Ann Blyth, the Oscar-nominated actress who became unforgettable as Joan Crawford’s scheming teenage daughter in the classic 1945 drama Mildred Pierce, has died. She was 98.
KABC entertainment reporter George Pennacchio reported that Blyth died peacefully of natural causes on Wednesday, less than two months before her 99th birthday.
Blyth was only 16 years old when she starred in Mildred Pierce, playing Veda Pierce, the spoiled and manipulative daughter whose betrayal helped make the film one of Hollywood’s most memorable melodramas.
The movie became a career-defining hit for Joan Crawford, who won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance. Blyth also earned an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress, a remarkable achievement for such a young performer.
Despite the venomous relationship between their characters on screen, Blyth later spoke warmly about working with Crawford. She said the two got along very well during filming and remembered the experience with affection.
Blyth went on to enjoy a career that stretched across more than 70 years, with work in film, television and musical theater. She became known not only for her acting talent, but also for her singing voice and graceful screen presence.
Her family said she remained deeply grateful to her fans throughout her life. According to Pennacchio, Blyth was known for personally answering all of her fan mail.
Blyth was married to James McNulty, who died in 2007. The couple had five children together.
For generations of movie lovers, Blyth will be remembered as one of Hollywood’s golden-age stars, forever linked to the role that made her a legend before she was even out of her teens.