17 Facts About Shelah Richards

Sheila Geraldine Richards was born on 23 May 1903 in Dublin, to John William Richards and Adelaide Roper.

Shelah Richards's father was a lawyer and her mother was a suffragist who had chained herself to the railings in St Stephen's Green.

Shelah Richards went to school in Alexandra College, Dublin and after that she went to a finishing school in Paris.

Shelah Richards attended her salons with her parents as a child.

Shelah Richards' acting career started while attending the Dublin drama league and she was asked at short notice to replace Eileen Crowe in Juno and the Paycock, playing the role of Mary Boyle in the Abbey Theatre production.

Shelah Richards got the role of Nora Clithero in the 1926 production of The Plough and the Stars, O'Casey's next production.

Shelah Richards continued to take on leading roles with the Abbey Theatre but in 1926 she began to direct.

Shelah Richards toured the US with the Abbey players in 1932 and with the Irish Players in the mid 30s.

War in Europe broke out while the run was still going on and Shelah Richards was advised to stay in the United States.

Shelah Richards brought Marcel Marceau to Dublin for the first time.

Shelah Richards continued to act and had some film roles.

Shelah Richards was one of the first producers, recommended to the station by Hilton Edwards.

Shelah Richards was one of the few women in the new station.

Shelah Richards worked as producer on a wide number of programs for the station including documentaries, soap operas and religious programming.

Shelah Richards was the last living member of the original 1926 cast.

Shelah Richards died in Ballybrack, County Dublin on 19 January 1985.

Shelah Richards's funeral was held in St Anne's Church in Dublin and she was cremated in Glasnevin.