American actress Louisa Fletcher has died at the age of 88

American actress Louisa Fletcher died at the age of 88. Fletcher died in her sleep surrounded by family at her home in Monduro, France, her agent, David Scholl, told The Associated Press. No reason given.

She was born on July 22, 1934 in Birmingham, (Alabama, USA). She gained international fame with Miloš Forman’s film, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, where she played alongside Jack Nicholson, and that role brought her an Oscar.

Having put her career on hold for her children, Fletcher was in her early 40s and little known when she was cast opposite Jack Nicholson in the 1975 film directed by Milos Forman. Little did he know at the time that many other prominent stars, including Anne Bancroft, Ellen Burstyn and Angela Lansbury, had turned him down.