'King Kong's' Fay Wray dies at age 93

NEW YORK, Aug. 9 (UPI) -- Fay Wray, who appeared in 100 movies but is best known for her role opposite a giant gorilla in "King Kong, has died in New York City at the age of 96.

The New York Times said no cause for the Sunday night death was given.

Despite her many movie roles, Wray continued to be asked about "King Kong." During a 1993 interview she said Kong had "become a spiritual thing to many people, including me."

"Although he had tremendous strength and power to destroy, some kind of instinct made him appreciate what he saw as beautiful," Wray said. "The movie affects males of all ages. Recently, a 6-year-old boy said to me, 'I've been waiting to meet you for half my life.' "

Wray was born Sept. 15, 1907, in Alberta, Canada, the daughter of Jerry Wray, an inventor, and his wife, Vina.

She began acting in movies as a teenager and retired in 1942. During the 1950s she had a television show, "The Pride of the Family." Later she wrote plays.

She was married three times: at age 19 to screenwriter John Monk Saunders; in 1942 to another screenwriter, Robert Riskin; and in 1971 to neurosurgeon Dr. Sanford Rothenberg.

In 1989 she was interviewed by Aljean Harmetz of The New York Times, who said she found Wray, then 81, "a cheery woman, a mother hen with black leather pumps, pearls at the throat, a splash of bright red lipstick and auburn hair."

Wray then said: "I find it not acceptable when people blame Hollywood for the things that happen to them. Films are wonderful. I've had a beautiful life because of films."