Eva Marie Saint, Oscar-Winning Icon of 'On the Waterfront' and 'North by Northwest,' Dies at 102

Key points

• Saint died of natural causes on October 6, 2026, at her home in Los Angeles, surrounded by family.
• She won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 1955 for her debut feature 'On the Waterfront,' opposite Marlon Brando.
• Saint became a cultural icon for her performance as Eve Kendall in Alfred Hitchcock's 1959 thriller 'North by Northwest.'
• She was the oldest living Oscar winner until her death, a status she held since Olivia de Havilland's death in 2020.
• Her career spanned over seven decades, including work in live television, Broadway, and classic cinema, with only 20 feature film credits.

Background

Saint's death marks the end of an era in Hollywood, leaving behind a legacy of enduring performances and a career that prioritized artistic integrity over mainstream stardom. She was one of the last surviving stars of the Golden Age of Hollywood, celebrated for a career that spanned over seven decades across film and television. Her passing was confirmed by her representative, who cited natural causes and noted she was surrounded by family.

How outlets are covering it

BBC and The Santa Barbara Independent confirmed Saint's death on October 6, 2026, at her Los Angeles home, surrounded by family. BBC noted she was the oldest surviving Oscar winner and one of the last remaining stars of Hollywood's golden age. The Santa Barbara Independent highlighted her Montecito residency and her choice to prioritize family over stardom, noting her agent's warning that turning down roles would prevent her from becoming a superstar. USA Today focused on her status as the oldest living Oscar winner, noting that Lee Grant is now the oldest living Oscar winner. Roger Ebert's tribute emphasized her acting technique, particularly her ability to use improvisation in 'On the Waterfront' and her 'Method Sanity' approach, contrasting her with more neurotic Method actors. Ebert also highlighted her performance in 'North by Northwest,' noting Hitchcock's attention to detail and her ability to hold her own with Cary Grant.

Why it matters

Saint's death marks the end of an era in Hollywood, leaving behind a legacy of enduring performances and a career that prioritized artistic integrity over mainstream stardom. Her passing also shifts the title of oldest living Oscar winner to Lee Grant, highlighting the dwindling number of surviving stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood.

What to watch

Lee Grant, the director, documentarian, and actor, is now the oldest living Oscar winner, according to IMDb. Estelle Parsons, 98, is the next oldest living Oscar winner after Grant. Saint's estate and family will likely announce details regarding her funeral and memorial services in the coming days.