London - British actress and Hollywood diva Deborah Kerr, best known for her roles in The King and I and From Here To Eternity, has died, aged 86, her agent said on Thursday. Born in Scotland in 1921, Kerr started her career on stage and entertained the British troops during the Second World War before achieving Hollywood success alongside Burt Lancaster, Cary Grant and Robert Mitchum.
Her first major film role was Major Barbara in 1941, her last was The Assam Garden in 1985.
She was nominated for the best actress Oscar six times, and finally received an honorary Academy Award in 1994.
Kerr was appointed a CBE (Commander of the British Empire) in 1997.
She had been living in Switzerland, but returned to England to be near her family.
Having suffered from Parkinson's disease for years, Kerr died in the eastern English county of Suffolk on Tuesday.
She is survived by her husband, novelist and screenwriter Peter Viertel, two daughters and three grandchildren.
