Cathy O'Donnell

Actress Cathy O'Donnell (born Ann Steely July 6, 1923 - April 11, 1970) began her career on stage. She was born in Siluria, Alabama. She attended Oklahoma City University and studied drama at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts before her career on stage and then movies. She was under contract with Samuel Goldwyn for her first film The Best Years of Our Lives (1946), playing Wilma Cameron, a high school sweetheart of double amputee. She was loaned out to RKO for one of her most memorable films, They Live by Night (1947) with Farley Granger. Granger and O'Donnell reteamed for the Anthony Mann-directed 1950 movie, Side Street. At age 23, she married 48-year-old Robert Wyler, older brother of director William Wyler. O'Donnell also appeared in Ben-Hur (1959) as Charlton Heston's younger sister Tirzah. Cathy O'Donnell died of a cerebral hemorrhage brought on by cancer at the age of 46, on her 22nd wedding anniversary.

Related Topics:
July 6 - 1923 - April 11 - 1970 - Siluria, Alabama - Oklahoma City University - American Academy of Dramatic Arts - Samuel Goldwyn - The Best Years of Our Lives - 1946 - RKO - They Live by Night - 1947 - Farley Granger - Anthony Mann - Side Street - William Wyler - Ben-Hur - 1959 - Charlton Heston - Cerebral hemorrhage - Cancer

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