Thelma Todd

One theory suggested that the gangster Lucky Luciano had tried unsuccessfully to coerce Todd into allowing gambling on her premises, and when she declared that would happen "over my dead body" had replied that he could arrange that. Actor Roddy McDowall, who co-starred with her in a 1966 film, said: "no actress was ever so good in so many bad films.". Police were offered other alternatives throughout their investigations. Although Weld had the final say in such matters, many question the quality of advice her agent was providing. She had been involved in an argument with her then boyfriend Roland West, but her friends stated that she was in good spirits and were aware of nothing unusual in her life that could suggest a reason for committing suicide. In part, her lack of great success was as a result of her turning down roles in films that were great successes and that made mega-stars out of others such as Lolita, the lead in Bonnie and Clyde, True Grit and in Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice. She had spent the last night of her life at a party hosted by entertainer Stanley Lupino and his daughter, the actress Ida Lupino. However, Weld never achieved the level of stardom many thought her looks and talent could bring.

Police investigating her death determined that Todd had a wide circle of friends and associates and a busy social life. Although frequently typecast as the "blonde in the tight sweater," both the critics and working members of the film industry acknowledged her talent. On the morning of December 16, 1935, she was found dead in her car inside her garage and her death was determined to have been caused by carbon monoxide poisoning. Tuesday Weld appeared with Jackie Gleason and Steve McQueen in the 1963 comedy/drama, Soldier in the Rain and although her performance was well received, the film was only a minor success. In the early 30's she commenced a successful commercial venture when she opened a cafe at Pacific Palisades called "Thelma Todd's Sidewalk Cafe" which attracted a diverse clientele of Hollywood celebrities as well as gangsters and criminals. However, in Hollywood, her reputation for a reckless lifestyle was fodder for the gossip columnists and Louella Parsons reportedly said, as politely as possible, that "Miss Weld is not a very good representative for the motion picture industry." The romance with Elvis did not last long after Colonel Tom Parker cautioned Presley against the relationship, fearful it would harm his image. During her career she appeared in more than 130 films and was publicised as "The Ice Cream Blonde" and "Hot Toddy". In 1961, after starring opposite Elvis Presley in Wild in the Country, the two began an off-screen romance.

She became highly regarded as a capable film comedienne and also appeared successfully in such dramas as the original 1931 film version of The Maltese Falcon. Added to her problem in a business where looks are everything, she had to deal with a weight problem throughout most of her life. With the advent of the talkies, Todd was given opportunity to expand her roles by the producer Hal Roach who contracted her to appear with such comedic stars of the day as Harry Langdon, Laurel & Hardy and The Marx Brothers and she appeared as the lead actress in a series of comedy films with actresses Zasu Pitts and Patsy Kelly. Physically, she appeared well beyond her twelve years and at that age had already began dating older boys, losing her virginity in a hapless relationship that, combined with her other problems, led to a suicide attempt. During the silent era, she appeared in numerous supporting roles that made full use of her beauty but gave her little chance to act. Without parental guidance from a mother with whom she would have a lifelong strained relationship, by age ten she had begun smoking cigarettes and using alcohol. While representing her home state in the "Miss America" pageant later that year she was spotted by a Hollywood talent scout and began her career in film. The product of a dysfunctional family, she was a very troubled girl who, at age nine, suffered a nervous breakdown.

She intended to become a school teacher but in her late teens began entering beauty pageants winning the title of "Miss Massachusetts" in 1925. Unfortunately, despite her talent, beauty, and early success, Tuesday Weld is frequently described as the poster-girl for self-destruction. Todd was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts and as a child was a bright student who achieved good academic results. Although Weld was only a cast member for a few months, the show gave her considerable national publicity and she was named a co-winner of a "Most Promising Newcomer" award at the Golden Globe Awards. Thelma Todd (July 29, 1905 - December 16, 1935) was a American film actress. In 1959, still only sixteen years old, she was given a role in the CBS television show, The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis. In the film, Connie Francis did the vocals for Weld's singing parts.

She then got the lead in a film celebrating the advent of Rock and Roll called Rock, Rock, Rock that featured record promoter Alan Freed and singers Chuck Berry, Frankie Lymon, and Johnny Burnette, plus others. Using her resumé from modelling, her mother got her an agent and Tuesday Weld made her acting debut on television at age 12 and her motion picture debut at the age of 13 in a bit role in the Alfred Hitchcock crime drama, The Wrong Man. Weld's mother took advantage of her beauty and found work for her as a child model that provided income to help sustain the family. Born Susan Ker Weld in New York City, her father died when she was a child of three and her widowed mother and two siblings were left in difficult financial circumstances.

Tuesday Weld, born August 27, 1943, is an American film actress. The Wrong Man (1956). Rock, Rock, Rock! (1956). The Five Pennies (1959).

Return to Peyton Place (1961). Wild in the Country (1961). Bachelor Flat (1962). Soldier in the Rain (1963).

The Cincinnati Kid (1965). Lord Love a Duck (1966). Pretty Poison (1968). I Walk the Line (1970).

Madame X (1981) (TV). Thief (1981). Author! Author! (1982). The Rainmaker (1982) (TV).

Once Upon a Time in America (1984). Heartbreak Hotel (1988). Falling Down (1993). Feeling Minnesota (1996).

Investigating Sex (2001). Chelsea Walls (2002).