Myrna Loy, born Myrna Adele Williams on August 2, 1905, in Helena, Montana, was an American film, television, and stage actress. She was known for her ability to adapt to her screen partner's acting style, which made her a versatile actress adept at both drama and comedy.

Her career began in the late 1920s with small roles in silent films, and she quickly gained recognition for her performances in exotic roles, often as a vamp or a woman of Asian descent. Her breakthrough came with her portrayal of Nora Charles in "The Thin Man" (1934), a role she reprised five more times, solidifying her reputation as a talented actress.

Her 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."

In the 1950s, she appeared in a lead role in the comedy "Cheaper by the Dozen" (1950) and supporting roles in "The Ambassador's Daughter" (1956) and the drama "Lonelyhearts" (1958). She retired from acting in 1982 after appearing in eight films between 1960 and 1981.

Myrna Loy was never nominated for an Academy Award. However, in March 1991, she received an Honorary Academy Award in recognition of her life's work both onscreen and off, including her service as assistant to the director of military and naval welfare for the Red Cross during World War II and as a member-at-large of the U.S. Commission to UNESCO. Loy passed away on December 14, 1993, in New York City at the age of 88.

Off-screen, she was known for her glamorous lifestyle and her ability to charm audiences with her wit and elegance. She was often referred to as "The Queen of Hollywood" and "The Perfect Wife."

Her personal life included five marriages, with her husbands being Arthur Hornblow Jr., John Hertz Jr., Gene Markey, Howland H. Sargeant, and her final marriage to British barrister Lord John Hertz.