Desperate Housewives Star Polly Bergen has Died, Aged 84

Actress and singer Polly Bergen, who appeared in Desperate Housewives and The Sopranos, has died aged 84.

She died at her home in Connecticut, USA, today, (20 September) after a long battle with emphysema.

Confirming the news, her publicist Judy Katz said in a statement: "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of legendary actress and long-time friend and client, Polly Bergen,"."She died peacefully at her home in Southbury, Conn. this morning at 11.10am, surrounded by her family, long-time personal manager, Jan McCormack and close friends."

Bergen starred opposite Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis in her first movie, At War With the Army. She worked with them again in the comedies, That's My Boy and The Stooge.

She was best known for her role in the original version of Cape Fear opposite Gregory Peck.

Bergen was cast as the first female US president in 1964's Kisses for My President. Among her other films was Move Over, Darling in 1963 with Doris Day and James Garner, Susan Seidelman's 1987 Making Mr. Right, and John Waters' 1990 Cry-Baby, with Johnny Depp.

The actress experienced resurgence in her career and went on to star in several popular American TV shows.She played Felicity Huffman's mother on Desperate Housewives and the mistress of Tony Soprano's late father on The Sopranos.

Her work on Desperate Housewives earned her a nomination for outstanding guest actress in a comedy series.

Ms. Bergen is survived by two daughters, Kathy Lander and Pamela Fields; a son, Peter Fields; and three grandchildren.