Leila Hyams 001

A photo of Leila Hyams (1905-1977) Hollywood actress born 1 May 1905 in New York City to actors John Jacob Hyams (1869-1940) and Leila D'Avignon McIntyre (1882-1953). She first appeared in vaudeville with her parents when she was six months old and became a successful model in her teens. Her film debut was in "Sandra" (1924) aged eighteen. She went on to act in more than 50 films from 1924 to 1936 including MGM's first talking picture, "Alias Jimmy Valentine" (1928). She is best remembered for her role in "Freaks" (1932) and "Island of Lost Souls" (1932). She married agent Philip Berg (1902-1986) in 1927 and died 4 December 1977 in Los Angeles, California aged 72.