Janet Leigh was the only child of a couple who often moved from town to town. Living in apartments, Janet was a bright child who skipped several grades and finished high school when she was 15. A lonely child, she would spend much of her time at movie theaters. She was a student, studying music and psychology, at the University of the Pacific until she was "discovered" while visiting her parents in Northern California. Her father was working the desk at a ski resort where her mother worked as a maid. Retired MGM actress 'Norma Shearer' . Janet Leigh died at age 77 in her home in Beverly Hills, California on October 3, 2004.
Was discovered by Norma Shearer from a photo on the desk of Janets father.
Had appeared with third husband Tony Curtis in five films: Houdini , The Black Shield of Falworth , The Vikings , The Perfect Furlough and Who Was That Lady? .
Chosen by Empire magazine as one of the 100 Sexiest Stars in film history (#99).
Eloped at the age of 15 - marriage was later annulled. Thus, Tony Curtis was her third husband when she married him at 23.
Actually made Touch of Evil , with a broken arm. Her arm was in a cast when she showed up for production, so they took her arm out of the cast and used every trick they could to hide it.
She was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree at University of the Pacific in Stockton, California on May 14, 2004. She delivered an inspirational speech to graduating students, faculty, and administrators in accepting her award. Author Maxine Hong Kingston and US Solicitor General Ted Olson were also awarded honorary degrees on the same day.
Attended and graduated from the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California.
She and her actress daughter Jamie Lee Curtis appear together in John Carpenter s The Fog , though they do not meet until the films end. They also appear together in Halloween H20: 20 Years Later early in the film when Janet reports to Jamie on a problem with the girls shower at a private school.
In 2006, the city of Stockton, California renamed and dedicated a downtown cinema and plaza in her honor. "Janet Leigh Plaza" is in the central core of the redeveloped downtown two blocks away from the "Bob Hope Theater".
In Italy, most of her films were dubbed by either Renata Marini or Rosetta Calavetta. She was occasionally dubbed by Germana Calderini , Dhia Cristiani , Micaela Giustiniani and Fiorella Betti.
She was the daughter of Frederick Robert Morrison, and his wife, Helen Lita (Westergard). Her father had English, German, Northern Irish (Scots-Irish), and Swiss-German ancestry. Her mother was from a family of Danish immigrants.
Interviewed in Tom Weaver s book "Science Fiction Stars and Horror Heroes" (McFarland & Co., 1991).
Biography in: "The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives". Volume 7, 2003-2005, pages 326-329. Farmington Hills, MI: Thomson Gale, 2007.
In June 2010, Pacific Theatre, the campus movie theater of the University of the Pacific, was renamed and dedicated as Janet Leigh Theatre. The theater houses Janet Leigh movie posters, movie stills, college and family photos, and a display cabinet with many personal and professional Janet Leigh artifacts. The lavender gown worn by Ms. Leigh to the 1961 Academy Awards (and created by Edith Head ) is on display in the cabinet in the lobby.
She was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1777 Vine Street in Hollywood, California on February 8, 1960.
She was an active Democrat and appeared alongside Tony Curtis at the 1960 Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles, California.
Was portrayed by Scarlett Johansson in Hitchcock .
Gave birth to her 1st child at age 28, a daughter Kelly Curtis on June 17, 1956. Childs father was her 3rd ex-husband, Tony Curtis.
Gave birth to her 2nd child at age 31, a daughter Jamie Lee Curtis on November 22, 1958. Childs father was her 3rd ex-husband, Tony Curtis.
She was cremated after death and her ashes are interred at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles, California.
Became pregnant with her 1st child by husband Tony Curtis in May 1953 but she suffered a miscarriage on July 8, 1953 at age 26.
Was 2 months pregnant with her daughter Kelly Curtis when she completed filming Safari and 5 months pregnant with her when she recorded her appearance on "The Rosemary Clooney Show" .
Said on TCM that Van Johnson was responsible for her stage name. While they were filming The Romance of Rosy Ridge , he suggested she shorten her first name to Janet. He also thought that, since the film they were doing was a civil war drama, Lee would go well as her last name. But then he suggested she spell it Leigh. She was concerned there might a problem in being confused with Vivien Leigh ; but then Van Johnson reminded her of Van Heflin. He said "theres two Vans and it hasnt hurt either of us".
Janet Leigh wrote four books: "There Really Was a Hollywood" (1984--an autobiography); "Psycho: Behind the Scenes of the Classic Thriller" (1995, co-authored with Christopher Nickens); "House of Destiny" (1996--a novel); and "The Dream Factory" (2002--a novel).
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