From the archives: Eva Marie Saint on why she never "went Hollywood"

Eva Marie Saint, a Hollywood icon and the oldest living Academy Award winner, has passed away at the remarkable age of 102. Born on July 19, 1919, Saint's illustrious career spanned over seven decades, during which she captivated audiences with her incredible talent.

Saint's breakthrough role came in 1954 when she portrayed Edie Doyle in "On the Waterfront," a film opposite the legendary Marlon Brando. Her performance was so outstanding that she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her first and only film role. The moment was made even more memorable as Saint was heavily pregnant with her first child, Frank Sinatra presented her with the Oscar statuette, and she jokingly remarked to the audience that she might be holding her baby in her arms.

Despite her newfound fame, Saint remained true to herself and her values. She turned down numerous lucrative projects and insisted on maintaining a work-life balance by prioritizing her children. Her husband, Jeffrey Hayden, encouraged her to accept the role of Eve Kendall in Alfred Hitchcock's "North by Northwest," a character that would become one of her most iconic performances.

Saint's selective approach to roles allowed her to continue working well into her 90s, even taking on notable television roles in the 1970s and 1980s.

Her career extended to the 21st century, with appearances in popular films such as "Because of Winn-Dixie," "Superman Returns," and "Winter's Tale." Saint's versatility and enduring presence in the entertainment industry made her a beloved figure among fans of Hollywood's Golden Age. She was married to her husband, Jeffrey Hayden, for an impressive 65 years until his passing in 2016.