MAUREEN STAPLETON - OSCAR-WINNER MAUREEN STAPLETON DIES

Oscar-winning actress MAUREEN STAPLETON has died of chronic pulmonary disease at her home in Massachusetts. She was 80. The actress, a longtime smoker, died earlier today (13MAR06), according to her son, DANIEL ALLENTUCK. Stapleton played the anarchist writer EMMA GOLDMAN in WARREN BEATTY's epic film REDS, which earned her an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. The star was only the tenth performer to win the triple-crown of acting - an Oscar, an Emmy Award for the TV drama AMONG THE PATHS TO EDEN and a Tony Award for her work in the play THE ROSE TATTOO. Stapleton also won a second Tony Award for Best Dramatic Actress for her performance in NEIL SIMON'S play THE GINGERBREAD LADY. The star is survived by her son, Daniel, as well as a daughter, KATHARINE BAMBERY and a brother, JACK STAPLETON.