Ann Blyth
| Ann Blyth | |
|---|---|
Blyth in 1952.
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| Born |
Ann Marie Blyth August 16, 1928 Mount Kisco, New York, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress, singer |
| Years active | 1941–1985 |
| Spouse(s) | James McNulty (m. 1953; his death 2007) |
| Children | 5 |
Ann Marie Blyth (born August 16, 1928) is an American actress and singer, often cast in Hollywood musicals, but also successful in dramatic roles. Her performance as Veda Pierce in the 1945 film Mildred Pierce was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
She is one of the last surviving stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood.
Blyth was born August 16, 1928 in Mount Kisco, New York, to Harry and Nan Lynch Blyth. After her parents separated, she, her mother, and sister moved to a walk-up apartment on E31st Street in New York City, where her mother took in ironing. Blyth attended St. Patrick's School in Manhattan.
Blyth performed on children's radio shows in New York for six years. Her first acting role was on Broadway in Lillian Hellman's Watch on the Rhine (from 1941 until 1942). She played the part of Paul Lukas's daughter, Babette. The play ran for 378 performances, and won the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award. After the New York run, the play went on tour, and while in Los Angeles, Blyth was offered a contract with Universal Studios.
Blyth began her acting career initially as "Anne Blyth," but changed the spelling of her first name back to "Ann" at the beginning of her film career. She made her film debut in 1944, teamed with Donald O'Connor in the teen-age musical Chip Off the Old Block. In musical films such as Babes on Swing Street, and Bowery to Broadway (both 1944), she played the part of the sweet and demure teenager.
On loan to Warner Brothers Blyth was cast "against type" as Veda Pierce, the scheming, ungrateful daughter of Joan Crawford in the 1945 film Mildred Pierce. Her dramatic portrayal won her outstanding reviews and she received a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Blyth was only 16 when she made the Michael Curtiz film. (Crawford won the Best Actress award for that film.)
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