Ann Blyth, Last of Hollywood's Golden Age, Dies at 98
Ann Blyth, an Academy Award nominee and one of the final surviving stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood, has died at the age of 98. She passed away on Wednesday, June 24, from natural causes, as announced by KABC's George Pennacchio on Facebook on Thursday, June 25. Her death came just two months before what would have been her 99th birthday.
Career Spanning Over Seven Decades
Blyth began her career as a child star in the 1930s, performing on radio at the age of six. She made her Broadway debut at 12 and her first film at 14. Over a career spanning more than 70 years, she appeared in 35 movies, musical theatre, and television. She earned an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Veda opposite Joan Crawford in the 1945 film Mildred Pierce.
According to Pennacchio's Facebook post, 'She was only 16 when she was nominated for an Oscar! Actress Ann Blyth died peacefully of natural causes on Wednesday at the age of 98, less than two months before her 99th birthday.'
Musical Theatre and Philanthropy
Blyth also toured for years singing songs from the Great American Songbook with Bill Hayes and Donald O'Connor. She was active in philanthropy, volunteering for many causes. Her family noted that she loved gardening, knitting, and oil painting, often gifting her work to friends and family.
She and her late husband, Dr. James McNulty, had five children, 10 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. A star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame bears her name. Her family said she was known for personally answering all her fan mail.
Legacy and Tributes
One Facebook user commented, 'Wow. I saw her in 2024 at 96 yrs old and she looked great! I thought she would live to 100! Rip.' Another said, 'She was so talented. Not only as a dramatic actress, but in musicals as well. Her real singing voice was gorgeous in MGM's Rose Marie, The Student Prince and Kismet.'
