Eva Marie Saint, Oscar winner and star of 'On the Waterfront' and 'North by Northwest,' dies at 102

Eva Marie Saint, a celebrated actress who earned an Academy Award for her debut film “On the Waterfront” and captivated audiences as a spy in Alfred Hitchcock's “North by Northwest,” died Tuesday at her home in Los Angeles. She was 102.

Saint's career spanned over seven decades, with her work continuing into her 90s. She made a striking entrance into Hollywood with her role as the love interest of Marlon Brando's character in the 1954 classic “On the Waterfront.” Her performance earned her an Oscar for best supporting actress. Famously, she accepted the award while pregnant with her first child, remarking, “I think I may have the baby right here.” Her son, Darrell, was born two days later.

Despite her instant stardom, Saint maintained a firm independence throughout her career, often declining studio contracts and taking time off to focus on her family. She chose roles selectively, even passing on major productions to spend time with her children, Laurette and Darrell, born in 1958 and 1954 respectively. Her husband, director Jeffrey Hayden, encouraged her to take on the role of the enigmatic spy in Hitchcock’s 1959 thriller “North by Northwest,” a performance that further cemented her status as a leading lady.

Saint also explored television, gaining renewed popularity in the 1980s for her roles as Cybill Shepherd's mother in the sitcom “Moonlighting” and Tom Hanks' mother in “Nothing in Common.” She received an Emmy Award for her role in the 1990 miniseries “People Like Us.” In the 21st century, she appeared in films such as “Because of Winn-Dixie,” “Superman Returns,” and “Winter’s Tale.” Her final credited role was in the 2021 audio play “The Bus Ride.”

Born Eva Marie Saint on July 4, 1924, in Newark, New Jersey, she initially aspired to be a teacher. However, a transformative experience in a play during her college years at Bowling Green State University led her to pursue acting. After graduation, she moved to New York City, honing her craft on radio dramas and soap operas, including a two-year stint on “One Man's Family.”

A pivotal moment in her acting development was her acceptance into the Actors Studio, where she studied under Lee Strasberg. She credited the studio with helping her overcome shyness and develop her craft.

Saint eventually transitioned to Broadway and gained significant attention for her role in “A Trip to Bountiful.” Her audition for “On the Waterfront” involved improvising a scene with Marlon Brando, a dynamic that director Elia Kazan recognized as having the necessary chemistry for the film.

She was married to Jeffrey Hayden for 55 years until his death in 2016. Hayden was a key figure in her career, often supporting her decisions to balance professional ambition with family life.