Kathryn Joosten, a character actress best known for playing the nosey Karen McCluskey on hit US TV show Desperate Housewives, has died aged 72.

Joosten, who had battled lung cancer for years, died today in Los Angeles, her publicist Nadine Jolson said.

Joosten won two Emmy awards for her portrayal of Mrs McCluskey, the cranky but loveable pensioner who kept a close eye on her Wisteria Lane neighbours on Desperate Housewives.

The hit TV show ended its run on ABC last month with a series finale in which Joosten's character passed away. Her character's battle with cancer was a storyline in the show.

She also appeared on NBC's The West Wing as Mrs Landingham, the president's trusted secretary.

Over the years, she had roles in a number of other popular shows, including a recurring part on Dharma and Greg and guest spots on shows including Ally McBeal and Scrubs.

Active in animal rights causes, she appeared with other celebrities at a 2008 news conference in Los Angeles to ask the city to abandon a project for a 40 million dollar elephant enclosure at the Los Angeles Zoo.