- Leila Hyams
Infobox actor
name = Leila Hyams
imagesize = 220px
caption = Leila Hyams
birthname =
birthdate = birth date|1905|5|1|mf=y
location =New York, New York ,United States
deathdate = death date and age|1977|12|4|1905|5|1|mf=y
deathplace =Bel Air, California ,United States
spouse = Phil Berg (1927–1977)
yearsactive = 1924–1936
notable role = Venus inFreaks (1932)Leila Hyams (
May 1 ,1905 –December 4 ,1977 ) was an Americanfilm actress.Biography
Born in
New York, New York tovaudeville comedy performers John Hyams and Leila McIntyre, Hyams appeared on-stage with her parents while still a child. As a teenager she worked as a model and become well known across the United States after appearing in a successful series of newspaper advertisements. This success led her to Hollywood.She made her first film in 1924, and with her blonde hair, delicate features, and good natured demeanour, was cast in a string of supporting roles, where she was required to do very little but smile and look pretty. She proved herself capable of handling the small roles she was assigned, and over a period of time she came to be taken seriously as an actress. By 1928 she was playing starring roles, achieving success in
MGM 's first "talkie " release, "Alias Jimmy Valentine " (1928) oppositeWilliam Haines ,Lionel Barrymore andKarl Dane . The following year she appeared in the popular murder mystery "The Thirteenth Chair ", a role that offered her the chance to display her dramatic abilities as a murder suspect.The quality of her parts continued to improve as the decade turned, including a role as Robert Montgomery's sister in the prison drama "The Big House" (1930) with
Chester Morris andWallace Beery , for which Hyams once again received positive reviews. She then appeared in "Surrender" (1931).Although she succeeded in films that required her to play pretty ingenues, and developed into a capable dramatic actress in 1930s crime melodramas, she is perhaps best remembered for two early 1930s
horror movie s, as the wise-cracking but kind hearted circus performer in "Freaks " (1932), and as the heroine in "Island of Lost Souls" (1933). Hyams was the original choice to play Jane in "Tarzan the Ape Man " (1932), but turned it down. The role was ultimately played in that film and severalTarzan films byMaureen O'Sullivan .She also appeared in the controversial
Jean Harlow film "Red-Headed Woman " (1932), the musical comedy "The Big Broadcast " (1932) withBing Crosby ,George Burns andGracie Allen , and was widely praised for her comedic performance in "Ruggles of Red Gap " (1935) oppositeCharles Laughton andCharlie Ruggles .After ten years and fifty films, Hyams retired from acting in 1936, but remained part of the Hollywood community for the rest of her life. She was married to the agent
Phil Berg from 1927 until her death inBel Air, California , aged 72.External links
*imdb name|id=0404885|name=Leila Hyams
* [http://www.leilahyams.com Fan website]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=astTQs-kk-0 Clip of Leila Hyams at YouTube.com]
*Find A Grave|id=12795575
* [http://film.virtual-history.com/person.php?personid=700 Leila Hyams at Virtual History]Persondata
NAME= Hyams, Leila
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION=Actor
DATE OF BIRTH=May 1 ,1905
PLACE OF BIRTH=New York, New York ,United States
DATE OF DEATH=December 4 ,1977
PLACE OF DEATH=Bel Air, California ,United States
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