Who was Myrna Loy?

Myrna Loy (August 2, 1905 – December 14, 1993) was an American film, television and stage actress. Trained as a dancer, Loy devoted herself fully to an acting career following a few minor roles in silent films. She was originally typecast in exotic roles, often as a vamp or a woman of Asian descent, but her career prospects improved greatly following her portrayal of Nora Charles in "The Thin Man" (1934).

Born in Helena, Montana, Loy was raised in rural Radersburg during her early childhood, before relocating to Los Angeles with her mother in her early adolescence. There, she began studying dance, and trained extensively throughout her high school education. She was discovered by production designer Natacha Rambova, who helped facilitate film auditions for her, and she began obtaining small roles in the late 1920s, mainly portraying vamps. Her role in "The Thin Man" helped elevate her reputation as a versatile actress, and she reprised the role of Nora Charles five more times.

Loy's performances peaked in the 1940s, with films like "The Thin Man Goes Home", "The Best Years of Our Lives", "The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer", and "Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House". She appeared in only a few films in the 1950s, including a lead role in the comedy "Cheaper by the Dozen" (1950), as well as supporting parts in "The Ambassador's Daughter" (1956) and the drama "Lonelyhearts" (1958). She appeared in only eight films between 1960 and 1981, after which she retired from acting.