Sue Lyon, who memorably played the title role in the 1962 film “Lolita,” died Thursday in L.A. at 73.
The New York Times reports she had been in poor health “for some time,” but no cause was given.
Lyon was 14 at the time she played a girl over whom a middle-aged man sexually obsesses. It was filmmaker Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of Vladimir Nabokov’s controversial 1955 novel of the same name.
The movie was a sensation, and was promoted with a Bert Stern photo of Lyon in heart-shaped sunglasses, sucking a lollipop.
Lyon, who was born on July 10, 1946, in Davenport, Iowa, acted for over 20 years, but never again achieved the notoriety or praise “Lolita” brought. It also brought her a Golden Globe, a juicy role, the opportunity to act with heavyweights James Mason, Peter Sellers and Shelley Winters, and a shot at singing; she recorded two songs for the movie.
Her other noteworthy roles were in “The Night of the Iguana” (1964) and “7 Women” (1966). She left acting after a small role in the cult-classic horror flick “Alligator” (1980).
Lyon was married and divorced five times, including to Cotton Adamson, a man who was, at the time of their nuptials, in prison for second-degree murder and robbery.
She is survived by her daughter Nano.