Suzanna Leigh was an English-American actress who is best known for her roles in Deadlier Than the Male, The Lost Continent, and Lust for a Vampire.
Personal and Family Life
Suzanna Leigh, born Sandra Anne Eleen Smith on July 26, 1945, in Belgrave, England, spent her early years in convent schools near London. She was the daughter of an auto engine manufacturer and received her stage name from her godmother, actress Vivien Leigh. She began her acting career as a young girl and gained recognition in the entertainment industry.
Career Highlights
Leigh started her career appearing as an extra in films like Tom Thumb (1958) and later starred in the French TV series Trois étoiles en Touraine (1966). She caught the attention of Hollywood producer Hal B. Wallis and moved to the United States for a role in Boeing, Boeing (1965). Despite her success in Hollywood, she returned to England to continue her career in movies, especially in thriller genres.
Death and Legacy
Suzanna Leigh passed away on December 11, 2017, in Winter Garden, Florida, due to liver cancer. She was remembered for her contributions to film and television, along with her autobiography, “Paradise, Suzanna Style,” which reflects on her unique experiences in the entertainment industry.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Deadlier Than the Male | 1967-02-12 | Grace |
| The Lost Continent | 1968-06-19 | Unity Webster |
| Lust for a Vampire | 1971-01-17 | Janet Playfair |
| The Pleasure Girls | 1965-05-01 | Dee |
| The Deadly Bees | 1966-12-23 | Vicki Robbins |
| Paradise, Hawaiian Style | 1966-04-23 | Judy Hudson (Friday) |
| The Fiend | 1972-04-30 | Patricia ‘Paddy’ Lynch |
| Bomb in the High Street | 1961-12-01 | Jackie |
| Son of Dracula | 1974-04-19 | Amber |
| Subterfuge | 1968-12-12 | Donetta |
| Boeing, Boeing | 1965-12-22 | Vicky Hawkins / British United |
| All in a Good Cause | 1978-01-01 | Miss Armitage |
| Docteur Caraïbes | 1970-07-29 | |
| The Persuaders! | 1971-09-17 | Emily Major |
| The Saint | 1962-10-04 | Lilla McAndrew |