Barbara Lawrence dies; appeared in 'Oklahoma!'

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 4 (UPI) -- Barbara Lawrence, the actress best known for playing Gertie Cummings in the screen version of "Oklahoma!," has died. She was 85.

Her daughter-in-law said Lawrence died Nov. 11 of kidney failure, celebrity website TMZ reported.

Lawrence last appeared on television in 1962, 17 years after her first movie role. She went on to become a real estate agent.

But her career included several notable movies. In addition to "Oklahoma!," she appeared in "A Letter to Three Wives" and "Kronos."

She also appeared on "Perry Mason," "Bonanza" and other shows.

A native of Oklahoma, Lawrence began appearing in movies while she was a student at UCLA.