Oscar-winning actress Shelley Winters has died at a nursing home in California, a spokesperson has confirmed. She was 85.
According to reports, the actress, whose real name was Shirley Shrift, was hospitalised in October after suffering a heart attack but the cause of her death has not been disclosed.
During her career Winters won two Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actress, for her portrayal of Mrs Van Daan in 'The Diary of Anne Frank' in 1959 and for her role as the violent mother of a blind girl in 'A Patch of Blue' in 1965.
She was also nominated for Oscars for her roles in 'A Place in the Sun' in 1951 and 'The Poseidon Adventure' in 1972.
Winters was also renowned for her roles in 'The Great Gatsby' in 1949, 'Frenchie' in 1951, 'Lolita' in 1962 and 'Two is the Number' in 1963.
In 1980 Winters penned an autobiography entitled 'Shelley, Also Known As Shirley', which gave details of her relationships with stars such as Marlon Brando, Errol Flynn and Burt Lancaster. She also wrote a second autobiography called 'The Best of Times – The Worst of Times'.
Winters was married three times, to Paul Mayer, Anthony Franciosa and Vittorio Gassman, with whom she had a daughter.
