Oscar-Winning Actress Eva Marie Saint, Star of 'Exodus,' Dies at 102

Hollywood is mourning the loss of Oscar-winning actress Eva Marie Saint, who passed away overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday at the age of 102. Her family stated that she died of natural causes at her home in Los Angeles. Saint enjoyed a prolific career, appearing alongside major stars and in films directed by Ilya Kazan and Alfred Hitchcock.

Israeli audiences may remember Saint for her role in Otto Preminger's 1960 epic "Exodus," which depicted the establishment of the State of Israel. Based on Leon Uris's novel, the film featured Saint as Kitty Fremont, an American nurse who becomes involved with Ari Ben Canaan, played by Paul Newman. Parts of the production were filmed in Israel and Cyprus, and "Exodus" became one of the most iconic Hollywood films associated with Israel's founding story.

Saint had already won an Oscar before "Exodus." Her debut film role in Kazan's "On the Waterfront" (1954), where she played Edie Doyle opposite Marlon Brando, earned her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1955. The film itself garnered eight Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor.

Another highly recognized role for Saint was in Alfred Hitchcock's 1959 thriller "North by Northwest." She portrayed Eve Kendall, a mysterious character who consistently stayed ahead of the protagonist and the audience, marking one of her most memorable performances.

Despite early success, Saint chose to reduce her workload in the 1960s to focus more on her family, though she continued to act in film and television. Her roles during that decade included appearances in "A Hatful of Rain," "Raintree County," "The Prize," and "The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming." Saint remained one of the last stars from Hollywood's Golden Age until her death at 102.