Theater News

Oscar Nominee Betsy Blair Dies at 85

Stage and film actress Betsy Blair, who received an Oscar nomination for the film Marty, has died at age 85, according to The Guardian.

Blair’s Broadway credits included Panama Hattie, The Beautiful People, the original production of The Glass Menagerie (in which she understudied the role of Laura), and Richard III.

Her many film and television credits included Another Part of the Forest, Othello, All Night Long, A Delicate Balance, and Betrayed. She also appeared in television versions of such plays as Come Back Little Sheba, Death of a Salesman, and Summer and Smoke.

Blair was married to actor Gene Kelly from 1940-1957, until they divorced, and then to director Karel Reisz, from 1963 until his death in 2002. She is survived by her daughter Kerry Kelly Novick and stepsons Matthew, Toby, and Barney Reisz.