Thelma Todd American actress of the first half of the twentieth century Date of Birth: 29.07.1905 Country: USA

Biography of Thelma Todd

Thelma Todd, the legendary American actress of the first half of the twentieth century, was born in 1902 in Lawrence, Massachusetts. She was a diligent student, aspiring to become a schoolteacher, and had all the necessary qualities - intelligence, hard work, and excellent academic results. However, her life took an unexpected turn due to her incredible beauty, which caught the attention of Hollywood agents who discovered her after she won the "Miss Massachusetts" beauty pageant in 1925.

From that moment on, Thelma Todd's life changed drastically as she embarked on a career in the film industry. Although success did not come easily, she gradually gained experience and skill through numerous roles in various films. In 1931, she appeared in 18 films, and in 1932, she landed roles in 16 films, including comedies like "Horse Feathers" and "This Is the Night," as well as dramas like "Counsellor at Law."

Thelma Todd became known as "The Ice Cream Blonde" and "Hot Toddy," and her popularity as a blonde beauty knew no bounds. She captivated hearts effortlessly, but unknowingly also made enemies along the way. In 1934, she opened a successful restaurant called "Thelma Todd's Sidewalk Cafe." By that time, she was young, stunningly beautiful, and at the height of her career. However, tragedy struck on December 15, 1935, when Thelma Todd was found dead in her own car, having been poisoned by carbon monoxide.

Her sudden death shocked America, and some speculated that she was involved in the criminal activities of gangsters Luciano and Siegel. It was discovered that her restaurant, the "Sidewalk Cafe," actually belonged to the mafia. Todd, who was extremely popular at the time, may have thought she was invincible. Rumors circulated that she had given control of the restaurant to her lover, producer Roland West, without informing Luciano. Bugsy Siegel, a well-known figure in Hollywood, received the order to kill Todd. The police could never uncover the truth behind her death.

Despite initial reports suggesting suicide, some diligent journalists conducted their own investigation and found several interesting facts. For instance, Todd's body was found in her own "Packard" car, with a few dried blood drops on her face and her clothing in disarray. The car was parked in the "Sidewalk Cafe" garage, in Todd's personal booth. The autopsy, which took place on the same day, confirmed that she died from carbon monoxide poisoning early in the morning on December 15. Green peas and beans were found in her stomach, but the menu at the reception she attended the previous evening, hosted by her colleague Ida Lupino at the "Trocadero," did not include these foods. The question of how they ended up in Todd's stomach remained unanswered.

Some guests at the "Trocadero" remembered that Todd mentioned she was going to meet a young man after the event, without specifying his name. However, neither the police nor the most astute journalists were able to identify the mysterious stranger. Only speculations remained, but as it is known, accusations cannot be built on speculations. Thus, America lost a bright star, a talented actress, and a young woman full of beauty and the desire to live. Her final works included the musical comedy "The Bohemian Girl," "Hot Money," and "All-American Toothache," in which she finally played the lead role. Throughout her short career, Thelma Todd appeared in over 120 films.