'The Omen' actress Billie Whitelaw dies at 82

LONDON, Dec. 22 (UPI) -- Acclaimed British actress Billie Whitelaw died in a nursing home Sunday after suffering from Alzheimer's disease for years. She was 82.

Whitelaw's son Matthew Muller told The Independent she died in the early hours of Sunday.

"She really was an incredible actress, but right now my thoughts are about her as my mum," he said.

"Her career is one thing, and she had a unique career, but she was also an incredibly loving and caring mum, and it's that side of her I'm going to miss most."

Whitelaw began acting when she was 11 years old and was best known for her stage work with playwright Samuel Beckett as well as her starring role in the 1976 film The Omen. She also had roles in The Krays (1990), Quills (2000), Stardust (2007) and Hot Fuzz (2007), her last feature film, among many others.

Muller said the actress was "peaceful" at her time of death.