Rita Gam, an actress who was featured in a number of 1950s classics, died Tuesday at the age of 88.
Her publicist confirmed that the veteran actress died of respiratory failure at the Cedar-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, Calif.
Gam is best remembered for her roles in "Hannibal" alongside Victor Mature and films like "Night People" and "Shoot Out" with Gregory Peck. Her other movie credits include "Klute" with Jane Fonda, "Saadia," "Sign of the Pagan" and "King of Kings."
She and her "No Exit" co-star Viveca Lindfors bagged the Silver Bear for Best Actress at the 1962 Berlin Film Festival for their performances in the film adaptation of Jean-Paul Sartre's play. Her final appearance on the big screen was in the 1989 film "Midnight."
Gam was the first wife of director Sidney Lumet, who was known for films such as "12 Angry Men" and "Dog Day Afternoon." The couple was married for six years before they parted ways in 1955. Gam tied the knot to the president of Viking Press, Thomas Guinzberg, one year after the divorce.
She was also a close friend of actress Grace Kelly and was the "Rear Window" actress' bridesmaid at her 1956 wedding to Prince Rainier of Monaco.
Born in Pittsburgh, Penn., Gam and her family moved to New York City, where she grew up and took up a career in acting. Her first major breakthrough was a role in Ben Hecht's 1946 Broadway play "A Flag Is Born," and she made her silver screen debut a few years later alongside Ray Milland in 1952's "The Thief."
The veteran actress, who was a founding member of The Actors Studio, starred in a series of other stage productions such as "Wit & Wisdom," "Hamlet" and "There's a Girl in My Soup."
She also had a successful television career, appearing in a number of shows that include "Family Affair," "Playhouse 90," "McMillan & Wife," "Mannix" and "The Rockford Files." She also served as a producer on the documentary series "World of Film" as well as PBS' travel show "World of Beauty" later in life.
Gam is survived by her daughter film producer Kate Guinzburg, her son novelist Michael Guinzburg and granddaughters Michelle Guinzburg, Olivia Owen and Louisa Owen.
