Cynthia Lynn, best known as Helga on hit 1960s show Hogan's Heroes, dies aged 76



Cynthia Lynn, best known for her role as bombshell blonde secreatry Helga on the first season of Hogan's Heroes, died on Monday at age 76.

Lynn portrayed the secretary of German Colonel Wilheml Klink during the 1965-66 season of the popular, long-running show about Allied soldiers in a German prisoner of war camp during World War II.

The native of Latvia had been in good health but was taken to the hospital on Friday after her leg swelled up.

Television star: Cynthia Lynn, shown with Hogan's Heroes star Bob Crane in a 1965 photo, died on Monday at age 77

Lynn learned that she had hepatitis and she died on Monday night after her organs started shutting down, according to an article on Tuesday in TMZ.

Her cause of death was multiple organ failure.

Lynn was one of the last surviving cast members on Hogan's Heroes that starred Bob Crane in the title role as Colonel Robert Hogan.

Torrid affair: Cynthia told ABC News that she had an affair with Crane while on the show

Crane was found bludgeoned to death in June 1978 at his Arizona apartment at age 49.

Lynn and Crane had a torrid affair in 1965 and she told ABC News that she got involved in his pornography hobby.

'He was a camera nut, OK? I loved it when he took pictures of me, because he was like a kid in a candy store. Yes, he took some nude pictures of me. But it was nothing to be ashamed of. There was nothing kinky or weird or about it,' Lynn said.

Popular show: Cynthia and Bob are shown along with their co-stars in a still from the first season of Hogan's Heroes in 1965

After legendary Hollywood actor Marlon Brando died in 2004 at age 80, Lynn's daughter Lisa revealed the actor was her father.

Lisa said her mother met Brando on the set of the 1964 Bedtime Story.

'Just wanted to thank you all so much for all your prayers and support during this difficult time. My mother will be truly missed. All my love to you and all her loving fans. XOXO,' Lisa posted on Tuesday on her Facebook account.