Ann Blyth, the American actress who earned an Academy Award nomination for her role as the manipulative daughter Veda Pierce in the 1945 film noir classic Mildred Pierce, has died at the age of 97. Blyth passed away on July 5, 2026, at her home in Rancho Mirage, California, according to her daughter, Maureen McNulty.
Early life and career beginnings
Born on August 16, 1928, in Mount Kisco, New York, Blyth began her career as a child singer on radio. She made her Broadway debut at age 12 in the play Watch on the Rhine. Her film career started when she signed with Universal Pictures in 1944.
Breakthrough role in Mildred Pierce
Blyth's breakout role came when she was cast as Veda Pierce in Mildred Pierce, opposite Joan Crawford. The film was a critical and commercial success, earning Crawford an Academy Award for Best Actress. Blyth received her own Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her performance. The role established her as a major Hollywood star.
Musical career and later films
After Mildred Pierce, Blyth appeared in a series of musicals, including The Great Caruso (1951) opposite Mario Lanza, and The King's Thief (1955). She also starred in the 1954 film The Student Prince, though her singing voice was dubbed. Blyth continued acting into the 1960s, appearing in films such as The Helen Morgan Story (1957) and TV series like The Love Boat.
Personal life and legacy
Blyth married Dr. James McNulty in 1953; he died in 2007. She is survived by their five children and several grandchildren. In a 2015 interview with the Hollywood Reporter, Blyth said, 'I never thought of myself as a great actress. I just did my best.' Her legacy endures as one of Hollywood's Golden Age stars.
