Eva Marie Saint, the Oscar-winning actress whose career spanned classic Hollywood cinema and decades of television, died at her home in Los Angeles surrounded by her family, a family spokesperson announced, Novinky reported.
Early Life and Television Beginnings in Newark
Born in Newark on July 4, 1924, Saint grew up attending school in Delmar before enrolling at Bowling Green State University in 1942. After completing her studies, she transitioned quickly into the burgeoning entertainment industry of the era, finding early work in radio dramatizations and live television programs.
Her early credits included roles in television series such as Suspense, Plymouth Playhouse, and Goodyear Television Playhouse. While building a reputation in television, she also established herself on stage before making the jump to feature films in 1954.
Academy Award Success in On the Waterfront
Saint made her cinematic debut in Elia Kazan’s 1954 drama On the Waterfront. The film achieved massive critical and commercial success, earning Saint an Academy Award alongside her co-star Marlon Brando, who also won an Oscar.
Critic A. H. Weller wrote at the time that Kazan’s decision to cast a relatively unknown television actress was a brilliant move. Following her breakout film role, Saint starred in That Certain Feeling before filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock cast her in his 1959 thriller North by Northwest.
Iconic Role in North by Northwest
Hitchcock surprised industry observers by selecting Saint to play the femme fatale opposite Cary Grant and James Mason in North by Northwest. The resulting chemistry between the leads turned the romantic mystery thriller into one of the director’s most enduring and highly rated films.
Building on that momentum, Saint maintained a steady film career throughout the 1960s. She starred alongside Paul Newman in the 1960 historical drama Exodus, appeared in the comedy The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming, and took the lead role in the racing drama Grand Prix. She also appeared alongside Gregory Peck in the western The Stalking Moon.
Saint Earns Emmy Award for People Like Us
As film opportunities slowed in the 1970s, Saint returned to television work. She earned a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for her portrayal of Kate Macahan in the western series adaptation How the West Was Won, and received a second Emmy nomination for her work on the series Taxi!!!. She ultimately won an Emmy Award later in her career for her performance in the drama series People Like Us.
Her television and film work continued across the decades, including appearances in the television film The Curse of King Tut’s Tomb and the comedy Nothing in Common, which featured Tom Hanks.
Saint Concludes Screen Career with Winter's Tale
In her later career, Saint appeared in the biographical drama I Dreamed of Africa and returned to major studio blockbusters as Martha Kent in Bryan Singer’s 2006 superhero film Superman Returns. In that production, she shared screen presence with archival and holographic imagery of her former co-star Marlon Brando.
Saint concluded her on-screen film career with the 2014 fantasy romance Winter’s Tale and wrapped up her screen work that same year by providing the voice of Katara in the animated television series The Legend of Korra.
For her contributions to the entertainment industry, Saint earned two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame—one for motion pictures and a second for television. She was the partner of producer and director Jeffrey Hayden from 1951 until her death in 2016, and the couple shared two children.
Frequently Asked Questions About Eva Marie Saint
Where was Eva Marie Saint born and raised?
Eva Marie Saint was born in Newark on July 4, 1924, and attended school in Delmar before studying at Bowling Green State University beginning in 1942, Novinky reported.
Which film earned Eva Marie Saint an Academy Award?
Saint won the Academy Award for her feature film debut in Elia Kazan’s 1954 drama On the Waterfront, News reported.
Who was Saint’s husband and how long were they married?
Saint was the partner of producer and director Jeffrey Hayden from 1951 until her death in 2016, Novinky reported.
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