Anne Francis, the star of Forbidden Planet and Honey West has died in Santa Barbara at the age of 80.

The actress died of complications from pancreatic cancer in a retirement home, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The former child star had parts in more than 30 movies during the late 1950s and most of the 1960s. She became a cult idol when she starred opposite Leslie Nielsen in the 1956 MGM movie Forbidden Planet.

“I got that part because I was under contract to MGM and I had good legs,” Francis told Starlog magazine in a 1992 interview, according to the Times.

Francis also had roles in Bad Day at Black Rock and funny Girl. She may be best known for her role as a seductive private eye with a pet ocelot in Honey West. She won a Golden Globe and garnered an Emmy nomination for the role.

Married and divorced twice, Francis leaves behind two daughters, Jane Uemura and Maggie.

Pancreatic cancer  is difficult to treat because symptoms are not often found till the late stages, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Risk factors for developing pancreatic cancer include smoking, hereditary disorders, chronic pancreatitis and long-term diabetes.

Anne Francis appearing with muscle man Lou Ferrigno at the Beverly Garland Holiday Inn on Jan. 20, 2001. (Newsmakers)

CBS) Cancer has claimed the life of Anne Francis, sexy star of more than 30 movies, including the 1956 sci fi classic “Forbidden Planet.”

The actress, who underwent surgery and chemotherapy after being diagnosed with lung cancer in 2007, died of complications of pancreatic cancer at a Santa Barbara retirement home, the Los Angeles Times reported. she was 80.

In addition to her film work, Francis played a mannequin who comes to life in an episode of the TV series “The Twilight Zone” and had the title role in the 1960s series “Honey West,” in which she played a private detective with a pet ocelot.

Pancreatic cancer is a notorious killer. Each year in the U.S., more than 43,000 are diagnosed with the disease – and only 5.6 percent of people are still alive five years after being diagnosed.

Risk factors for the disease include smoking, diabetes, and certain hereditary conditions. Symptoms include unexplained weight loss, fatigue, pain the back or abdomen, and yellowing of the skin (jaundice). But symptoms typically don’t show up until the disease has reached an advanced state.