The Empire State Building -- the site of King Kong's famous cinematic climb, while holding a young damsel in his clutches -- will dim it's spire lights for fifteen minutes Tuesday night in honor of Fay Wray.

A statement on the Empire State Building's website reads, 'We are saddened by the passing of Fay Wray, a wonderful actress and dear friend of the Empire State Building.'

Miss Wray died Sunday in her Manhattan home, just out of the shadows of the world renowned landmark. 'She just kind of drifted off quietly as if she was going to sleep,' a long time friend Rick McKay told the press.

Born Vina Fay Wray on Sept. 15, 1907, in Alberta, Canada, Wray entered the Hollywood scene as a teenager. During a career that began in 1923 and spanned nearly 60 years, and close to 100 films, Wray appeared with such stars as Ronald Coleman, Clark Gable, Gary Cooper and Spencer Tracy, and once took direction from Frank Capra. But she was forever destined to be associated with the role of Ann Darrow, the love interest for an oversized gorilla.

Wray struggled both on screen and off to free herself from the colossal gorilla's grasp. In a 1963 interview she spoke about the hold the famous creature feature had on her. 'I used to resent `King Kong,'' she said. 'But now I don't fight it anymore. I realize that it is a classic, and I am pleased to be associated with it.'

Later, in her 1988 biography, On The Other Hand, Wray wrote that she had come to terms with being filmland's most famous scream queen. 'Each time I arrive in New York,' she wrote 'and (I) see the skyline and the exquisite beauty of the Empire State Building, my heart beats a little faster. I like that feeling. I really like it!'

The Empire State Building plans to honor the legendary scream queen by dimming the tower lights Tuesday night form 9:30pm to 9:45pm.