Ann Blyth, the Academy Award-nominated actress who starred alongside Joan Crawford in the 1945 classic Mildred Pierce, has died at the age of 98. She passed away peacefully of natural causes on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, two months before her 99th birthday, according to KABC entertainment reporter George Pennacchio.
Early Life and Broadway Beginnings
Born on August 16, 1927, in New York City, Blyth began performing on children's radio shows at the age of 6. Her Broadway debut came in 1941 when she appeared in Lillian Hellman's Watch on the Rhine. She later signed a contract with Universal Studios and made her onscreen debut in the 1944 teen musical Chip Off the Old Block.
Breakthrough Role and Oscar Nomination
Blyth's breakout performance came in 1945 when she played Veda Pierce, the spoiled and manipulative daughter of Joan Crawford's character in Mildred Pierce. At just 16 years old, Blyth earned an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role. The film itself was a major success, winning Crawford the Best Actress Oscar.
Film and Television Career
Throughout the late 1940s and 1950s, Blyth appeared in a string of notable films, including Killer McCoy (1947), Brute Force (1947), and Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid (1948). She also starred in Our Very Own (1950) and The Great Caruso (1951). On television, she guest-starred in popular series such as Wagon Train, The Twilight Zone, Quincy M.E., and Murder, She Wrote.
Theatre Work
In addition to her screen work, Blyth was an accomplished stage actress. She performed in Broadway and touring productions of The King and I, The Sound of Music, and Show Boat, showcasing her singing and acting talents.
Personal Life and Legacy
Blyth married Dr. James McNulty in 1953, and the couple had five children. McNulty predeceased her. She is survived by her five children, 10 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Blyth's contributions to Hollywood's Golden Age have left an enduring legacy, with her performance in Mildred Pierce remaining a touchstone of classic cinema.
