This celebrated Golden Age actress stumbled into Hollywood stardom as a child, beginning an illustrious acting career purely by chance. In her later years, she reflected on her extraordinary path and humbly shared, “I enjoyed it.”

The former child star, who received a special Oscar at the age of seven—only to have it stolen years later—has just celebrated her 88th birthday. Explore her transformation through photos—from her glory days to recent moments.

The California native’s journey to fame is as intriguing as the legacy she built in Hollywood, starting with an unexpected opportunity.

An undated image of the actress posing for a Christmas photo | Source: Getty Images

Unlike many child stars, she wasn’t guided by a stage mother intent on finding fame. The actress’s mom, a renowned Spanish dancer widowed shortly after her daughter’s birth, was focused on her own career.

An undated image of the Shirley Temple and the child actress | Source: Getty Images

During a photoshoot with the acclaimed Paul Hesse, she brought her two-year-old daughter and their dog, as no babysitter was available. Hesse, taken by the dog’s charm, photographed him for the cover of the Saturday Evening Post. However, he also noticed the little girl’s appeal.

The actress pictured on January 1, 1943 | Source: Getty Images

“He said, ‘The baby’s not bad either, she’s kind of cute,’ and we made the cover,” the star later recounted. That first cover led to several more, eventually catching the attention of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios (MGM) scouts.

The child star on the set of “Lost Angel,” 1943 | Source: Getty Images

A small role in a studio production soon followed, with her film debut appearing as a one-minute shot in “Babes on Broadway” at four years old.

Roy Rowland and the child actress on the set of “Lost Angel,” 1943 | Source: Getty Images

But the celebrity’s big moment came the following year when she was cast in “Journey for Margaret” (1942), a performance that propelled her into instant stardom.

The actress on the set of “Journey for Margaret,” 1942 | Source: Getty Images

Her talent earned widespread admiration from colleagues and audiences alike, who lovingly referred to her as “America’s favorite sweetheart.” With performances that left an indelible mark on Hollywood, she cemented her status as one of the era’s most cherished stars.

(L-R) Laraine Day, the child actress, William Severn, and Robert Young on the set of “Journey for Margaret,” 1942 | Source: Getty Images

One of the “Jane Eyre” alum’s most iconic roles was playing Judy Garland’s lively younger sister, Tootie, in the classic musical “Meet Me in St. Louis” (1944).

The actress and Judy Garland on the set of “Meet Me in St. Louis,” 1944 | Source: Getty Images

As her career blossomed, she remained shielded from many of the pitfalls that plagued other child celebrities of her time, thanks to her mother’s unwavering support.

Tom Drake, Judy Garland, and the child star pictured in a promotional portrait for “Meet Me In St. Louis,” 1944 | Source: Getty Images

The celebrity once shared in an interview, “I was very fortunate to have a mother that spoke up to [studio head] Louis B. Mayer,” a notable difference from Garland’s experience, whose mother was unable to protect her from the pressures imposed by the studio.

The actress and Judy Garland on the set of “Meet Me in St. Louis,” 1944 | Source: Getty Images

While Judy Garland faced relentless criticism about her weight and was forced to take amphetamines and barbiturates, the actress revealed her experience was far different.

Judy Garland and the actress on the set of “Meet Me in St. Louis,” 1944 | Source: Getty Images

“When I came to the studio, that was all taken away,” she explained, recalling that teachers were present on the MGM lot and diet pills were no longer part of the equation. Amid this supportive environment, the Hollywood star delivered a performance in “Meet Me in St. Louis” that charmed audiences.

The actress, Judy Garland and fellow cast members on the set of “Meet Me in St. Louis,” 1944 | Source: Getty Images

Actress Margaret O’Brien’s work on the film earned her a special Juvenile Academy Award in 1945 at seven years old as an Outstanding Child Actress of 1944. The honor also solidified her status as the highest-paid entertainer in the country at the time.

The actress accepts her Juvenile Academy Award from Bob Hope on March 15, 1945 | Source: Getty Images

The actress photographed on January 1, 1945 | Source: Getty Images

The public figure’s Oscar was kept in a dedicated awards room at her home. In 1954, during a time when the then-17-year-old’s mother was gravely ill, the family’s maid took the statuette, along with two other awards, home to polish—something she had done before.

The celebrity pictured on May 10, 1954 | Source: Getty Images

The actress posing for a portrait on January 1, 1955 | Source: Getty Images

The actress on the set of the musical “Little Women,” 1958 | Source: Getty Images

However, after the maid was dismissed and moved away without leaving a forwarding address, the award was not returned.

The actress pictured on January 1, 1960 | Source: Getty Images

The actress posing for a photo on January 1, 1968 | Source: Getty Images

In the years that followed, O’Brien continued to search for her missing Oscar. While browsing antique shops and flea markets, she often reminded herself, “If I don’t lose hope, it’ll come around.”

The actress attends The Thalians Presidents Club’s Crown Russe Ball on February 13, 1977, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images

The celebrity at the Fifth Annual American Cinema Awards on January 30, 1988, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images

The actress attends the taping of “America’s All-Star Tibute to Elizabeth Taylor” on February 23, 1989, in Palm Desert, California. | Source: Getty Images

Fortunately, it eventually did. After nearly four decades, her search came to an end in 1995 when she was finally reunited with the special Oscar.

Margaret O’Brien attends a press conference to announce return of her long lost Oscar on February 7, 1995, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images

This came after baseball memorabilia collectors Steve Neimand and Mark Nash found the prestigious trophy at a Pasadena swap meet and ensured its return. “I never thought it would be returned,” O’Brien said at the time.

Margaret O’Brien and Arthu Hiller at a press conference on February 7, 1995, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images

Looking back on her journey in another interview, she reflected on the challenges of transitioning from a beloved child star to an adult actress, “It’s harder to get people to accept the fact you’re older, but it’s good because it helped me as an actress.”

Margaret O’Brien at an event honoring actress Rose Marie with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on October 3, 2001, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images

The award-winning star credited television with allowing her to move beyond her childhood roles and take on more mature parts. “It has given me a chance to get out of the awkward age—something the movies couldn’t do for me,” she explained.

Margaret O’Brien during “The Ten Commandments” opening night on September 27, 2001, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

“Regrets? No, I have no regrets at all about spending my childhood as an actress,” O’Brien expressed. Her mother ensured she stayed grounded by making sure she played with the neighborhood children and received the same allowance as any other kid her age.

Margaret O’Brien at the Professional Dancers Society’s 27th Annual Gypsy Award Luncheon on March 30, 2014, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images

The celebrity’s grounded upbringing and positive outlook have shaped her approach to life and her career. “I really enjoyed it, and it gave me a wonderful life,” she said of her acting journey in another interview, which has included steady work in television and on stage.

Margaret O’Brien attends the TCM Classic Film Festival’s opening night gala and world premiere of “Oklahoma!” on April 10, 2014 in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images

Decades later, the veteran star’s talent continues to impress audiences, with fans frequently praising her timeless performances.

Margaret O’Brien attends the screening of “Meet Me in St. Louis” on April 11, 2014, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images

One social media user remarked, “Great actress. Wonderful person. You brought happiness to so many people, thank you, Margaret O’Brien.” Another added, “What a girl, the most talented child star of them all.” A third shared, “Always loved her!!”

O’Brien’s personal life has been as eventful as her career. She was first married to Harold Robert Allen Jr. from 1959 to 1969. Years later, in 1974, she remarried Roy Thorsen, with whom she welcomed her daughter, Mara Thorsen, in 1977.

Margaret O’Brien attends as Michael Bush receives a star on the Palm Springs’ Walk of Stars on November 9, 2021, in Palm Springs, California. | Source: Getty Images

O’Brien’s journey from a beloved young actress to a respected performer on stage and television highlights her exceptional skill and dedication. Years after her rise to fame, she remains a cherished figure in Hollywood, admired by both fans and peers.

Margaret O’Brien attends the Judy Garland 100th Birthday Gala & Fragrance Reveal on June 10, 2022, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

With a legacy of unforgettable performances and a life filled with memorable achievements, she continues to be celebrated as one of the most legendary stars of her era.