Los Angeles:Eva Marie Saint, the celebrated actress known for her roles in "On the Waterfront" and Alfred Hitchcock's "North by Northwest," has died at the age of 102. Her passing was confirmed at her Los Angeles home on Tuesday by family representative Jeff Sanderson.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Saint's illustrious career began with her memorable film debut as Edie Doyle in "On the Waterfront," for which she won an Academy Award. During the ceremony, while pregnant with her first child, she accepted the Oscar from Frank Sinatra, humorously remarking, "I think I may have the baby right here." Her son, Darrell, was born two days later.
Saint's career was characterized by selectivity, as she often turned down studio contracts and major roles to focus on her family. Despite appearing in only seven films during her first decade in Hollywood, she made significant impacts with her performances. Her husband, Jeffrey Hayden, played a pivotal role in encouraging her to accept the part in "North by Northwest."
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Saint transitioned more into television, gaining popularity in sitcoms and winning an Emmy in 1990 for "People Like Us." Her later roles included appearances in "Because of Winn-Dixie," "Superman Returns," and an audio play in 2021.
Born on July 4, 1924, in Newark, New Jersey, Saint's initial ambitions leaned toward teaching. However, her talent for acting was discovered at Bowling Green State University, leading her to pursue a career in entertainment. Her early work in radio and television set the stage for a successful Hollywood career.
Saint credited her development as an actress to Lee Strasberg at the Actors Studio, which helped her overcome personal shyness. Despite early setbacks, such as not replacing Jocelyn Brando in "Mister Roberts," she persevered and eventually made her Broadway debut in "A Trip to Bountiful."
Saint's legacy is marked by her dedication to her craft and her ability to balance a successful career with her personal life. She was married to Jeffrey Hayden for 65 years until his passing in 2016.