LOS ANGELES: Emmy-winning actress and singer Polly Bergen, best known for playing a terrorised wife in the classic 1962 thriller Cape Fear alongside Gregory Peck and Robert Mitchum, died Saturday, her publicist said. She was 84.

Bergen, who was honoured with Emmy and Tony Awards during her acting career, died at her home in Connecticut, spokeswoman Judy Katz said in a statement.

"It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of legendary actress and long-time friend and client, Polly Bergen," the statement said.

"She died peacefully at her home in Southbury, Connecticut this morning, surrounded by her family and close friends."

In addition to her performance in Cape Fear, which starred Mitchum as a rapist who wages a vendetta against a lawyer (Peck) and his wife (Bergen), the actress had roles in three Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis comedies in the 1950s.

Her later acting career featured cameos in several hit television series, including The Sopranos, where she played the mistress of Tony Soprano's father, as well as a recurring role in Desperate Housewives.

She also played the mother of female US President Mackenzie Allen (Geena Davis) in the 2006 show, Commander in Chief.