Kathleen Hughes, ‘It Came From Outer Space’ Star, Dies at 96

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Actress Kathleen Hughes, famously known for her roles in the 1953 science fiction horror classic “It Came From Outer Space” and “Alfred Hitchcock Presents,” passed away at the age of 96 on May 19th. Although she may be remembered by some as the “shocked blonde” from the film’s iconic image, Hughes was much more than just a beautiful, terrified young woman in that famous photograph. In the movie, she played Jane, the girlfriend of Russell Johnson’s character George, a role which opened up many other opportunities for her and expanded her acting career. John Jigen Griffin-Atil, a close friend of Hughes, confirmed her passing to Variety.

Elizabeth Margaret von Gerkan, born in Los Angeles, California, is the niece of playwright F. Hugh Herbert, famously known for “The Moon Is Blue.” Inspired by films featuring Donald O’Connor, she pursued acting and attended Fairfax High School, Los Angeles City College, and UCLA. Kathleen was discovered in 1948, during a Little Theater performance. Soon after, she signed a seven-year contract with 20th Century Fox, where she starred in 14 films. Notable minor roles include Rhonda Adams in “Mother Is a Freshman” (1949) and Kay Nelson in “Mr. Belvedere Goes to College” (1949).

After being cast in the 1952 film “For Men Only” by Paul Henreid, Hughes departed from Fox and signed with Universal Studios. In this movie, she played Tracy Norman, a role that caught the attention of writer and producer Don McGuire, who helped Hughes secure a contract with Universal. With her new studio, Hughes’ career flourished, leading to some of her most notable roles such as Jane in “It Came From Outer Space.” Her iconic ‘shocked’ image from this film became widely popular, appearing on birthday cards and advertisements. During an interview with Fox News in 2019, Hughes discussed the origin of this memorable photograph.

In a moment of excitement, I found myself with my arms raised high and yelling loudly – this happened right after wrapping up work on a movie. As I entered the still gallery, the photographer capturing moments said to me, “Raise your hands above your head and shout!” So I did [laughs]. It turned out to be an instant hit. The audience adored it, and that photograph has ensured the film’s enduring legacy.

Hughes Appeared in ‘Perry Mason,’ ‘M*A*S*H,’ ‘Alfred Hitchcock Presents’ and More

During the ’50s and ’60s, Kathleen Hughes frequently graced both the big screen and small-screen appearances on some of the most iconic TV shows from that era. Her roles in these classic programs were typically one-off characters, such as her appearance in the “Perry Mason” episode titled “The Case of the Double-Entry Mind,” where she portrayed Lita Krail, Beth Sandover’s secretary who was involved in a love triangle with her husband after embezzling money. Kathleen Hughes also appeared in two episodes of “Alfred Hitchcock Presents,” and could be found on shows like “I Dream of Jeannie,” “77 Sunset Strip,” “Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C” among others.

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2025-05-22 16:36