Oscar-nominated actress has family ties to Mercer County

Like many doting aunts, Phyllis Hodges of Athens is especially proud of her young niece. Speaking in a heavy Irish brogue, undimmed by the decade she has spent residing in southern West Virginia, Hodges’ voice radiates warmth as she boasts of the youngster’s compassionate nature, keen intellect and devotion to family.

The 13-year-old is also remarkably unpretentious and humble, Hodges says, sharing stories of the youth’s typical teen activities. Although this characteristic may not seem remarkably noteworthy, it becomes quite laudable when one learns the niece under discussion is Saoirse Ronan:

• Saoirse Ronan, the actress nominated for an Academy Award for her role in the Golden Globe-winning movie “Atonement.”

• Saoirse Ronan, whose performance in “Atonement” has drawn words of praise and admiration from some of the country’s most esteemed movie critics.

• And, yes, Saoirse Ronan, who is currently in New Zealand filming the movie adaptation of the renowned novel, “The Lovely Bones,” under the direction of the esteemed Peter Jackson.

“She’s such a sweet kid,” Hodges said. “Thank God she has her feet firmly on the ground. But I have a wonderful sister who makes sure she keeps her feet on the ground.”

Saoirse (pronounced SEER-Sha), is Gaelic for “freedom,” said Hodges, who is a native of Ireland.

Although Hodges and her siblings — a brothers and two sisters — and their families are spread out across the globe, the family remains close, speaking by phone regularly and reuniting at gatherings as often as possible.

“Saoirse is the daughter of my baby sister, Monica Ronan, and her husband, Paul,” Hodges said, explaining how it was actually Saoirse’s father who was the first actor in the family.

Hodges said the Ronans were living in New York, where Saoirse was born, when Paul was discovered as an actor. “He was working in a bar and someone saw him and thought he was good for acting, and he began appearing in off-Broadway shows.”

The Ronans moved back to Ireland when Saoirse was 3, because they felt it would be a better place for Paul to pursue his career, Hodges said. There he continued acting, appearing in television shows and other productions.

A few years later, a chance encounter through her father’s career launched Saoirse’s entrance into the entertainment world.

“I think he went in for an audition and someone noticed her,” Hodges said. “It was just by chance that she got noticed. I think she was probably about 7 or 8. She got bits and pieces in television over there and it just happened.”

Soon, Saoirse began appearing in movies, and has now amassed an impressive list of film credentials. Among the movies she has appeared in: “The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey,” with Tom Berenger; “Death Defying Acts,” with Catherine Zeta-Jones; and “City of Ember,” now in post-production, with Bill Murray and Tim Robbins.

Now, she’s filming the movie adaptation of “The Lovely Bones.” “She was over here for three months last year in Pennsylvania doing part of the movie,” Hodges said, “and she is in New Zealand now finishing the movie.”

Hodges said Saoirse has an amazing ability to memorize scripts, but is equally impressive with her ability to speak in different accents.

“She picks up accents very easily,” Hodges said, noting movie viewers would not realize the youngster was Irish. “In ‘Atonement’ you would think she was a British child, but if you spoke to her (in person), her accent is really heavy like mine.”

Hodges said Saoirse is modest about her recent honors. When they speak on the phone, the youngster always inquires about family members – including Hodges’ husband, Bill, and her daughter, Paula, who is pregnant – instead of discussing her own achievements.

When Hodges was speaking to Saoirse’s mother a few days after the Academy Award nomination was announced, the youngster got on the phone to chat. “She said, ‘Hi Aunty Phyl! How’s Paula? How’s the baby?’”

Hodges said she congratulated Saoirse on her nomination, and the youngster said, “Thank you Aunty Phyl” – then immediately began asking about the family again.

Saoirse was also nominated for a Golden Globe for her role in “Atonement,” and was just as unpretentious about this award, Hodges said. “I don’t think it’s really sunk in with her. She’s just a kid.”

Hodges said Saoirse enjoys “playing football (soccer)” with her friends and other typical activities. And at family gatherings, “she’s just like the other children. You wouldn’t even know” she was famous.

Saoirse’s parents have never pushed her to act or take roles in particular movies, Hodges said, explaining that when she is offered a role her parents discuss it with her and ask, “Do you want to do it?”

“She’s not doing this for the money,” Hodges said. “She’s doing this because she loves acting.”

Hodges is particularly proud that Saoirse’s fame has not affected her compassionate and modest personality, relating a recent conversation with her niece. “I said to her, ‘You keep your feet on the ground.’”

Saoirse replied that if she didn’t, “I know mom would put weights on my feet.”

“I’m kind of biased, but she’s a special kid,” Hodges said. “A very special kid.”

Hodges said her family believes “you don’t spoil your child with material things, you spoil them with love.”

“That’s the way I was raised, that’s the way my brother and sisters were raised, and that’s the way they’re raising their kids.”

– Contact Samantha Perry at sperry@bdtonline.com

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