Ann Blyth, the Academy Award-nominated actress from Hollywood's Golden Age, has died at the age of 98. The actress, best known for her breakout role in the 1945 film Mildred Pierce, passed away peacefully of natural causes on Wednesday, June 24, according to KABC reporter George Pennacchio. She died two months before her 99th birthday.
Early life and career beginnings
Born on August 16, 1927, in New York, Blyth began performing on children's radio shows at the age of six. She landed her first Broadway role at just 12 years old in Lillian Hellman's Watch on the Rhine in 1941. After signing a contract with Universal Studios, she made her onscreen debut in the 1944 teen musical Chip Off the Old Block.
Breakout role and Oscar nomination
One year later, Blyth delivered her breakthrough performance in Mildred Pierce (1945), playing Veda Pierce, the daughter of Joan Crawford's titular character. The role earned the 16-year-old Blyth an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Throughout the rest of her career, she appeared in films such as Killer McCoy (1947), Brute Force (1947), Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid (1948), Our Very Own (1950), and The Great Caruso (1951). She also featured in television episodes of Wagon Train, The Twilight Zone, Quincy M.E., and Murder She Wrote.
Theatre and later career
In theatre, Blyth starred in productions such as The King and I, The Sound of Music, and Show Boat. Her career spanned more than 70 years in musical theatre, television, and 35 movies. She also toured for years, singing songs from the Great American Songbook with Bill Hayes and Donald O'Connor.
Tributes and philanthropy
Writing on Facebook, reporter Pennacchio paid tribute: 'She was only 16 when she was nominated for an Oscar! Ann began performing on the radio when she was only six. She was Broadway at the age of 12 and she made her first film at 14. Her career spanned more than 70 years in musical theatre, on television and in 35 movies. She also toured for years, singing songs from the Great American Songbook with Bill Hayes and Donald O’Connor. Ann was active in philanthropy and volunteered for many causes. Her family says she loved her garden, knitting and oil painting. She was known for gifting her work to friends and family. There’s also a star that bears her name on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Her family says she was known for personally answering all of her fan mail, which she was grateful to receive. May this lovely lady R.I.P.'
Survivors
Blyth is survived by her five children, whom she shared with her late husband Dr. James McNulty, as well as 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
