Myrna Loy

Myrna Loy was an acclaimed American film, television, and stage actress known for her versatility in screen roles. Born Myrna Adele Williams on August 2, 1905, in Helena, Montana, Loy established a successful acting career spanning from 1925 to 1982. Trained intensely as a dancer during her high school years, Loy initially entered the film industry in small roles, often being typecast as an exotic character. Her significant breakthrough came with her portrayal of Nora Charles in The Thin Man (1934), a role that tremendously boosted her reputation as a competent actress. Throughout the 1940s, Loy delivered iconic performances in films such as The Thin Man Goes Home, The Best Years of Our Lives, The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer, and Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House. In the following decades, Loy's appearances became more sporadic, ending with her retirement in 1982.

Throughout her life, Loy was highly engaged in activism and received multiple recognitions for her contribution to the industry and society. During World War II, she worked with the Red Cross and even made it to Adolf Hitler's blacklist for her outspoken views against him. Loy also dedicated her efforts to combating housing discrimination. While she was never nominated for an Academy Award for any particular role, Loy was honored in 1991 with an Honorary Academy Award in acknowledgment of her life's work, both on-screen and off. After a long, illustrious career, Loy died on December 14, 1993.