Brett Somers, an actress, singer and comedienne best known as a panelist on the CBS game show Match Game, died today at the age of 83 at her home in Westport, Connecticut. Various news agencies are reporting this story.

Born Audrey Johnston in New Brunswick, Canada; Somers grew up near Portland, Maine. At the age of 17 she ran away from home and moved to Greenwich Village, New York City to pursue a career on the stage. It was there she changed her name – taking the name Brett from Ernest Hemingway’s “The Son Also Rises” and Somers after her mother’s maiden name.

Previously married and with a daughter, Somers married actor Jack Klugman in 1953. The couple had two sons, Adam and David. Separating in 1974, the couple never divorced. Somers is survived by Klugman and her three children.

Known for her husky voice, Somers frequently denied that she suffered from a throat illness. Rather, her son Adam gave the cause of death as stomach and colon cancer.

Her early career began on the stage where she appeared in “Philco Playhouse,” “Kraft Theatre Playhouse 90,” and the prestigious “Robert Montgomery Presents.” Later on, she appeared in such films as The Seven Year Itch, and The Country Girl with husband Jack Klugman. She appeared frequently on primetime television. Shows included Love, American Style, The Love Boat, Barney Miller, and The Mary Tyler Moore Show.

Somers also regularly appeared as the ex-wife of Klugman’s character Oscar Madison on the 1970’s ABC hit comedy The Odd Couple.

Ultimately though, Somers found her greatest notoriety as a panelist on the funny, often ribald, CBS game show Match Game hosted by the late Gene Rayburn. Husband Jack Klugman appeared on the show first, but suggested his wife for later episodes. She would appear wearing enormous eyeglasses, wigs and played a great foil to the other panelists on the show, including the late Charles Nelson Reilly, Fannie Flagg, Richard Dawson, and Betty White. Somers was occasionally the subject of a few questions, including, “Brett is going to star in a new soap opera and it's going to be called "The Old and the ______less." “ Brett’s wit and salty humor made her a regular panelist for the show’s entire nine-year run.

Somers also performed frequently in nightclubs and was the recipient of the 2004 Back Stage Bistro Award and the 2004 Nightlife Award.