Kathleen Hughes, a Hollywood actress best known for her role in the 1953 sci-fi film It Came From Outer Space, died on Monday at the age of 96.
Her death was confirmed by longtime friend John Jigen Griffin-Atil.
Born Elizabeth Margaret von Gerkan in Los Angeles, Hughes was the niece of playwright F. Hugh Herbert. She began her film career after signing with 20th Century Fox in 1948, which also marked her name change. She appeared in early films such as Mother Is a Freshman and Mr. Belvedere Goes to College.
After leaving Fox, Hughes caught the attention of director Paul Henreid, who cast her in For Men Only. That role led to a contract at Universal-International, thanks in part to writer-producer Don McGuire. Soon after, she landed her most iconic role in It Came From Outer Space, directed by Jack Arnold. A publicity still from the film—showing Hughes with her hands raised in terror—became a lasting image used in greeting cards and advertising.
In a 2019 interview with Fox News, Hughes recalled how that moment came together. “I had just finished working on that film. I walked into the still gallery and the cameraman said, ‘Put your hands up in the air and scream.’ So I did. It was an instant success,” she said.
Hughes went on to co-star with Rock Hudson in The Golden Blade, where she gave him his first on-screen kiss. She later reunited with Arnold for the film noir The Glass Web, and starred in Three Bad Sisters.
During the 1960s and 1970s, Hughes made frequent appearances on television. She held recurring roles in The Ghost and Mrs. Muir and Bracken’s World, and guest-starred in popular shows including Mission: Impossible, Marcus Welby, M.D., Barnaby Jones, M.A.S.H., I Dream of Jeannie, and Here’s Lucy.
Hughes was married to producer Stanley Rubin for 59 years until his death in 2014. She is survived by her daughter Angie and sons Michael and John. Her son Chris passed away before her.
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