Margaret ‘Maggie’ Blye, ‘Italian Job’ Actress, Dies at 73

Actress died following a two-year battle with cancer

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Actress Margaret “Maggie” Blye, whose credits included the 1969 film “The Italian Job,” “Walking Tall” and “Little Darlings,” died on March 24, a spokesperson for Blye said. She was 73.

According to the spokesperson, Blye died peacefully in her West Hollywood home following a two-year battle with cancer, with her brother and sister at her side.

Born in Houston, Blye attended the University of Texas before transferring to UCLA in her senior year. Spotted by an agent, her first role was as Dusty in the Oscar-nominated film “Summer and Smoke,” which starred Laurence Harvey and Geraldine Page.

Blye’s other big-screen credits included the Paul Newman film “Hombre,” “Hard Times” and “Ash Wednesday,” in which she played the daughter of Elizabeth Taylor‘s character.

On the television side, Blye appeared on series including “Perry Mason,” “Gunsmoke,” “The Rockford Files,” “Hart to Hart” and “Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman.”

Blye is survived by her sister, veteran casting director Judy Blye Wilson; her brother, Richard Blye; and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, people are being asked to make donations to The American Cancer Society. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, March 30 in Houston, Texas at the Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home.

A memorial to celebrate Blye’s life will be held in Los Angeles at a later date.

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