Fay Wray, who screamed her way into the hearts of movie goers across the world after appearing in the classic 1933 creature feature King Kong, has died at the age of 96.

The Canadian born actress had appeared in over 100 films and television programs, but was most widely associated with the role as Ann Darrow, the love interest for a freakish 30 ft. gorilla.

Born Vina Fay Wray on Sept. 15, 1907, in Alberta, Canada, Miss Wray entered the Hollywood scene as a teenager, despite her mother's reservations, and earned her first contract at the popular Hal Roach Studios.

Her early screen years were filled with the typical silent era heroines-in-distress roles, but in 1928 she impressed the studios acting opposite director Erich von Stroheim in The Wedding March. Soon she was on the set of Paramount, and then working for name directors like Frank Capra, and starring opposite actors such as Gary Cooper and Clark Gable.

Then, in 1933 Miss Wray shared the screen with an animated gorilla, who carried her up the side of the Empire State Building and into the imagination of horror fans across the world.

Miss Wray had often remarked publicly that she had grown tiresome of the King Kong association, but through the years she learned to embrace her role as filmland's most famous scream queen.

'Each time I arrive in New York,' Wray wrote in her 1988 autobiography -- On the Other Hand, 'and (I) see the skyline and the exquisite beauty of the Empire State Building, my heart beats a little faster. I like that feeling. I really like it!'

Her acting career lasted nearly 60 years, ending with a role in the 1980 made-for-TV movie Gideon's Trumpet, co-starring with Henry Fonda.

Wray died Sunday in her Manhattan home, in the shadows of the site of her famous climb up the side of the Empire State Building.

'She just kind of drifted off quietly as if she was going to sleep,' a long time friend Rick McKay told the press.