Janet Leigh, the wholesome beauty who co-starred with James Stewart, John Wayne and Frank Sinatra in films of the 1940s to 1960s died Sunday at her Beverly Hills, Calif., home, the New York Daily News reported on its Web site Monday. She was 77.

The actress' daughters, Kelly Curtis and actress Jamie Lee Curtis were at their mother's side when she died, Jamie Lee Curtis' spokeswoman, Heidi Schaeffer, told the newspaper. Leigh had suffered in recent months from vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels, the Daily News said.

Leigh gained her most lasting fame in 1960's "Psycho" as the embezzling office worker who is stabbed to death in the shower by cross-dressing madman Anthony Perkins. The role earned her an Oscar nomination as best supporting actress.

Hitchcock compiled the shower sequence in 70-odd takes of two and three seconds each, for which Leigh spent seven days in the shower. Rumors circulated that she was nude, but she wore a flesh-colored moleskin.

Leigh wrote in her 1995 book "Psycho: Behind the Scenes in the Classic Thriller" that the filming was easy until the last 20 seconds when she had to express total horror as her character was being slashed to death. She often said she hadn't been able to take a shower since the movie.

--She was amazing. While I can't say I'm too familiar with her other works, her association with "Psycho" made her an icon. She played that role perfectly.

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Posted by Lawren at October 4, 2004 07:16 AM

You Said

she was indeed a star

Says: Uptown Girl at October 4, 2004 09:34 AM

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Touch of Evil is another great film of hers. Just make sure you get the directors cut.

Says: chuck at October 4, 2004 01:03 PM

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Great picture of her in shower!

Says: GrumpyBunny at October 4, 2004 03:15 PM

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