Forbidden Planet actress Anne Francis dies of lung cancer

London (ANI): Anne Francis, best known for her roles in the 1950s science-fiction classic Forbidden Planet and the 1960s television series 'Honey West", has died. She was 80. The veteran actress, who was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2007, died on Sunday from complications of pancreatic cancer at a retirement home in Santa Barbara, California, her daughter Jane Uemura told the LA Times.

The New York-born blonde beauty began her career as a child actress in New York radio and television and on the Broadway stage before moving on to the big screen, reports the Daily Mail. She later went to 20th Century-Fox, then returned to MGM, and the two big studios afforded her the chance to act opposite the biggest male stars of the day.

Francis appeared opposite stars such as Spencer Tracy, Paul Newman, Robert Taylor and Glenn Ford in some of the most popular films of the 1950s. Her sexy private detective character in 'Honey West" earner her a nomination for an Emmy.

Some of her films include Blackboard Jungle, Bad Day at Black Rock, Rogue Cop, The Rack, A Lion Is in the Streets, and Hook, Line and Sinker. Francis, who was twice-divorced, is survived by her daughters Jane and Maggie and a grandson.