Lila Leeds was an American actress who is best known for Wild Weed, Moonrise, and Lady in the Lake. She was born on January 28, 1928, in Dodge City, Kansas, and passed away on September 15, 1999, in Canoga Park, California.
Personal and Family Life
Lila Leeds was born as Lila Lee Wilkinson to Preston and Leta Wilkinson and grew up in Clovis, New Mexico. She had one brother named Robert. Leeds started her career in Hollywood at a young age, working as a dancer and eventually being discovered at a local theater. She married three times, her notable spouses being Dean O. McCollom and Irvin Rochlin, and she had three children: Shawn, Ivan, and Laura.
Career Challenges
Leeds’ career faced significant obstacles after her arrest with actor Robert Mitchum for drug possession in 1948. Following her prison sentence, she struggled to find acting roles and turned to nightclubs to support herself. Despite her initial fame, Leeds found it hard to regain her status in Hollywood, leading her to leave Los Angeles for many years.
Death and Legacy
Lila Leeds died of a heart attack on September 15, 1999, at the age of 71. After a troubled career and personal life, she had moved away from the film industry and engaged in charitable work in her later years, eventually passing without much public notice. Her life story reflects the challenges faced by many actors in Hollywood, especially regarding issues of addiction and career recovery.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Lady in the Lake | 1946-12-19 | Receptionist |
| Wild Weed | 1949-07-20 | Anne Lester |
| Moonrise | 1948-10-01 | Julie |
| The Show-Off | 1946-12-01 | Flo |
| I Love My Husband, But! | 1946-12-07 | Blonde Trying on Hat (uncredited) |
| Always Together | 1947-12-10 | Blonde (uncredited) |
| So You Want to Be a Detective | 1948-06-26 | Veronica Vacuum (uncredited) |
| So You Want to Be a Gambler | 1948-02-14 | Blonde at Dice Table (uncredited) |
| Green Dolphin Street | 1947-01-15 | Eurasian Girl (uncredited) |
| The House Across the Street | 1949-09-10 | Billie Martin (uncredited) |
| April Showers | 1948-03-27 | Society Girl (uncredited) |