Hollywood star with local links subject of Ballinasloe talk

Hollywood great Bette Davis answered, “George Brent” whenever asked to name her favourite co-star, an actor with strong links to Shannonbridge, Ballinasloe and Moore. They teamed up many times on the silver screen in the 1930s and 1940s.

He is the subject of a talk this Saturday, January 27 by Ballinasloe & District Heritage Society entitled 'The Life and Legacy of George Brent', to be given by John Maguire. It takes place in the town's library at 2.30pm.

Born George Brendan Nolan in 1904, although some sources say 1899, it's reputed his birthplace was Raharabeg, just across the bridge of Shannonbridge in county Roscommon, however other sources simply list it as Ballinasloe.

In his youth, it is said he worked as a courier for Michael Collins, before fleeing to America when a bounty was reputed to have been put on his head by the British.

He eventually moved to Hollywood where he made his first film in 1930 as George Brent, and it is then his studio appears to have come with new back-story for the actor, including a stint in a Dublin university and the Abbey Theatre.

He went on to star in numerous movies, including an amazing eleven appearances alongside Bette Davis, including classics like 'Jezebel' which earned his leading lady a Best Actress Oscar.

During a stellar film career he also appeared alongside a who's who of leading ladies from Greta Garbo to Joan Fontaine, Merle Oberon, Barbara Stanwyck and Hedy Lamarr before moving into TV in the 1950s and 60s.

Having married several times, he died in 1979, age 75, according to the New York Times.