Leila Hyams
As Robert Montgomery's sister in the Chester Morris prison drama The Big House (1930), Hyams once again received positive reviews and the quality of her parts continued to improve.
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 movies, as the wise-cracking but kind hearted circus performer in Freaks (1932), and as the heroine in Island of Lost Souls (1933).
She also appeared in the controversial Jean Harlow film Red-Headed Woman (1932), the musical comedy The Big Broadcast (1932) with Bing Crosby, George Burns and Gracie Allen, and was widely praised for her comedic performance in Ruggles of Red Gap (1935).
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 in Bel Air, California.
Leila Hyams Facts
Occupation | Actress |
Birthday | May 1, 1905 |
Sign | Taurus |
Birthplace | New York, New York, USA |
Date of death | December 4, 1977 (age 72) |
Height | 5' 4½" (1m64) How tall is Leila Hyams compared to you? |
Selected Filmography
Not available. |