MovieChat Forums > The Rainmaker (1997) Discussion > Teresa Wright (Miss Birdie) Dies at 86

Teresa Wright (Miss Birdie) Dies at 86

posted 20 years ago by jeanie1951
8 replies | jump to latest

NEW YORK (AFP) - Teresa Wright, who won the best supporting actress Oscar for the 1942 film "Mrs. Miniver," has died at the age of 86.

The grand dame of Hollywood, whose 60-year career included starring roles opposite Gary Cooper, Bette Davis (news) and Marlon Brando (news) and under directors Alfred Hitchcock and William Wyler, died Sunday of a heart attack in a New Haven, Connecticut hospital, according to The New York Times.

Born Muriel Teresa Wright on October 27, 1918 in New York, Wright was a proud actress who refused to take part in Hollywood publicity stunts like spreading gossip of alleged romances or posing for swimsuit pinups that would have made her a bigger star and earned her more money.

She garnered Academy Award nominations for her first three films, "The Little Foxes" (1941), "The Pride of the Yankees" (1942) and "Mrs. Miniver" (1942), finally scoring an Oscar for best supporting actress for the latter.

Wyler -- who directed Wright in "The Little Foxes" and "The Best Years of Our Lives" (1946), considered one of the finest films ever for its portrayal of soldiers returning from war to difficult lives -- called her the most promising young actress he had worked with.

She continued working well into her 70s, taking a role in Francis Ford Coppola's 1997 thriller "The Rainmaker," starring Danny DeVito (news) and Matt Damon (news).

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[–] Devans00 19 years ago

Thanks for sharing and letting us know, jeanie1951.

[–] bluestrat70 17 years ago

she was great in this movie, she played Mrs Birdie just right.
i met her several times over the last dozen years or so. my uncle married her daughter here in connecticut. she was a delightful woman and made for wonderful conversation. in fact her grandson has been producing movies for tha past 10 years. after shooting "the rainmaker" she commented that matt damon was a "charming young man."

[–] Ace_Moonshot 17 years ago

You were lucky. I envy you.

"What does it do?" Do? "It doesn't DO anything. That's the beauty of it." Jacques Heim/Louis Reard

[–] bluestrat70 17 years ago

i trust you're not being sarcastic (unfortunately some people post crap like that). i am not trying to brag just want to convey to the readers she was an interesting and down to earth person to be around.

even though she and writer bob anderson (tea and sympathy) had divorced many years ago, they both were at our house for dinner some time in 1997. they had endless stories of hollywood and broadway from years ago. i could have listened to them forever.

[–] Ace_Moonshot 17 years ago

Lord no. While I surely can be sarcastic at times and likely too often, this was not one of them. I really envy you. I've been a fan of hers forever it seems. She could really act. And the stuff she was in, and the people she worked with. Wow. I recall during the Oscars, when they do the part of remembrance of those that died during the year. I felt saddened more people did not applaud her(Not her death but her life). But I guess it was fitting. She never seemed to want to be a 'star.' Just be a great actress.

And like you, I could have listened forever too. And I still envy you. Not a squeak of sarcasm. I really do. BTW, I think she was best part of Rainmaker. I'm a Tennessean and I feel she nailed it. I was holding my hand out for her to give me a glass of ice tea.

"What does it do?" Do? "It doesn't DO anything. That's the beauty of it." Jacques Heim/Louis Reard

[–] bluestrat70 17 years ago

thanks, i appreciate the comments.

[–] mandrake62 17 years ago

I remember her most in "Shadow of a Doubt", "The Men" (opposite Marlon Brando in his first film) and "Best Years of Our Lives".

It was good to see her in Rainmaker. It had been to many years. It was a nice role and she played it perfectly.

[–] JohnnyJohnson (400) 3 months ago

She is one of my favorite actresses from the 40s. Loved her in her first 3 movies, Shadow of a Doubt and of course Best Years of Our Lives. I'm glad she came out of retirement for a final performance in Rainmaker. I watched it with my 90 y/o father and his favorite movie of all time is BYOOL, and he was so happy to see her again. RIP.