Joan Leslie | Movie actress, 90
Joan Leslie, 90, whose expressive almond eyes and innocent beauty made her one of the most popular film ingénues of the 1930s and 1940s, died in Los Angeles on Monday, her family announced in an obituary. No cause was given.
Joan Leslie, 90, whose expressive almond eyes and innocent beauty made her one of the most popular film ingénues of the 1930s and 1940s, died in Los Angeles on Monday, her family announced in an obituary. No cause was given.
After signing with Warner Bros. at the age of 15, her first major role was in High Sierra as the disabled Velma opposite Humphrey Bogart and Ida Lupino.
In her 20-year career, the Detroit native performed in over 30 films. She romanced Gary Cooper in Sergeant York, danced with Fred Astaire in The Sky's the Limit, and sang with James Cagney in Yankee Doodle Dandy.
After marrying physician William Caldwell in 1950, she put her movie career on hold to raise her twin daughters, Patrice and Ellen, and work for charity.
Ms. Leslie continued to take occasional acting roles on TV until retiring in 1991. Her husband died in 2000.
- Associated Press