Celebrity Info
Maggie Blye was a character actress whose career really began to take off in the mid- to late-1960s—a time when Maggie Blye’s rising visibility gave her the kind of momentum that allowed her to stay active in Hollywood for another four decades. During that early period, Maggie Blye became a familiar face on television, particularly in the mid-‘60s, where she appeared in popular Western series like “Gunsmoke” and “The Virginian,” as well as the medical drama “Ben Casey.” It wasn’t long before she transitioned into film, with her first credited movie role being a significant part in the 1967 Western “Hombre,” starring Paul Newman. That same year, Maggie Blye co-starred in the comedy-tinged Western “Waterhole #3,” sharing the screen with James Coburn, playing the daughter of the town sheriff—a role that showcased her charm and versatility.
Interestingly, Maggie Blye would later reunite with Coburn in the gritty 1975 action film “Hard Times,” proving their on-screen chemistry held strong over the years. And speaking of full-circle moments, more than two decades after portraying Carroll O’Connor’s daughter in “Waterhole #3,” Maggie Blye took on a very different kind of relationship with him—playing his romantic interest on the acclaimed NBC crime series “In the Heat of the Night” in 1988. Over the years, Maggie Blye landed several notable roles that kept her in the public eye. She played Michael Caine’s love interest in the wildly popular 1969 heist comedy “The Italian Job,” delivered a heartfelt performance as Ms. Bright, the mother of Kristy McNichol’s character, in the 1980 coming-of-age film “Little Darlings,” and portrayed Matt Dillon’s mom in the 1982 romantic drama “Liar’s Moon.”
While much of her work in the ‘90s and into the 2000s consisted of smaller or less memorable roles across film and TV, Maggie Blye still managed to leave a mark here and there. One standout appearance came in the pilot episode of “Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman,” where she played Mrs. Platt—a small but memorable part that added depth to the show’s early episodes. All in all, Maggie Blye’s enduring presence in the entertainment industry speaks volumes about her talent and resilience, with Maggie Blye consistently finding ways to stay relevant across generations of viewers.
Margaret Blye is perhaps best known for her role in Hombre (1967), which remains her highest-rated film to date. On the other hand, Ash Wednesday (1973) is often regarded as her lowest-rated project. Over the years, fans and critics alike have pointed to these two films as representing the peaks and valleys of her career. While Hombre showcased her talent in a powerful and memorable way, Ash Wednesday didn’t quite resonate as strongly with audiences. Margaret Blye’s filmography is relatively modest in size, but these two films continue to stand out—albeit for very different reasons.
United States
