Cathy O'Donnell

Cathy O'Donnell was born Ann Steely in Alabama and grew up in Oklahoma City, where she attended high school and college. To fund her move to Hollywood, she worked as a stenographer and was soon discovered by a talent scout, leading to a contract with producer Samuel Goldwyn. Recognizing her potential despite her thick Southern accent, Goldwyn arranged for her to undergo voice and theatrical training at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and other institutions. He also gave her the Irish-sounding stage name Cathy O'Donnell and cast her in *The Best Years of Our Lives* (1946). The film's success helped launch her career, and she soon starred in the now-classic *They Live by Night* (1948). Her progress was interrupted, however, when she married 48-year-old producer Robert Wyler on April 11, 1948, at age 24. Robert was the older brother of acclaimed director William Wyler, whose recent contract with Goldwyn had ended in conflict. Enraged by the marriage, Goldwyn terminated Cathy's contract, and she never formed a lasting studio or producer affiliation afterward. During the 1950s, she appeared in several classic noir films, including *Detective Story* (1951), where her wholesome, girl-next-door image contrasted with the genre's gritty tone. Her final and most famous film was *Ben-Hur* (1959), after which she worked in television until 1961. Despite Goldwyn's disapproval, her marriage to Wyler was reportedly happy, though childless. O'Donnell died on April 11, 1970, her 22nd wedding anniversary, after a long battle with cancer.