Paula Murad Coburn

Paula Josephine Murad Coburn (October 31, 1955 – July 30, 2004), also known as Paula O'Hara was a Jamaican-born American actress and television host.

Early life

Murad was born on October 31, 1955, in Jamaica to Leroy, a law professor, and Olive. She had three brothers, Claude (from Leroy’s first marriage to Audrey Neal), Mark and John, and three sisters, Ann (also from Leroy’s first marriage), Catherine and Elizabeth. When she was a baby, the Murads moved to Cleveland.

Career

Prior to her acting career, Murad resided in Washington, D.C., where she hosted a television show called Real Estate Digest. Murad was also a television newsreader. She later moved to Los Angeles, where she studied with acting coaches Warner Loughlin and Howard Fine.

She appeared in the films The Set Up (1995) and American Gun (2002), both of which feature her husband James Coburn. She also appeared in an episode of USA High.

Personal life

Murad met her future husband, actor James Coburn, in Los Angeles. They married on October 22, 1993, or November 22, 1993. Their marriage made her stepmother of Coburn's two children from his first marriage: Lisa and James IV.

Murad and her husband founded the James and Paula Coburn Foundation.

Coburn, who won an Oscar for his performance in Affliction (1998), mentioned Murad in his acceptance speech: "This, for my beautiful wife, Paula. She finally got to come to the Academy Awards. This is for you, baby!"

Murad and Coburn remained together until his death on November 18, 2002. The couple were at their Beverly Hills home listening to music together when Coburn died of a heart attack. According to Coburn's manager, Hillard Elkins, Coburn died in Murad's arms.

Death

On July 30, 2004, Murad died of cancer at her home in Beverly Hills. She was 48 years old.