Kitty Carlisle Hart

Kitty Carlisle Hart has been known for many years as a leader of New York's social scene. But her long career spanned Broadway, opera, television and film, including the classic Marx Brothers movie "A Night at the Opera." Hart has died at age 96, her son said April 18, 2007. Keep clicking for a look at the life of a star whose career straddled Hollywood and the New York social scene. At left, Hart in 1988.

Remembering "A Great Dame"

"She had such a wonderful life, and a great long run; it was a blessing," said her son, Christopher Hart. Here, Kitty Carlisle Hart is sworn in as chairperson of the State Council on the Arts in September 1976. A tireless advocate of the arts, she served on the council for 20 years.

Remembering "A Great Dame"

On Aug. 10, 1946, playwright Moss Hart and Kitty Carlisle were married in a ceremony performed by Justice of the Peace John Simon in New Hope, Pa. Hart was the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright who wrote "You Can't Take It With You" and "The Man Who Came to Dinner" with George S. Kaufman, and directed "My Fair Lady" on Broadway.

Remembering "A Great Dame"

Kitty Carlisle Hart was a familiar face on television from 1956 to 1967 as a member of the panel of the popular quiz show "To Tell The Truth." Master of Ceremonies Bud Collyer, at rear, poses with the panel, from left Polly Bergen, Ralph Bellamy, Kitty Carlisle and Hy Gardner.

Remembering "A Great Dame"

Best remembered for her starring role as Rosa Castaldi in the 1935 movie "A Night at the Opera," Hart also acted in "She Loves Me Not" and "Here Is My Heart," both opposite Bing Crosby, and Woody Allen's "Radio Days." Kitty Carlisle Hart was a regular on New York's social scene well into her 90s. At left, actress Tammy Grimes and Hart attend a party on the opening night of "Shockheaded Peter" on Feb. 22, 2005.

Remembering "A Great Dame"

Kitty Carlisle Hart began her acting career on Broadway in "Champagne Sec," and went on to appear in many other Broadway productions, including the 1984 revival of "On Your Toes." Here, she and producer Sonny Everett attend the opening night of "Shockheaded Peter" on Feb. 22, 2005 in New York.

Remembering "A Great Dame"

Kitty Carlisle Hart, right, and Anne Kaufman attend the premiere of the play "You Can't Take It With You" at the Geffen Playhouse on April 20, 2005 in Brentwood, California.

Remembering "A Great Dame"

With her son, director Christopher Hart, Kitty Carlisle Hart attends the after party for the premiere of the play "You Can't Take It With You" at the Ocean Avenue Seafood Restaurant on April 20, 2005, in Santa Monica, Calif.

Remembering "A Great Dame"

Kitty Carlisle Hart attends the WNET and WLIW 13th annual gala at Gotham Hall June 13, 2006, in New York with, from left, Bill Baker, president of PBA Channel Thirteen in New York, and Jeff Rudin.

Remembering "A Great Dame"

Actress Donna Murphy, left, poses with Kitty Carlisle Hart at a party after the opening night of the Broadway musical "Wonderful Town" on Nov. 23, 2003, in New York.

Remembering "A Great Dame"

Kitty Carlisle Hart attends "What Fresh Hell Is This," a performance of readings from the work of Dorothy Parker, on April 13, 2004, in New York.

Remembering "A Great Dame"

At a ribbon-cutting ceremony to open the American Airlines Theatre on 42nd Street in New York in 2000 are, from left, Kitty Carlisle Hart; Tom Gleason, vice president of American Airlines, and Anne Kaufman Schneider. The opening play was "The Man Who Came to Dinner." Schneider is the daughter of George S. Kaufman, who co-wrote many plays with Moss Hart.

Remembering "A Great Dame"

Actress Kitty Carlisle Hart, left, and actress Betty Buckley attend "You Gotta Have Hart," a musical tribute to Hart's late husband, at the Chelsea Theatre on Nov. 26, 2001, in New York.

Remembering "A Great Dame"

The Jewish Museum's 100th birthday was celebrated Jan. 21, 2004, in New York. The guests, from left, included comedian Robert Klein, New York City Deputy Mayor Patricia Harris, Kitty Carlisle Hart, and "60 Minutes" correspondent Morley Safer. Hart was profiled on "60 Minutes" as "a great dame."

Remembering "A Great Dame"

Anne Slater, left, and Kitty Carlisle Hart watch the Bill Blass 2004 fashion show from the front row on Feb. 10, 2004, in New York.

Remembering "A Great Dame"

Kitty Carlisle Hart attends the Body & Soul celebration of the winners of the NFAA 2006 arts awards at the Baryshnikov Arts Center on April 24, 2006, in New York. In 1991, Hart received the National Medal of Arts from the first President Bush.

Remembering "A Great Dame"

Singer Tony Bennett greets Kitty Carlisle Hart at the WNET and WLIW 13th annual gala at Gotham Hall June 13, 2006, in New York.

Remembering "A Great Dame"

Entertainer Kitty Carlisle Hart celebrated her 94th birthday with a blow-out following a cabaret performance at Feinstein's at the Regency in New York on Sept. 21, 2004. Besides Christopher Hart, 59, a director, writer and producer, survivors include her daughter, Dr. Catherine Hart, and three grandchildren. "We're working on a terrific memorial," said her son.