Ann Blyth McNulty

Acclaimed actress and lyric soprano Ann Blyth passed away peacefully on June 24, 2026 in Rancho Santa Fe, California. She began performing on radio at age six, Broadway at age twelve, and acted in her first movie at age fourteen. She was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress as Veda in Mildred Pierce at age sixteen. She would go on to grace summer musical theater stages throughout the U.S., and star in guest roles on television series and variety shows. Ann had a remarkable performing career spanning more than 70 years.

Ann was born to Irish-Catholic immigrant parents in Mt. Kisco, New York and raised in Manhattan by Nan and Harry Blyth. She had an older sister Dorothy. Ann's father left the family when she was very young, leaving her mother to support her daughters during the difficult Great Depression years taking in laundry, sewing and working in a beauty salon while living in tenement housing. Also important in Ann's life were Aunt Cis (Catherine) and Uncle Pat Tobin. They became a great support to her when her mother passed away from cancer when Ann was just 18 years old.

Career and Accomplishments

Radio: Ann started her career at age six singing and performing various roles on national children's radio broadcast shows at NBC including Coast to Coast on a Bus and Our Barn. She attended the Professional Children's School in New York City honing her skills in singing, acting and dancing.

Broadway: When she was just 12 years old, Ann was cast in the role of Babette in Lillian Hellman's Watch on the Rhine. It was a Broadway smash. Following more than 370 performances at the Martin Beck Theatre in New York, the national touring company performed throughout the United States. A pivotal stop on the tour was in Los Angeles at the Biltmore Theater, where Ann was noticed by Universal-International Studios executives. This performance led to a screen test and ultimately, a seven-year contract with the studio by the age of fourteen.

Movies: Ann was under contract with Universal, MGM, Paramount and Warner Brothers during the Golden Age of Movies. She starred in 35 movies, working with many of Hollywood's leading men and women in dramas, musicals, comedies and biographies. She made her film debut in 1944, at age 14, starring in Chip Off the Old Block with Donald O'Connor and Peggy Ryan. Her breakthrough movie role was as Veda in Mildred Pierce at age 16. She was recognized for her contributions to the film industry with a motion picture star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Summer Musical Theater: Ann loved the opportunity to sing and act in summer musical theaters around the United States playing lead roles in The Sound of Music, Carnival, Wait Until Dark, The King & I, and Show Boat. She loved performing on stage and felt most close to the audience playing these great roles and working with the talented ensembles and live orchestras.

Television: Ann made many guest appearances in television series including Quincy, Switch, Murder She Wrote, Wagon Train, Twilight Zone and several popular variety shows.

Music Concerts: She toured for many years with her accompanist/music director Harper Mackay and performing partners Bill Hayes and Donald O'Connor singing songs from the Great American Songbook. They performed in Las Vegas, New York and California.

Ann was always grateful to hear from fans throughout the world, and she personally answered her mail. There was always a steady stream of fan mail waiting for her at the local post office.

Faith and family were most important to her. She volunteered her time, talent and treasure for many causes including Right to Life, St. Ignatius in Philadelphia, schools, special needs children and other charities. She received several recognitions for her philanthropic work.

The love of her life was Dr. James V. McNulty, a respected Los Angeles area obstetrician/ gynecologist. They were introduced by Dennis Day, Jack Benny's radio and T.V. sidekick and Jim's brother. They married in 1953, celebrating 54 years together. Jim passed away in 2007. Ann and Jim were blessed with five children: Timothy (Debbie), Maureen (Patrick Wheeler), Kathleen (Bruce Colton), Terence and Eileen.

Ann and Jim parented as a united front, valuing education, nurturing faith, instilling a strong work ethic, and topped it off with humor, fun and adventure. We were fortunate to be able to have many opportunities to discover our individual gifts and talents. The family loved biking, playing tennis, ping pong, learning musical instruments, singing, playing charades and swimming.

There were many family adventures including memorable trips to Idaho, Hawaii and San Diego. Ann even drove a large RV on one trip to Mission Bay in San Diego with the clan. Perhaps some of our best memories were created at the beach house on Capistrano Beach where friends and family would frequently gather to enjoy games, fireworks, surfing, swimming and cooking.

Christmas was always special with decorations and lights that Ann, Jim and kids artfully displayed. It was not unusual for fuses to be thrown due to the load on the system. The house was a spectacular sight for neighbors. Ann still decorated and placed lights in trees and bushes as recently as last year at her home in Rancho Santa Fe. She loved her garden and lovingly planted roses, azaleas and annuals to bring color and softness to the landscape. Ann was a prolific knitter and gave many beautiful, one-of-a-kind blankets, scarves and sweaters to family and friends. She was also a talented oil painter and loved creating treasures to give away to family and friends. It was her special way of showing love and affection.

Ann was blessed with ten grandchildren including: Shannon (Woojay Poynter), Erin, Caitlin, Brendan, Ryan (Melanie), Kevin (Raquel), Jessica (George Palazzo), Kacie, Kelly (Evan Loo) and Jimmy; and five great-grandchildren Cole and Liam Poynter (Shannon & Woojay), Roman and Hudson Palazzo (Jessica & George) and Jane Colton (Ryan & Melanie).

Her gorgeous smile and love of life will be missed! Her legacy lives on. Rest in peace!

Condolences: McNulty Family, P.O. Box 9754, Rancho Santa Fe, CA, 92067. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Scripps Foundation, San Diego or St.Ignatius Community Services, Philadelphia- https://www.sics-phila.org/