The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of police agency policy, gave no details. Gordon was a British model turned actress who appeared in a few big budget Hollywood films, including Spider-Man 3 and Four Feathers.

She also played Jane Birkin in the yet-to-be-released film of Serge Gainsbourg's life, Vie Heroique. Gordon's father said the death was a "complete shock." Speaking from the family's home in Oxford, Richard Gordon told Britain's Press Association that his daughter was "a natural actress all her life, since she was about two."

"She's always loved being on stage and in front of the camera and she has kept all her naturalness and charm all the way through. She has been the most beautiful daughter. We are obviously devastated." He said she loved her latest role, in the Gainsbourg film, and thought the cast was "wonderfully creative and supportive."

He added that his daughter spent much of her childhood and her summer holidays in France and was bilingual. She recently moved to Paris after living in New York. The Daily Mail said Gordon's boyfriend stayed with her on Tuesday night. He told police he went to bed then woke in the morning to find her dead.

He reportedly ran downstairs into the street, screaming, and asked a shopkeeper for help. He told police Gordon had been very upset following the recent suicide of a friend back home in Britain.

Neighbours told police the actress spent little time in the $4000 a month two-bedroom apartment but described her as "an adorable girl". "Two days ago, we were chatting over a drink," one told the newspaper. "You think people are stable and then ..." Gordon's portrayal of Serge Gainsbourg's muse and former companion Jane Birkin attracted wide praise even before the film's release.

The film was recently previewed at the Cannes Film Festival. Its producers paid tribute to Gordon's role on news of her death. "The film owes a lot to the generous spirit, to the kindess and immense talent of Lucy Gordon," they said in a statement.

Gordon would have turned 29 today. Gordon's agents did not return phone calls seeking comment on Thursday. AP

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