Obit: Mariangela Melato, R.I.P.

More sad news: Italian actress Mariangela Melato, who so memorably portrayed General Kala, Klytus' right-hand woman and head of Mongo's secret police in director Mike Hodges' 1980 film, Flash Gordon, passed away from pancreatic cancer last Friday, January 11. She was 71 years old.

Popular in Europe, Melato starred in a variety of roles in over 60 films and television productions, but is probably best known for her role in 1974's Swept Away.

Rest in peace, Mariangela.