Noreen Nash died from natural causes at home in LA (Picture: Getty)
Hollywood star Noreen Nash, best known for The Southerner, has died at the age of 99.
The actress, who starred in films in the 40s and 50, died from natural causes at her home in Beverly Hills, her oldest son Lee Siegel Jr confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter.
Nash’s first credited role was in Jean Renoir’s 1945 film The Southerner, which was nominated for three Oscars and portrayed the hardships of a poor family struggling to establish a cotton farm in Texas.
Two years after the film was released, she went on to star in Giant in which she played the film star Lona Lane, and secured leading roles in mostly B-movies.
Nash’s movie credits include Phantom from Space, We’re Not Married! The Body Beautiful before her final role in 1960, Wake Me When It’s Over.
Outside of the big screen, she appeared in TV shows including Hopalong Cassidy, The Abbott and Costello Show and 77 Sunset Strip.
Nash with Dick Sands in 1953 film Phantom From Space (Picture: United Artists/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock)
At the encouragement of her son, Nash retired from acting in 1962 and studied for a history degree from UCLA.
Nash then became a writer, penning works such as By Love Fulfilled in 1980, which was about a doctor in the 16th century.
The actress’ first marriage was with Dr Lee Siegel and they share Lee, a novelist and religion professor, and Robert, a cardiologist.
Nash with her second husband Whimore, who died in 2009 (Picture: Picture Perfect/REX/Shutterstock)
After Siegel’s death in 1990, she married actor James Whitmore in 2001, who died in 2009.
Prior to acting, Nash had a contract with MGM as a showgirl and worked alongside Marilyn Monroe as a model.
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She was born in Wenatchee to Albert, who worked in the beverage industry, and Gail, a teacher, in 1924.
In addition to her sons, her survivors include her grandchildren, Sebastian, Dmitri, John and Cara, and four great-grandchildren.
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She died from natural causes.
