Gale Storm, star of '50s hit TV series, dies at 87

LOS ANGELES – Gale Storm, whose wholesome appearance and perky personality made her one of early television's biggest stars, has died at age 87.

The actress died Saturday at a convalescent hospital in Danville, said her son, Peter Bonnell. He says she died of natural causes.

Storm was a Texas high schooler named Josephine Owaissa Cottle when she won a talent contest for a radio show called "Gateway to Hollywood" on New Year's Day 1940.

Soon she was in Los Angeles, making movies with Jackie Cooper, Eddie Albert and Audie Murphy.

In 1952 she landed the starring role in "My Little Margie," which quickly became an audience favorite and ran until 1955.