Barbara Rush, Star of It Came from Outer Space and Peyton Place, Dead at 97

Barbara Rush, the famed Hollywood actress known for roles in It Came from Outer Space and Peyton Place, died on Sunday. She was 97.

Rush’s death was confirmed by her daughter, Claudia Cowan, in a statement to Fox News. "My wonderful mother passed away peacefully at 5:28 this evening. I was with her this morning and know she was waiting for me to return home safely to transition."

"It’s fitting she chose to leave on Easter as it was one of her favorite holidays and now, of course, Easter will have a deeper significance for me and my family," the statement concluded.

Rush rose to fame for her role in It Came From Outer Space, which she starred in alongside Richard Carlson, in 1953. She was awarded a Golden Globe for the film the following year as she was named the most promising female newcomer.

Among the actress' most notable roles include When Worlds Collide (1951), Magnificent Obsession (1954) and The Young Philadelphians (1959).

Many of her most known projects saw her star alongside some of the era's hottest names, including Frank Sinatra in Come Blow Your Horn (1963) and Robin and the 7 Hoods (1964), Paul Newman in Taza, Son of Cochise (1954) andThe Young Philadelphians, John Drew Barrymore in Quebec (1951) and Rock Hudson in Magnificent Obsession.

In 1958, she was part of a truly star-studded collective as she starred in The Young Lions alongside Marlon Brando, Montgomery Clift and Dean Martin.

Later in her career, she pursued several TV roles, including the 1960s soap opera Peyton Place, a stint on Batman, and 7th Heaven. She also took to the stage, making her Broadway debut in 1984 in a one-woman show, A Woman of Independent Means, as well as several other regional performances.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 

Rush shared daughter Cowan, 60, with her second husband, publicist Warren Cowan. She also is mom to son Christopher Hunter, 71, who she shared with her first husband, fellow actor Jeffrey Hunter.