Anna Eileen Herbert, later known as Eileen Heckart, was born on March 29, 1919, in Columbus, Ohio. She was an only child, and her parents separated when she was just two years old. Her mother, an alcoholic, married five times, and Heckart was often shuttled off to stay with her stern and physically abusive grandmother.
Heckart's childhood was unhappy, and she found solace in movies as an adolescent. She graduated from Ohio State University in 1942 with a degree in English and married John Harrison Yankee Jr., an insurance broker, the same year. They had three sons together and remained married for 54 years.
After her husband joined the Navy during World War II, Heckart moved to New York and worked various day jobs while trying to start her acting career. She began in summer stock, took classes at the American Theatre Wing, and apprenticed in several plays and revues.
Heckart's big break came with her portrayal of the arch, lonely schoolteacher in William Inge's "Picnic" in 1953, earning her the Outer Critics Circle and Theatre World awards. She continued to work on Broadway, earning Tony nominations for her roles in "The Bad Seed," "The Dark at the Top of the Stairs," "Invitation to a March," and "Butterflies Are Free."
Heckart also worked in television, appearing on prestigious programs such as "Goodyear Television Playhouse," "Kraft Television Theatre," "Studio One," "Suspense," "The Alcoa Hour," and "Playhouse 90." She made her film debut in "Miracle in the Rain" in 1956 and received Oscar and Golden Globe nominations for her role in "The Bad Seed."
Heckart continued to work in film, television, and theater throughout her career, earning a Tony Award for "excellence in theater" in 2000 for her performance in "The Waverly Gallery." She passed away on December 31, 2001, at the age of 82, after being diagnosed with lung cancer.
