Myrna Loy

A Myrna Loy Biography: Part 2

Major Myrna

Myrna Loy gave up acting during World War II in order to dedicate herself to the war effort through the Red Cross. Myrna helped run a Naval Auxilary Canteen, sold war bonds, and toured to raise funds.  

Following the war she was cast in a series of successful films beginning with the Academy Award winning The Best Years of Our Lives, as well as the The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer and five Thin Man sequels. After the 1950's Myrna began to appear less frequently on screen and in 1963 she returned where she first began: the stage.

Before Angelina There Was Myrna

Myrna Loy was the first celebrity to become a member of the U.S. National Commission for UNESCO. Throughout the years Myrna constantly remained dedicated to her activist efforts, particularily those concerning civil rights.

In 1987 her autobiography, Myrna Loy: Being and Becoming was published and the following year she was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Kennedy Center.

Though not one of her performances in the 129 films she made was nominated for an Oscar, Myrna did receive an Honorary Academy Award for Career Achievement in 1991. Unable to attend in person, Myrna thanked the public via satellite from her home in New York. This was Myrna's last public appearance.


After a long battle with breast cancer Myrna died during surgery on December 14, 1993. Her body was creamated and her ashes interred at Forestvale Cemetary in Helena, Montana.