Eva Marie Saint, a delicate and slender actress who earned an Academy Award for her debut film, “On the Waterfront,” and starred alongside Cary Grant in Alfred Hitchcock’s thriller “North by Northwest,” has passed away at the age of 102.
Saint, who continued acting well into her 90s, passed away at her residence in Los Angeles, as confirmed by family representative Jeff Sanderson.
Her remarkable Hollywood debut as the romantic interest of Marlon Brando’s troubled Terry Malloy in “On the Waterfront” catapulted her to stardom. Saint made a memorable appearance at the Academy Awards, where, pregnant with her first child, she humorously mentioned the possibility of going into labor during her acceptance speech. Her son, Darrell, was born just two days after the ceremony.
Despite her instant success following the 1954 film, Saint surprised Hollywood by opting for independence over lucrative studio contracts. She turned down multiple high-profile roles to focus on motherhood, welcoming her daughter, Laurette, in 1958.
Throughout her initial decade in Hollywood, Saint appeared in only seven films, rejecting offers for prestigious productions like “The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit” and “Summer and Smoke.” Her husband, Jeffrey Hayden, a television and stage director, played a pivotal role in convincing her to star in Hitchcock’s “North by Northwest.”
Transitioning to television in the 1970s, Saint experienced a resurgence in the 1980s with roles in popular shows like “Moonlighting” and films like “Nothing in Common.” Her career extended into the 21st century with appearances in movies such as “Superman Returns” and “Winter’s Tale.”
Married to Hayden for 65 years until his passing in 2016, Saint, born on July 4, 1924, in Newark, N.J., originally aspired to become a teacher. However, her passion for acting blossomed during her university years, leading her to a successful acting career both on stage and screen.
Saint’s journey through the Actors Studio and her collaboration with Elia Kazan were pivotal in shaping her career. She credited her acting coach, Lee Strasberg, for helping her overcome her shyness and hone her craft.
Eva Marie Saint’s legacy as an accomplished actress and advocate for organized labor will endure, leaving a lasting impact on generations of union members.
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