Suzanna Leigh

Suzanna Leigh (born Sandra Eileen Anne Smith) (26 July 1945 – 11 December 2017) was a British actress, known for her film and television roles in the 1960s and 1970s.

Early life and education

Born Sandra Eileen Anne Smith on 26 July 1945, Leigh grew up in Berkshire, England, and later went to convent schools outside London. She began working in films while still a child, appearing as an extra in several British productions. She changed her name to Suzanna Leigh after entering film, whilst under the tutelage of her godmother, Vivien Leigh.

Career

Leigh's film roles include the love interest of Elvis Presley in Paradise, Hawaiian Style (1966), a stewardess in the comedy Boeing Boeing (1965), and as the frail heroine in a couple of Hammer films - The Lost Continent (1968) and Lust for a Vampire(1971).

She starred in the cult British horror films The Deadly Bees (1966) and The Fiend (1972). In 1974 she starred as Amber in Son of Dracula.[5] In 2015, she was a featured player in the film, Grace of the Father. She wrote a 2000 autobiography, Paradise, Suzanna Style.

Illness

Leigh was diagnosed with ‘stage-four’ liver cancer in September 2016 and died in December 2017.

Filmography

• 1956: The Silken Affair (uncredited) – Minor Role
• 1958: Tom Thumb (uncredited) – Extra in 'Dancing Shoes' sequence
• 1960: Oscar Wilde (uncredited) – Extra
• 1961: Bomb in the High Street – Jackie
• 1965: The Pleasure Girls – Dee
• 1965: Boeing Boeing – Vicky Hawkins/British United
• 1966: Paradise, Hawaiian Style – Judy Hudson (Friday)
• 1966: The Deadly Bees – Vicki Robbins
• 1967: Deadlier Than the Male – Grace
• 1968: The Lost Continent – Unity Webster
• 1968: Subterfuge – Donetta
• 1971: Lust for a Vampire – Janet Playfair
• 1972: The Fiend – Paddy Lynch
• 1974: Son of Dracula – Amber

Television

• 1963: It Happened Like This – Amanda Morris (1 episode, 1963)
• 1964: The Saint (TV series) – Lilla McAndrew (1 episode, 1964)
• 1966: The Wednesday Play – Elaine (1 episode, 1966)
• 1966: Trois étoiles en Touraine (TV)
• 1969: Journey to the Unknown – Vickie (1 episode, 1969)
• 1970: ITV Playhouse (1 episode, 1970)
• 1971: The Persuaders! – Emily Major (1 episode, 1971)
• 1973: Docteur Caraïbes (TV series) – Laura
• 1978: The Chiffy Kids – Miss Armitage (1 episode, 1978)

Writings

• Paradise, Suzanna Style.
• 2014: "Thank you, Lord" in Chicken Soup for the Soul: "Touched by an Angel"