Godfather actress Morgana King has died at 87 after a battle with cancer

JAZZ singer and Godfather actress Morgana King has died aged 87 following a battle with cancer.
The star passed away on March 22 this year but her death was only revealed this week.
According to the Washington Post, her death was confirmed by the Riverside County coroner’s office.

Ms King was best known for playing Carmela Corleone, the wife of Marlon Brando's character Don Vito in the first two Godfather films.

A representative from the office said the cause was non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, it's reported.

John Hoglund, a close friend of Ms King, posted a tribute to her on Facebook, saying: "She passed away of natural causes at her home in Palm Springs recently.

"Though many will remember her as Marlon Brando's wife and Al Pacino's mother in the iconic The Godfather movies (l & ll), she was one of the most revered and unique jazz singers of the last century who was a major part of the jazz scene along with numerous greats like Charlie (Bird) Parker, Billie Holiday."

He continued: "Her famed recording of A Taste of Honey and Corcovado (Quiet Nights) were her most famous hits.

"Her close friend Frank Sinatra referred to her as "... a perfect singer like no other."

"She made over 30 albums and all are collector's items. We were good friends for over 30 years."

Born Maria Grazia Morgana Messina to Sicilian parents in Pleasantville New York, in 1946, Ms King grew up with five siblings.

Her father owned a coal and ice business and played the guitar and piano by ear.

Ms King's musical talents were discovered at the age of 13 when she was overheard singing I'll See You Again from Noel Coward's operetta Bitter Sweet.

She was later awarded a scholarship to the Metropolitan School of Music.

She began singing in nightclubs in the 1950s, where she was discovered by a record label executive who was impressed with her multi-octave range.

In 1956, Morgana King released her first album For You, For Me, For Evermore.