Hollywood has lost one of its last remaining stars from the Golden Age of cinema. Ann Blyth, the Oscar-nominated actress best known for portraying the manipulative Veda Pierce opposite Joan Crawford in the 1945 classic Mildred Pierce, has died at the age of 98. According to KABC entertainment reporter George Pennacchio, Blyth passed away peacefully of natural causes on Wednesday, just weeks before what would have been her 99th birthday. Blyth’s career began remarkably early. Born Anne Blythe in Mount Kisco, New York, in 1928, she entered show business as a child, performing on radio at just six years old before making her Broadway debut at the age of 12. After relocating to Los Angeles during a touring production of Watch on the Rhine, she signed with Universal Pictures and soon began building an impressive film career.
Her breakthrough arrived while she was still a teenager when Warner Bros. borrowed her from Universal to play Veda Pierce, the spoiled and manipulative daughter of Joan Crawford’s title character in Mildred Pierce. The unforgettable performance earned Blyth an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress and established her as one of Hollywood’s brightest young talents.
Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, Blyth appeared in numerous films across multiple genres. Some of her best-known credits include Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid, Babes on Swing Street, Rose Marie, The Great Caruso, Kismet and The Helen Morgan Story. In recognition of her contribution to the entertainment industry, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960.
Although she gradually stepped away from films, Blyth continued acting on television for several years. Her final screen appearances came during the 1980s, including roles in Quincy, M.E. and the beloved mystery series Murder, She Wrote.
Away from the spotlight, Blyth shared a long marriage with physician Dr. James McNulty. The couple married in 1953 and remained together until his death in 2007. They had five children, along with ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Pennacchio also remembered Blyth for her generosity beyond Hollywood, noting that she personally answered fan mail and devoted much of her retirement to gardening, knitting and oil painting, often gifting her artwork to friends and family.
Following the news of her passing, actress Illeana Douglas paid tribute on social media, calling Blyth’s performance in Mildred Pierce iconic and recalling how kind she was while they spent time together during a TCM cruise.
With Ann Blyth’s passing, Hollywood says goodbye to one of the final surviving stars who helped define an unforgettable era of American cinema. Her remarkable performances and graceful legacy continue to inspire generations of film lovers.