Will and Grace stars pay tribute to Shelley Morrison after actress dies aged 83

Shelley Morrison, the actress best known for playing a memorable maid on the hit TV comedy Will and Grace has died.

Publicist Lori DeWaal said Morrison died on Sunday of heart failure at a Los Angeles hospital.

She was 83.

Morrison played Rosario Salazar on 68 episodes of “Will and Grace” from 1999 to 2006.

The stars of the hit NBC sitcom paid tribute to Morrison on social media following news of her death.

"Just got a bulletin on my phone that Shelley Morrison has passed," Megan Mullally, who plays Karen Walker, wrote.

"My heart is heavy. Putting Shelley, her beloved husband Walter & their children in the light. Thank you for your friendship & partnership, Shell. You accomplished wonderful things in this world. You will be missed."

Debra Messing, who plays Grace, hailed Morrison as "a kind soul with a huge heart" in an Instagram tribute.

"Oh, Shelley... what a loss," she wrote. "Our dear Rosario has passed on. Shelley had a huge career that spanned decades, but she will always be our dear Rosie.

"She was a kind soul with a huge heart and always had a smile on her face. All my love to Walter and the entire family."

Eric McCormack, who plays Wills, wrote: "Shelley was a beautiful soul & a wonderful actor. Her work as Rosario, season after season was as nuanced and real as it was hysterical. She will be missed by everyone at #WillandGrace, she's a huge part of it. Sending so much love to Walter and Shelley's whole family."

Before her appearance on the comedy show, she was best known for playing Sister Sixto on The Flying Nun with Sally Field from 1967 to 1970.

She also appeared in films alongside Gregory Peck, Anthony Quinn and Salma Hayek.

Additional reporting by PA Media