Myrna Loy.

Myrna Adele Williams

Myrna Loy — Actor

Born 2 Aug 1905 Helena, United States

Died 14 Dec 1993 New York City, United States

Citizenship United States

Would Be 120 yr If Living

19 min read

Reading time

3,617

Words

Jun 28, 2026

Published

168

Film credits

4

Awards

TL;DR

Myrna Loy, born Myrna Adele Williams in 1905, started as a silent film vamp and became a star as Nora Charles in The Thin Man 1934. A 1936 national poll named her Queen of the Movies. She earned an honorary Academy Award in 1991. With 129 films, she was one of the few stars to work in both silent and sound eras.

Identity & family.

KIN · 4

Names, aliases, and relatives of Myrna Loy — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Birth Name Myrna Adele Williams

Nicknames Queen of Hollywood, The Perfect Wife, Queen of the Movies, Minnie

Aliases Mirna Loy

Spouses: Howland Hill Sargeant Gene Markey John Daniel Hertz Jr. Arthur Hornblow Jr.

At a glance.

STATS

Myrna Loy by the numbers — life, work, and family.

88 Years lived

168 Film credits

4 Awards

4 Marriages

Who was Myrna Loy?

BIOGRAPHY

Myrna Loy — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

Myrna Loy was born in Helena, Montana on August 2, 1905, to David Franklin Williams, the youngest man ever elected to the Montana State Legislature. She spent her early years on a cattle ranch in Radersburg before her father died of influenza in 1918, prompting the family to move to Los Angeles. Educated at Westlake School for Girls, she caught the acting bug at age 12 by choreographing a dance at Helena’s Marlow Theater. By 15, she was appearing in local stage productions at Grauman’s Theater to help support her family.

A fateful performance caught the attention of Mrs. Rudolph Valentino, who pulled strings to get Loy screen tests. Though her first test for Valentino’s Cobra 1925 failed, she soon landed small film roles, beginning with What Price Beauty? 1925.

Career

In her early career, Myrna Loy was typecast as an exotic femme fatale in silent films like Satan in Sables 1925, which earned her a Warner Bros. contract. She transitioned to sound films easily, but signing with MGM transformed her career. In 1934, she starred as Nora Charles opposite William Powell in The Thin Man, a role that defined her career and spawned five sequels. Her witty portrayal made her a box-office draw, and in 1936 a national poll named her Queen of the Movies, with Clark Gable as King.

During World War II, Loy all but abandoned acting to work with the Red Cross, appearing in only one Thin Man sequel before returning to Hollywood. She returned with a leading role in The Best Years of Our Lives 1946, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture. She then starred with Cary Grant in The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer 1947 and Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House 1948. Through the 1950s, she continued acting but took on fewer roles, with a hit in Cheaper by the Dozen 1950. Later she acted on television and in the film Summer Solstice 1981.

Personal life

Myrna Loy married four times: producer Arthur Hornblow Jr. 1936-1942, businessman John Daniel Hertz Jr. 1942-1944, screenwriter Gene Markey 1946-1950, and attorney Howland Hill Sargeant 1951-1960. She had no children from any marriage. In 1960, she moved to Manhattan, where she lived until her death in 1993.

A lifelong Democrat, Loy campaigned for John F. Kennedy in 1960 and later fought California Governor Ronald Reagan over open-housing legislation. She served on the National Committee Against Discrimination in Housing and organized opposition to the House Un-American Activities Committee. She was a close friend of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, whom she met at the White House early in Franklin D. Roosevelt’s administration.

Legacy

Myrna Loy is remembered for her intelligence and grace on screen, making her a lasting star. In the 1930s, her profile was the most requested by women from plastic surgeons. She received the Kennedy Center Honors in 1988 and an honorary Academy Award in 1991, accepted via satellite from her Manhattan apartment. A building at Sony Pictures Studios is named in her honor, and a statue of her stands at Venice High School in Los Angeles, where she once studied.

Loy is most famous for her role as Nora Charles in the Thin Man series, which defined the witty, independent wife archetype. She appeared in 129 films, reflecting her enduring appeal.

Filmography.

FILMS · 168

The complete filmography of Myrna Loy — every film, TV show, and documentary credit, ranked by popularity.

TV

Columbo

1971
TV

The Mike Douglas Show

1961
TV

Ironside

1967
TV

The Virginian

1962
TV

American Experience

1988
TV

Hot in Cleveland

2010
TV

The Merv Griffin Show

1962
TV

What's My Line?

1950
TV

V Graham Norton

2002
TV

Family Affair

1966
TV

The DuPont Show with June Allyson

1959
TV

The Kennedy Center Honors

1978
TV

The American Film Institute Salute To

1973
Movie

Airport 1975

1974

Showing 14 of 168 View all 168 films

Awards & honors.

AWARDS · 4

Every award, honor, and recognition received by Myrna Loy — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.

Kennedy Center Honors
Academy Honorary Award
star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
National Board of Review Award for Career Achievement

Notable quotes.

QUOTES · 10

A wall of memorable lines from Myrna Loy — lyrics, interviews, and off-the-cuff remarks captured over a lifetime.

Life Is Not a Having and a Getting, but a Being and a Becoming.
I Was a Homely Kid with Freckles That Came Out Every Spring and Stuck on Me Till Christmas.
I Was Glamorous Because of Magicians Like George J. Folsey, James Wong Howe, Oliver Marsh, Ray June, and All Those Other Great Cinematographers. I Trusted Those Men and the Other Experts Who Made Us Beautiful. the Rest of It I Didn’t Give a Damn About. I Didn’t Fuss About My Clothes, My Lighting, or Anything Else, But, Believe Me, Some of Them Did.
I Decided to Visit a Plastic Surgeon. David Selznick Used to Rag Me About My Ears, Since Women Were Wearing Their Hair Swept up in Empire Variations Then. Oh, Myrna, He’d Say, You’d Look Wonderful with Your Hair Up, but You’ve Got to Fix Those Ears. I Made an Appointment as Marjorie Williams, Thinking the Doctor Wouldn’t Recognize Me. It Seems Incredible, I Know, but I Had Very Little Ego at That Time. After I Explained the Problem, He Said, Let’s Take Some Pictures and See What Can Be Done. He Photographed Me from Every Conceivable Angle: Left Side, Right Side, Front and Back, Even Getting up on a Chair to Shoot Down at Me. I Thought He Was Being Unusually Thorough. Well, He Disclosed Finally, I’ve Got Your Nose, Miss Loy. That Son of a Gun Knew Me All Along, and Intended to Make a Fortune on It. I Get so Many Requests for a ‘Myrna Loy Nose’ These Pictures Will Be Invaluable to Me, He Explained. so I Really Shouldn’t Charge You to Fix Your Ears. I Laughed and Told Him I’d Think It Over, but Never Went Back.
When He Died, at Ninety-one, I Was One of the First People Mousie Called. for Weeks Afterward, Friends Wrote and Telephoned Condolences, as If I Had Lost a Husband. Well, Our Screen Partnership Lasted Thirteen Years Through Fourteen Pictures, Longer Than Any of My Marriages. to This Day, Forty Years After Our Last Appearance Together, People Consider Us a Couple. I Never Enjoyed My Work More Than with Bill. He Was a Brilliant Actor, a Delightful Companion, a Great Friend, And, Above All, a True Gentleman, with Those Often Attributed but Seldom Possessed Qualities: Great Style, Class, Breeding. There’s Nobody Like Him. There’s Never Going to Be Anybody Quite Like Him. I Miss Him More Than I Can Say.
My Parents Were More Liberal Than Most People from Montana. My Family Was Always Involved in Politics. I Think All Decent Families Should Be.
William Powell Had That Marvelous Subtlety That Was so Compatible with My Style of Acting. He Was a Very Witty Man, a Great Wit, and Knew How to Use It.
Initially in the Movies, They Cast Me as an Exotic. I Had Kind of Slitty Eyes. I Didn’t Mind. I Thought It Was Wonderful. the More Exotic It Was, the More It Fit in with My Background as a Dancer. I Certainly Didn’t Look Like Myrna Williams from Helena, Montana.
I Had Never Been Considered Funny. Oh, No! I Was Deadly Serious. I Was Terribly Serious. I Must Have Been a Bore for Some People.
You Know, the Truth Was, I Wasn’t the Perfect Wife in the Movies. I Was the Wife Everyone Wanted, but Not the Quintessential Wife. I Was Someone Fun to Be Around, Not the Woman in the Apron. Now, Don’t You Think That’s so Much Better?

Did you know?

FACTS · 50

Little-known facts about Myrna Loy — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

Famed outlaw John Dillinger was supposedly her favorite star, coming out of hiding to see Manhattan Melodrama 1934 and getting gunned down by police upon leaving the theater.
She appeared in the first feature film with synchronized sound Don Juan, 1926 and the first with audible dialog The Jazz Singer, 1927.
Her father named her after a small train station called Myrna that he passed in early 1905.
A cast of her handprint and signature are in the sidewalk in front of Theater 80 on St. Mark’s Place in New York City.
At the 1985 Academy Lifetime Tribute, Burt Reynolds said he wished he’d been born earlier but didn’t think he was a good enough actor to appear opposite her.
In 1939, her horse bolted during filming of The Rains Came 1939 with Tyrone Power, nearly killing her.
She moved to Manhattan in 1960 and lived there until her death in 1993.
In a 1936 national poll, Myrna was named Queen of the Movies and Clark Gable King, winning a crown of tin and purple velvet.
She underwent two mastectomies after being diagnosed with breast cancer twice.
Her profile was the most requested in the 1930s by women to their plastic surgeons.
The statue outside Venice High School bearing her likeness is titled Inspiration and has been vandalized for decades, now surrounded by a fence.
She attended Venice High School, where a statue of her stands on the front lawn; the school was featured in films like Grease and American History X.
Her final public appearance was in 1991 at the 63rd Academy Awards via satellite from her Manhattan apartment, where she received a lifetime achievement award.
Counting her cameo in The Senator Was Indiscreet 1947, Loy co-starred with William Powell 14 times, including all Thin Man films.
Some of her biggest fans included James Stewart, Winston Churchill, and the Roosevelts; Franklin D. Roosevelt invited her to the White House.
She received an honorary Academy Award in 1991, never having been nominated for a competitive acting Oscar.
After graduating high school in 1923, she danced in the chorus during the prologue for The Ten Commandments at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre.
Her father died in the 1918 Spanish Flu epidemic, prompting the move to LA.
Outspoken against Adolf Hitler during the war, she appeared on his blacklist.
She appeared in two Best Picture Oscar winners: The Great Ziegfeld 1936 and The Best Years of Our Lives 1946.
The statue of her at Venice High School, made years before her film career, was modeled when she was 16, long before she became a celebrity.
During World War II, she joined the Hollywood Chapter of Bundles for Bluejackets, helping run a Naval Auxiliary Canteen.
Loy and Cary Grant co-starred in three feature films: Wings in the Dark 1935, The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer 1947, and Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House 1948.
Loy and Clark Gable co-starred in seven feature films, including Manhattan Melodrama 1934 and Test Pilot 1938.
A building at Sony Pictures Studios formerly MGM in Culver City is named in her honor.
She considered The Best Years of Our Lives 1946 her favorite film and the homecoming scene with Fredric March her favorite scene.
Her father, at age 21, was the youngest man ever elected to the Montana State Legislature.
She made her Broadway debut in the 1973 revival of The Women.
She was Co-Chairman of the Advisory Council of the National Committee against discrimination in housing, exposing segregation in federal projects.
She organized opposition to the House Unamerican Activities Committee in Hollywood.
Contrary to some reports, she was born in a hospital in Helena, not at her family’s ranch.
In 1923, photographer Henry Waxman showed her pictures to Rudolph Valentino, who arranged a screen test for Cobra 1925 that she failed.
She turned down the role of Ellie Andrews in It Happened One Night 1934, which went to Claudette Colbert for an Oscar.
Men-Must-Marry-Myrna Clubs formed due to her portrayal as The Perfect Wife in The Best Years of Our Lives 1946.
In 1960, she campaigned for John F. Kennedy and later battled California Governor Ronald Reagan over open-housing legislation.
William Powell’s nickname for her was Minnie.
She enrolled at Venice High School, which later named its annual speech and drama awards the Myrnas.
She was considered for the title role in Mildred Pierce 1945.
Her hobbies included sculpting and dancing.
She became a founder member of the American Place Theatre, a nonprofit to help new writers.
Her mother, Della Williams, was a talented pianist who encouraged her interest in the arts.
For five years 1949-1954, she served as a film advisor for UNESCO.
The name change from Williams to Loy was suggested by pulp writer Paul Cain aka Peter Ruric.
She was a member of New York’s St. Paul’s Methodist Church.
A poem called Montana Women was read at the celebration of her 86th birthday.
She appeared in staged prologues at Grauman’s Egyptian Theatre before her film roles, including for The Ten Commandments and The Thief of Bagdad.
She spent her early years in Helena, Montana, hometown also shared with Gary Cooper.
A devout Democrat and feminist, she later dismissed her pre-Civil Rights film Ham and Eggs at the Front 1927 as shameful.
She made her stage debut at age twelve at Helena’s old Marlow Theater with a dance based on The Blue Bird.
She was a recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Kennedy Center in 1988.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 48

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Myrna Loy.

When was Myrna Loy born?

Myrna Loy was born on August 2, 1905. She was born in Helena, Montana, at a hospital, not at her family’s ranch as some sources report.
Where was Myrna Loy born?

Myrna Loy was born in Helena, Montana, USA. She spent her early childhood on a cattle ranch in Radersburg before moving to Los Angeles after her father’s death.
When did Myrna Loy die?

Myrna Loy died on December 14, 1993. She passed away in New York City at the age of 88 from complications following surgery.
How old was Myrna Loy when she died?

Myrna Loy was 88 years old at the time of her death. She was born in 1905 and died in 1993.
Where did Myrna Loy die?

Myrna Loy died in New York City, New York. She had lived in Manhattan since 1960.
How did Myrna Loy die?

Myrna Loy died from complications resulting from surgery. She had been in declining health but remained active until her final years.
What was Myrna Loy's real name?

Myrna Loy’s birth name was Myrna Adele Williams. She changed her last name to Loy early in her career, a suggestion from writer Paul Cain.
What was Myrna Loy's occupation?

Myrna Loy was primarily an actress, but she also worked as a soundtrack artist for her films. She appeared in 129 motion pictures over a career spanning more than 50 years.
What nationality was Myrna Loy?

Myrna Loy was American. She was born in Montana and held United States citizenship throughout her life.
What language did Myrna Loy speak?

Myrna Loy’s native language was English. She never worked in any other language films.
Who was Myrna Loy married to?

Myrna Loy was married four times: to Arthur Hornblow Jr. 1936-1942, John Daniel Hertz Jr. 1942-1944, Gene Markey 1946-1950, and Howland Hill Sargeant 1951-1960. None of her marriages produced children.
Where did Myrna Loy go to school?

Myrna Loy attended the Westlake School for Girls now Harvard-Westlake School and later Venice High School in Los Angeles. A statue of her stands on the lawn of Venice High School.
What awards did Myrna Loy win?

Myrna Loy received the Kennedy Center Honors in 1988, an honorary Academy Award in 1991, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and the National Board of Review Award for Career Achievement.
How many awards did Myrna Loy receive?

Myrna Loy won at least four major lifetime achievement awards, including the Academy Honorary Award and Kennedy Center Honors. She was never nominated for a competitive Oscar.
What is Myrna Loy best known for?

Myrna Loy is best known for playing Nora Charles in the Thin Man series opposite William Powell. She also starred in classics like The Best Years of Our Lives 1946 and The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer 1947.
How tall was Myrna Loy?

Myrna Loy stood 5 feet 6 inches 1.68 m tall. Her height fit the glamorous roles she played in Hollywood.
Why was Myrna Loy called 'Queen of the Movies' and 'The Perfect Wife'?

A 1936 national poll named her Queen of the Movies, with Clark Gable as king. Her portrayal of supportive wives in films like The Best Years of Our Lives earned her the nickname The Perfect Wife.
Did Myrna Loy use any other professional names?

Early in her career, Myrna Loy was sometimes credited as Mirna Loy due to a misspelling. She eventually settled on Myrna Loy as her stage name.
Did Myrna Loy have children?

No, Myrna Loy did not have any children. She was married four times but never had offspring.
Did Myrna Loy have siblings?

Yes, Myrna Loy had one sibling, a younger brother named David Frederick Williams. He was born after the family moved to Montana.
Who were Myrna Loy's parents?

Myrna Loy’s parents were Adele Mae Johnson and David Franklin Williams. Her father was the youngest man ever elected to the Montana State Legislature and owned a cattle ranch.
What was Myrna Loy's connection to gangster John Dillinger?

John Dillinger was supposedly Myrna Loy’s biggest fan. He came out of hiding to see her film Manhattan Melodrama 1934 and was gunned down by police as he left the theater.
How many films did Myrna Loy appear in?

Myrna Loy appeared in a total of 129 motion pictures over her career. This includes silent films, early talkies, and later television work.
What did Myrna Loy do during World War II?

During World War II, Myrna Loy largely abandoned her acting career to focus on the war effort. She worked with the Red Cross, helped run a Naval Auxiliary Canteen, and went on fundraising tours.
Why was Myrna Loy on Adolf Hitler's blacklist?

Myrna Loy was outspoken against Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany during the war. As a result, she was placed on Hitler’s personal blacklist.
What is the significance of the statue of Myrna Loy at Venice High School?

The statue at Venice High School, titled Inspiration, was modeled when Myrna Loy was just 16 years old, years before her film career. It has been a target of pranks and vandalism for decades.
Did Myrna Loy ever win an Academy Award?

Myrna Loy never won a competitive Academy Award, but she received an honorary Oscar in 1991 for lifetime achievement. She accepted it via satellite from her Manhattan apartment.
Who were Myrna Loy's frequent co-stars?

Myrna Loy frequently co-starred with William Powell 14 films, Clark Gable 7 films, and Cary Grant 3 films. Her chemistry with Powell in the Thin Man series is legendary.
What was Myrna Loy's role in the 1946 film The Best Years of Our Lives?

In The Best Years of Our Lives 1946, Myrna Loy played Milly Stephenson, the wife of Fredric March’s character. She considered it her favorite film and the homecoming scene her favorite scene.
How did Myrna Loy receive her honorary Oscar in 1991?

Myrna Loy was unable to travel to Hollywood for the 1991 Academy Awards due to health issues. The Academy arranged a live satellite link to her Manhattan apartment, where she appeared on screen to accept the award.
What was Myrna Loy's favorite film?

Myrna Loy stated that her favorite film was The Best Years of Our Lives 1946. She also said the homecoming scene with Fredric March was her favorite scene.
Did Myrna Loy have any hobbies?

Yes, Myrna Loy enjoyed sculpting and dancing. She choreographed a dance as a child and later studied sculpting as a hobby.
What was Myrna Loy's involvement in politics?

Myrna Loy was a devout Democrat and feminist. She campaigned for John F. Kennedy in 1960, opposed Ronald Reagan’s open-housing policies, and served on the National Committee Against Discrimination in Housing.
How many times was Myrna Loy married?

Myrna Loy was married four times. Her husbands were Arthur Hornblow Jr., John Daniel Hertz Jr., Gene Markey, and Howland Hill Sargeant. All marriages ended in divorce.
What was Myrna Loy's first film?

Myrna Loy’s first film was a small part in What Price Beauty? 1925. Later that year, she appeared in Pretty Ladies 1925 alongside Joan Crawford.
Did Myrna Loy ever work with director John Ford?

Yes, Myrna Loy worked with John Ford on the film The Last Hurrah 1958. She also appeared in many other notable films directed by other greats.
What was Myrna Loy's nickname among friends?

Her frequent co-star William Powell called her Minnie. She was also known as The Perfect Wife due to her on-screen persona.
Where is Myrna Loy buried?

Myrna Loy was buried in Helena, Montana, her birthplace. Her funeral was a private affair, and she rests there alongside her family.
What building is named after Myrna Loy?

A building at Sony Pictures Studios formerly MGM Studios in Culver City, California, is named the Myrna Loy Building in her honor.
Did Myrna Loy ever appear on Broadway?

Yes, Myrna Loy made her Broadway debut in the 1973 revival of The Women. It was one of her few stage appearances.
What was Myrna Loy's involvement with UNESCO?

For five years, from 1949 to 1954, Myrna Loy served as a film advisor for UNESCO, helping promote cultural exchange through cinema.
What was the role that made Myrna Loy a star?

The role of Nora Charles in The Thin Man 1934 made Myrna Loy a star. Her witty, no-nonsense portrayal defined her career and led to five sequels.
Did Myrna Loy ever win an Oscar for Best Actress?

No, Myrna Loy was never nominated for an acting Oscar. However, she received an honorary Academy Award in 1991 for her lifetime contributions to film.
What was Myrna Loy's early career like?

Myrna Loy started in silent films, often playing exotic femme fatales and vamps. She struggled to escape typecasting until she signed with MGM in the early 1930s.
What was Myrna Loy's relationship with Clark Gable?

Myrna Loy and Clark Gable co-starred in seven films. Initially, she did not get along with him, but they later became good friends, even being crowned King and Queen of the Movies in 1936.
Did Myrna Loy turn down any famous roles?

Yes, Myrna Loy turned down the role of Ellie Andrews in It Happened One Night 1934. The part went to Claudette Colbert, who won an Oscar for her performance.
What was Myrna Loy's final film?

Myrna Loy’s last film was Summer Solstice 1981. Her final acting credit was a guest spot on the TV show Love, Sidney in 1982.
What was Myrna Loy's role in the American Place Theatre?

Myrna Loy was a founding member of the American Place Theatre, a nonprofit in New York dedicated to developing new playwrights. She supported it financially and artistically.

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Audited & updated by

If something's wrong in a profile, Daniel will find it. With 7 years of research experience, he's developed an almost unreasonable eye for inaccurate career timelines, misattributed credits, and dates that don't quite add up. He doesn't publish anything he can't verify. The profiles on Famousy are as accurate as they are largely because of work you'll never see his name on.

Published on June 28, 2026

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