Lizabeth Virginia Scott born Emma Matzo September 29 1922 January 31 2015 was an enigmatic American film actress known for her captivating presence in film noir during the 1940s and 1950s Her sultry voice and smoky allure made her a notable figure in Hollywood After understudying the role of Sabina in the original Broadway and Boston stage productions of The Skin of Our Teeth she emerged internationally in such films as The Strange Love of Martha Ivers 1946 Dead Reckoning 1947 Desert Fury 1947 and Too Late for Tears 1949 Of her 22 feature films she was leading lady in all but one Her portrayal of complex femme fatale characters left a lasting impact In addition to stage and radio she appeared on television from the late 1940s to early 1970s Despite a relatively brief filmography her talent and contribution to the noir genre solidified her as an iconic figure in cinematic history Scotts legacy endures through her timeless performances forever etched in the annals of classic Hollywood