Ann Marie Blyth (born August 16, 1928 in Mount Kisco, New York) is an American actress and singer, most often cast in Hollywood musicals, but who also succeeded in the dramatic roles she was given.

Blyth began her acting career as Anne Blyth, changing the spelling of her name at the beginning of her film career. Her first acting role was on Broadway in Watch on the Rhine (from 1941 until 1942). She was signed to a contract with Universal Studios, and made her film debut in Chip Off the Old Block (1944). In musical films such as Babes on Swing Steet and Bowery to Broadway (both 1944), she played the part of the sweet, and demure teenager. Her next film, on loan to Warner Brothers cast her against type, as the scheming, ungrateful daughter of Joan Crawford in Mildred Pierce (1945). Her dramatic portrayal of the spiteful Veda Pierce won her outstanding reviews, and she received a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Blyth injured her back after this film, and was not able to capitalize on its success completely although she was still able to make a few films. She played the part of Regina Hubbard in Another Part of the Forest (a 1948 prequel to The Little Foxes), and achieved success playing a mermaid in Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid (1948). Her other films include : Our Very Own (1950), The Great Caruso (1951), Rose Marie (1954), The Student Prince (1954), Kismet (1957), The Buster Keaton Story (1957) and The Helen Morgan Story .

Blyth married Dr. James McNulty in 1953 and had five children.

From the 1960s she worked in musical theater, summer stock and television. She also became the spokesperson for "Hostess Cupcakes ". Her most recent television appearances have been in episodes of Quincy (1983) and Murder, She Wrote (1985).

Ann Blyth has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her contribution to motion pictures, at 6733 Hollywood Boulevard.

Trivia

• Blyth raised eyebrows in 1954 at the Academy Awards show when she sang Doris Day's song Secret Love from Calamity Jane while seven months pregnant.

External link

• Ann Blyth tribute site
• Ann Blyth "Women's International Centre" biography and more recent photograph