Rita Gam Passes On

Rita Gam, who appeared in such films as The Thief (1952) and No Exit (1962), died on March 22 2016 at the age of 88.

Rita Gam was born Rita MacKay in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on April 2 1927. She grew up in New York City. She took her stage name by adopting the surname of her stepfather, Benjamin Gam. She had a career in modelling before she was cast in a role on Broadway in A Flag is Born in 1946. In the late Forties she also appeared on Broadway in A Temporary Island, The Insect Comedy, and The Young and Fair. She made her television debut on an episode of Believe It or Not in 1950.

In 1952 Rita Gam made her film debut in The Thief. That same year she signed a contract with MGM. In the Fifties she appeared in such films as Saadia (1953), Night People (1954), Sign of the Pagan (1954), Magic Fire (1955), Mohawk (1956), Sierra Baron (1958), Costa Azzurra (1959), and Annibale (1959). She guest starred on such shows as Lights Out, Trapped, Danger, Lux Video Theatre, The Motorola Television Hour, The Jack Benny Program, The Ford Television Theatre, Kraft Theatre, Studio One, The Steve Allen Plymouth Show, Armchair Theatre, and The United States Steel Hour.

In the Sixties Rita Gam appeared in the films King of Kings (1961) and No Exit (1962). She guest starred on such shows as Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, The Jackie Gleason Show, Family Affair, and Hidden Faces. She appeared on Broadway in There's a Girl in My Soup.

In the Seventies Miss Gam appeared in the films Klute (1971), Shoot Out (1971), Such Good Friends (1971), The Gardener (1974), and Law and Disorder (1974). She appeared on the soap opera Love of Life and guest starred on the shows McMillan & Wife, Mannix, Matt Helm, Harry O, Greatest Heroes of the Bible, and The Rockford Files.

In the Eighties Miss Gam appeared on the TV shows Romance Theatre and The Edge of Night. She guest starred on the shows Tales of the Unexpected and Tucker's Witch. She appeared in the films Distortions (1987) and Midnight (1989). In the Nineties she appeared in the film Rowing Through (1996). She appeared on Broadway in Uncle Vanya. In the Naughts she appeared on Broadway in Fortune's Fool.