Oscar-Winner Eva Marie Saint Dies At 102

Eva Marie Saint, whose career spanned film, television, stage, and Broadway, was widely recognized for memorable performances in movies including On the Waterfront, North by Northwest, and Superman Returns. She portrayed Martha Kent, Superman’s adoptive mother, in the 2006 superhero film, which starred Brandon Routh as the Man of Steel.

According to a representative who spoke with Deadline, Saint died of natural causes at her Los Angeles home on October 6. Her family and other loved ones were with her at the time of her death.

Born on July 4, 1924, in Newark, New Jersey, Saint had already appeared in several television productions before making her feature-film debut in On the Waterfront in 1954. Her performance as Edie Doyle earned her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, making the achievement particularly notable as it came in her first feature film.

Directed by Elia Kazan, On the Waterfront starred Marlon Brando as Terry Malloy. The acclaimed crime drama won eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor for Brando, Best Director for Kazan, and Best Supporting Actress for Saint. Before her death, Saint was also regarded as the oldest living Oscar winner.

Saint continued to build her reputation with another iconic performance in Alfred Hitchcock’s 1959 thriller North by Northwest. She played Eve Kendall, a femme fatale who becomes an important part of the film’s suspenseful story alongside Cary Grant. Decades after its release, the movie remains highly regarded, with a 97% critics’ score and a 94% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Saint’s performance remains an important part of the film’s lasting legacy.

Her television career was also highly successful. Saint received five Emmy Award nominations for her work in The Philco Television Playhouse, Producers’ Showcase, How the West Was Won, Taxi!!, and People Like Us. She won Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Special for People Like Us.

In 2006, Saint appeared as Martha Kent in Superman Returns, becoming part of the long history of actors who have portrayed Superman’s adoptive mother. The role has also been played by performers including Diane Lane, Neva Howell, Katherine Callan, Annette O’Toole, Frances Conroy, Bellamy Young, Helen Slater, Kari Wahlgren, Virginia Carroll, Jennifer Hale, Phyllis Thaxter, Shelley Fabares, and Swoosie Kurtz.

Saint also contributed to another major franchise through her voice work in the Avatar universe. She voiced Katara in five episodes of The Legend of Korra, appearing across Seasons 1, 2, and 4.

Beyond her film and television achievements, Saint enjoyed a lengthy career on stage and Broadway, establishing herself as a versatile performer across multiple forms of entertainment.

Saint is survived by her two children, Darrell and Laurette; four grandchildren, Eli, Tyler, Molly, and Stella; and two great-grandchildren, Arlo and Finley.