• Eva Marie Saint, celebrated actress known for her roles in 'On the Waterfront' and 'North by Northwest,' has passed away at the age of 102.
• She died of natural causes at her home in Los Angeles, surrounded by family.
• Saint received an Academy Award for her film debut in 'On the Waterfront' and was known for her independent spirit in Hollywood.
• Her career spanned over six decades, with significant work in both film and television.
• Saint was married to director Jeffrey Hayden for 65 years until his death in 2016.

Eva Marie Saint, a celebrated actress known for her iconic roles in classics such as "On the Waterfront" and "North by Northwest," passed away at the age of 102. Her publicist confirmed that she died of natural causes at her home in Los Angeles, surrounded by family and loved ones, marking the end of a remarkable career that spanned more than six decades according to Los Angeles Times, CBS News, NPR, and Le Monde.

Saint gained fame with her Oscar-winning performance in Elia Kazan's "On the Waterfront" (1954), where she played Edie Doyle, the love interest of Marlon Brando's character. The role helped her earn one of the film's eight Academy Awards; notably, she accepted the honor while pregnant, humorously noting, "I think I may have the baby right here," just two days before the birth of her son, Darrell, according to Los Angeles Times and CBS News.

Throughout her career, Saint demonstrated remarkable selectivity in her roles, often prioritizing family over Hollywood's demands. After marrying director Jeffrey Hayden in 1951, she chose to limit her film appearances to allow time for her two children, reflecting her belief in balancing family with her artistic pursuits. "I can't. I can only do one a year, if that," she recalled in a 2014 interview, discussing her decision to turn down numerous opportunities, according to NPR and Le Monde.

Beyond "On the Waterfront," her career highlights included starring in Alfred Hitchcock's "North by Northwest" (1959), where she played Eve Kendall, a role that required her to embody both charm and cunning. Saint's performance alongside Cary Grant showcased her versatility as an actress. Hitchcock famously advised her to "lower your voice, don't use your hands, and look directly into Cary Grant's eyes at all times," she recalled fondly, demonstrating her commitment to the craft, as highlighted by Los Angeles Times and CBS News.

Saint's contributions to television were also significant, with notable performances in projects like the 1990 miniseries "People Like Us," for which she won an Emmy Award, and a memorable role in the sitcom "Moonlighting" during the 1980s. Her later works included appearances in films like "Superman Returns" (2006) and "Because of Winn-Dixie" (2005), which kept her career relevant well into her 90s, according to NPR and Le Monde.

Born on July 4, 1924, in Newark, New Jersey, Saint's journey to fame began with her education at Bowling Green State University and training at the Actors Studio in New York. After initial struggles in her early career, she soared to prominence through a combination of talent and perseverance, eventually becoming one of Hollywood's legendary figures, as noted by Los Angeles Times, CBS News, NPR, and Le Monde.