Biography of actress Veronica Lake, the legends of Hollywood

Biography of Veronica Lake Still causes interest in people reviewing Hollywood movies of the 1940s. Do you also want to know how she built a career? Who did she love? Are you interested in the date and cause of her death? All the necessary information is posted in the article.

Veronica Lake: biography, family

Constance Francis Mary Okkelman is the name and surname that our heroine received at birth. She was born on November 14, 1922 in the American city of Brooklyn (New York). In what family was the future Hollywood star raised? Her father was a sailor. Harry Ockelman (Irishman by nationality) worked on a ship belonging to a large oil company.

When Veronica was 1 year old, her family moved to sunny Florida. But five years later they returned to Brooklyn. There the girl went to school, attended a dance studio and went in for sports.

At the age of 9 she lost her father. A man died in a technical accident. He was only 32 years old. Our heroine was hard to survive the death of the pope. And Veronica's mother married a second time a year later. Her chosen one was an old friend of the family - the artist Anthony Keane. He gave his stepdaughter his name.

After some time the girl with her mother and stepfather moved to Miami (Florida). Veronica continued to study at school. She had many friends and girlfriends. At the age of 16 she became the winner of a local beauty contest.

New life

In 1938 the family moved again. This time the girl with her mother and stepfather settled in Beverly Hills (California). Our heroine was able to enter the acting school Bliss-Hayden School in Hollywood. Teachers and fellow students knew her as Constance Keane.

Veronica Lake: movies

On the set of the film "Women's Hostel" (1939), a young and attractive actress was noticed by director John Farrow. Thanks to him, the girl got to the studio Paramount Pictures and met producer Arthur Hornblow, Jr.. Then came the signing of a contract beneficial for both sides. Arthur Hornblow invited the actress to take the pseudonym - Veronica Lake. And she agreed.

In 1941, a blond beauty starred in two pictures - "I need wings" and "Hold the Dawn". The audience and professionals appreciated her performance. And soon the actress received the first major role in the comedy "Wanderings of Sullivan."

Below are listed other works of Veronica Lake for the period from 1942 to 1970:

• "Arms for hire" (1942) - Ellen Graham.
• "Through pride, sadness and loss" (1943) - Olivia.
• "Blue Dahlia" (1946) - Joyce Harwood.
• "Saigon" (1948) - Susan Cleaver.
• "Feast of the flesh" (1970).

Husbands, children and divorces

Our heroine was a slender and beautiful girl. Behind her courtship and regular guys, and respectable men. In 1940, Veronica first married. Her chosen one was art director of PKO studio John Dietl. With this man, the actress wanted to live her whole life. In August 1941, Lake gave birth to a daughter, who was named Elaine Dittle. And before that, she signed a long-term contract with the studio Paramount Pictures.

By the beginning of filming, the beauty was at the 6th month of pregnancy. In order to "hide" the rounded forms of the actress, one of the best in Hollywood costume designers, Edith Head, was invited to the playground. In due time, Ailen's daughter was born.

In July 1943, during the filming of the next film, pregnant with a second child, Veronica fell and hit hard. Her bleeding occurred, leading to premature birth. July 8, 1943, the light appeared her son William. The kid lived only a week. He died of uremia. This terrible event affected the relationship between Veronica and her husband John. A few months later they divorced.

In 1944, the actress became the wife of director Andre de Toth. In this marriage, two children were born - the son of Andre Michael (born in 1945) and daughter of Diana (born in 1948). The movie career of our heroine slowly, but surely, was coming to its end. Due to the creative lack of demand, Lake Veronica increasingly began to drink. My husband could not get her out of a depressed state. And they finally broke up.

The third spouse of the Hollywood actress was the songwriter Joseph McCarthy. In 1955 they were married, and in 1959 they divorced. After that, Veronica started a brutal life: to drink alcohol, hooligan in public places and so on.

Interesting Facts

• The growth of the actress was 151 cm. Ironically, she often got high partners in films. On their background, Veronica looked just an inch. The only actor she looked harmoniously with was Alan Ladd.
• Our heroine became the prototype for Jessica Rabbit from the picture "Who Framed Roger Rabbit".

• Veronica Lake haircut Deserves special attention. After all, it was this actress who brought into fashion long curls that cover one eye. This style is called picaboo. Many modern girls like this style. And indeed, it looks original and feminine.
• Grateful offspring appreciated Veronica Lake's contribution to the development of cinematography. As a result, she was awarded a star on the Walk of Fame in Hollywood.

Death

The mental state of the actress worsened day by day. Our heroine developed paranoia. In early July 1973, she was taken to a clinic located in the city of Burlington (Vermont). Veronica Lake lay in the ward for several days. During this time, she had no one visitor. The three children of the actress were not interested in the state of the mother.

On July 7, 1973, the legend of Hollywood left this world. The cause of death is hepatitis and renal failure (consequences of alcoholism). Our heroine was cremated, and her ashes were scattered over the coast of the Virgin Islands. This was the last will of the artist.

Finally

The biography and cause of death of Veronica Lake are now known to you. In her life there were joyful and sad moments, ups and downs. Blessed memory of the actress ...