‘It Came From Outer Space’ Actress Passes Away at 96

Kathleen Hughes, renowned for her role as the shocked blonde in the iconic 1953 3D sci-fi classic **“It Came From Outer Space,”** passed away on Monday at the age of 96.

The news was shared by her friend John Jigen Griffin-Atil.

Born Elizabeth Margaret von Gerkan in **Los Angeles**, Kathleen was the niece of playwright **F. Hugh Herbert**. She entered the acting world when she signed with Fox in 1948, where her name was changed to **Kathleen Hughes**. She started her career acting in small roles in films such as **“Mother Is a Freshman”** and **“Mr. Belvedere Goes to College.”**

After leaving Fox, Hughes caught the attention of **Paul Henreid**, who cast her in **“For Men Only.”** This led to a contract with **Universal-International**, thanks to writer-producer **Don McGuire**. Her pivotal role came in director **Jack Arnold’s** **“It Came From Outer Space.”** The film’s promotional still, showcasing Hughes’ iconic scream, became a cultural touchstone, appearing on everything from birthday cards to major advertising campaigns.

In an interview with **FoxNews** in 2019, Hughes reminisced about the **iconic photograph** from the film. She explained, “The one where I have my hands up in the air and I’m screaming? I had just finished working on that film. I went to the still gallery and as I walked in, the cameraman said to me, ‘Put your hands up in the air and scream.’ And I did **laughs**. It became an instant success; they loved it, and the film just lives forever with that photo.”

Following her success in sci-fi, Hughes starred opposite **Rock Hudson** in the adventure film **“The Golden Blade,”** where she gave him his first on-screen kiss. She reunited with **Jack Arnold** for the film noir **“The Glass Web,”** and also appeared in **“Three Bad Sisters.”**

During the 1960s and 1970s, Kathleen Hughes featured in numerous television shows. She held recurring roles in **“The Ghost and Mrs. Muir”** and **“Bracken’s World.”** Additionally, she made guest appearances on iconic shows such as **“Marcus Welby M.D.,” “Barnaby Jones,” “Mission: Impossible,” “I Dream of Jeannie,” “M.A.S.H.,”** and **“Here’s Lucy.”**

Kathleen Hughes was married to producer **Stanley Rubin** for 59 years until his passing in 2014. She is survived by her daughter **Angie** and sons **Michael** and **John.** Sadly, she was predeceased by her son **Chris.**

As a talented actress, Kathleen Hughes leaves behind a rich legacy that encapsulates over six decades of filmmaking and television. From her iconic role in sci-fi cinema to a vibrant television presence, her contributions have left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry.