Kerry, Ireland in order to build connections with her roles, which were typically those of young, honest, penniless female Irish immigrants or Irish-Americans (titles include âThe Foundlingâ (1915), âLittle Annie Rooneyâ (1925) and âAmarilly of Clothes-line