Victoria Oakie dies at 91

BEVERLY HILLS — Victoria Horne Oakie, an actress who appeared in dozens of
films, including the Jimmy Stewart classic "Harvey," has died. She was 91.

Oakie died Friday of natural causes at a Beverly Hills retirement home, friend
and publicist Dale Olson said.

The actress appeared in 46 films, including "Abbot and Costello Meet the
Killer," "Blue Skies," "Daisy Kenyon," "Forever Amber," and "The Ghost and Mrs.
Muir."

Oakie was born Nov. 1, 1911, in New York City. She retired from show business
in 1952 to spend time with husband Jack Oakie, a comedic film star.

After his death in 1978, Oakie worked to bolster his memory, establishing a
lecture series in his name at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Oakie wrote four books about their life together, including "Jack Oakie's
Oakridge," about their estate, the honeymoon home of actors Robert Taylor and
Barbara Stanwyck.

Her last book, "Life With Jack Oakie," was published in 2001.

She donated their Oakridge estate to the University of Southern California,
which established the Oakie Chair in Comedy. A gala celebrating the dedication
of the chair is scheduled for Nov. 9. Jack Oakie would have turned 100 on Nov.
12, Olson said.

At the request of Victoria Horne Oakie, there will be no services.

copyright 2003 Associated Press