Veteran actress Rita Gam, who starred in Night People with Gregory Peck, dies at age 88

By Associated Press

Published: 20:58 EST, 22 March 2016 | Updated: 23:22 EST, 22 March 2016

Rita Gam, who had a lengthy acting career on film, television and stage, has died.

Publicist Nancy Willen says the actress died in Los Angeles of respiratory failure. She was 88.

Gam starred with Gregory Peck in 1954's Night People and 1971's Shoot Out and with Jack Palance in 1954's Sign of the Pagan. 

Rita Gam, who had a lengthy acting career on film, television and stage, has died at age 88 (seen here in 2005)

Rita Gam, who had a lengthy acting career on film, television and stage, has died at age 88 (seen here in 2005)

She also starred in the film Hannibal, King of Kings and No Exit. Her television credits included The Rockford Files and Mannix. 

She was born in Pittsburgh on April 2, 1927, and made her Broadway debut in 1946 before going on to a decades-long career in film and television.

Gam was married to the late director Sidney Lumet from 1949 until 1955, and was a close friend of Grace Kelly. Gam was one of Kelly's bridesmaids when she married Prince Rainier III of Monaco

Gam was married to the late director Sidney Lumet from 1949 until 1955, and was a close friend of Grace Kelly. Gam was one of Kelly's bridesmaids when she married Prince Rainier III of Monaco

Gam was married to the late director Sidney Lumet from 1949 until 1955, and was a close friend of Grace Kelly. Gam was one of Kelly's bridesmaids when she married Prince Rainier III of Monaco.

She is survived by a daughter and son from her marriage to publisher Thomas Guinzburg, and three grandchildren.

Gregory Peck and Rita stand together in West Berlin in 1953 where 20th Century Fox took shots for Night People

Gregory Peck and Rita stand together in West Berlin in 1953 where 20th Century Fox took shots for Night People

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