Ann Blyth, the Oscar-nominated actress of Hollywood's Golden Age, has died at the age of 98. The Academy Award nominee 'died peacefully of natural causes' on Wednesday two months before her 99th birthday, according to KABC's George Pennacchio.
Early life and career beginnings
Born on August 16, 1927 in New York, Blyth began performing on children's radio shows at age 6, before landing her first Broadway role in Lillian Hellman's Watch on the Rhine in 1941. After landing a contract with Universal Studios, she made her onscreen debut in the 1944 teen musical Chip Off the Old Block.
Breakthrough role in Mildred Pierce
One year later, Blyth gave her breakout performance in Mildred Pierce (1945) as Veda Pierce, the daughter of Joan Crawford's titular character. The role earned 16-year-old Blyth an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Throughout the rest of her career, Blyth went on to appear in films such as Killer McCoy (1947), Brute Force (1947) and Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid (1948).
Later film and television work
She also featured in Our Very Own (1950) and The Great Caruso (1951), as well as episodes of Wagon Train, The Twilight Zone, Quincy M.E. and Murder She Wrote. In theatre, she starred in shows such as The King and I, The Sound of Music and Show Boat.
Personal life and legacy
Blyth is survived by her five children, whom she shared with late husband Dr. James McNulty, as well as 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
