Eva Marie Saint, one of the final surviving figures from Hollywood’s golden era of the 1940s and 1950s, has passed away at the age of 102. A family spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday that the legendary actress died from natural causes at her home in Los Angeles.
Saint enjoyed a screen career spanning six decades, marked by landmark performances in films directed by cinema titans such as Elia Kazan and Alfred Hitchcock. She first rose to prominence opposite Marlon Brando in Kazan’s gritty drama “On the Waterfront,” which earned her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Her success continued with a starring role in Alfred Hitchcock’s suspenseful thriller “North by Northwest.” Saint remained active in the industry well into the 2000s, delivering one of her most recognizable later performances as Martha Kent, Superman’s adoptive mother, in the 2006 superhero film “Superman Returns.”
I still watch North by Northwest weekly! That scene on the train is pure cinema magic. Can’t believe she made it to 102.
Just realized she lived through the entire golden age. A true legend who worked right up to Superman Returns. Rest in peace, Eva.