LAGUNA HILLS, Calif. -- Character actress Lee Patrick, who played secretary to Humphrey Bogart's Sam Spade in 'The Maltese Falcon' and starred in the 'Topper' TV series, has died of a massive heart attack. She was 71.
Miss Patrick, who variously portrayed hard-bitten or lightheaded blondes for nearly half a century, died at home Thursday, her husband, writer Tom Wood, said.
Wood said they had recently returned from New York where they had celebrated her 71st birthday and appeared on a 'Good Morning America' salute to the 'Topper' series, in which Miss Patrick starred as Henrietta Topper from 1953-56.
Miss Patrick, who played Effie Perrine in 'The Maltese Falcon,' formally retired in 1964 but returned to recreate the role of Effie opposite George Segal in a 1975 comic remake, 'The Black Bird.'
The New York-born actress began her career on Broadway when she was 13, appearing in 'The Green Beetle,' 'June Moon,' 'Little Women,' 'Blessed Event' and 'Stage Door,' before signing an RKO contract that led to her Hollywood debut in the 1929 film, 'Strange Cargo.'
Her film credits include 'Music for Madame,' 'Law of the Underworld,' 'The Sisters,' 'Fisherman's Wharf,' 'Vertigo,' 'Pillow Talk,' and more than 60 other feature films.
In addition to the 'Topper' series, Miss Patrick worked for two years in the 'Mr. Adams and Eve' series and appeared in numerous other TV segments.
