She had three brothers, Frank, Matt, and Ed, Jr., and the six formed a family vaudeville comedy act.

[1] When she was 4 years old, McHugh starred in a theatrical production of Little Lord Fauntleroy.

She went on to act on stage as an adult, including work with the Actors Lab company on the Pacific coast.

[2] McHugh appeared in the Three Stooges short subjects Hoi Polloi, Listen, Judge, and Gents in a Jam.

[citation needed] It was in the latter film that she portrayed Mrs. McGruder, the Stooges' irate landlady who delivers the trio a triple slap and a right hook to wrestler Rocky Duggan (Mickey Simpson).