'House of Wax' actress Phyllis Kirk dead

LOS ANGELES, Oct 22 (Reuters) Actress Phyllis Kirk, famous for her role as the damsel in distress in the 1953 3-D horror classic ''House of Wax,'' has died at age 79, her former publicist said.

Kirk died on Friday from a post-cerebral aneurysm at the Motion Picture&Television Hospital in Woodland Hills, California, publicist Dale Olson said yesterday.

Early in her career, the wide-eyed, sultry-voiced actress appeared in several Broadway plays.

After moving to Hollywood, she took on numerous television and film roles through the 1950s, including ''House of Wax,'' where she was stalked by Vincent Price.

She is also well-known for her role as Nora Charles in the late 1950s television series ''The Thin Man,'' with Peter Lawford playing her husband.

Reuters LL VP0855