Eva Marie Saint, ‘North by Northwest’ Star, Dies at 102

Oscar-winning actress Eva Marie Saint, renowned for her iconic roles in classic films such as "On the Waterfront" and Alfred Hitchcock's "North by Northwest," died on Tuesday at her residence in Los Angeles. She was 102 years old. Saint, characterized by her delicate, fine-boned features, emerged as one of the initial breakout talents from the nascent medium of early television. Her Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress was earned for her performance in "On the Waterfront," a 1954 drama directed by Elia Kazan, where she portrayed Edie Doyle. In this film, she starred alongside Marlon Brando, Karl Malden, and Lee J. Cobb, contributing to a narrative exploring corruption within the longshoremen's union. Her collaboration with director Alfred Hitchcock in the 1959 thriller "North by Northwest" cemented her status as a leading lady. In this film, she played the enigmatic Eve Kendall, a character central to a mistaken identity plot involving Cary Grant's character, Roger Thornhill. The film is celebrated for its suspense, iconic set pieces, and Saint's sophisticated portrayal. Beyond these landmark roles, Saint's career spanned over six decades, encompassing theater, television, and film. She received a Tony Award nomination in 1953 for her role in the Broadway play "The Trip to Bountiful." Her television work included a notable performance in the 1956 live television adaptation of "Our Town," for which she received an Emmy Award nomination. She also starred in the 1978 film "Loving Couples" and lent her voice to the animated film "The Man Who Planted Trees" in 1987, which won an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film. Her later career saw her appear in "The Love Letter" (1999) and "Winter's Bone" (2010), the latter earning an Academy Award nomination for Jennifer Lawrence. Born Eva Marie Saint on July 4, 1924, in Newark, New Jersey, she began her acting career after graduating from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. She was married to actor Jeffrey Hayden, who passed away in 2016, and they had two children, Laurence and Melinda. Saint's enduring legacy is that of a versatile and elegant performer who graced both the intimate medium of television and the grand scale of Hollywood cinema with her talent and grace, leaving an indelible mark on American film history.