Who Is Veronica Lake? Age, Biography and Wiki
Born on November 14, 1922, Veronica Lake was a prominent American actress known for her work in classic Hollywood films during the 1940s. This year, 2025, marks her posthumous recognition as she continues to be remembered for her distinctive hairstyle and performances in film noir classics. Lake's remarkable career spanned over two decades, leaving an indelible mark on the film industry.
| Occupation | Stage Actress |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | November 14, 1922 |
| Age | 50 Years |
| Birth Place | New York City, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Scorpio |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 7 July, 1973 |
| Died Place | Burlington, Vermont, U.S. |
Popularity
Veronica Lake's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Veronica Lake was known for her petite frame, standing at approximately 5 feet 2 inches (157 cm) tall. Throughout her career, her weight fluctuated between 110 to 120 pounds (50 to 54 kg). Her charming figure and striking features contributed to her image as a leading lady in Hollywood.
- Height: 5'2" (157 cm)
- Weight: 110-120 lbs (50-54 kg)
- Measurements: 36-25-36 (approximately)
The film became a big hit, and made the teenage Lake a star overnight; even before the film came out, Lake was dubbed "the find of 1941". During filming, Lake's long blonde hair accidentally fell over her right eye during a take and created a "peek-a-boo" effect. "I was playing a sympathetic drunk, I had my arm on a table ... it slipped ...
and my hair – it was always baby fine and had this natural break – fell over my face ... It became my trademark and purely by accident", she recalled. The film's success influenced women to copy the style, which became Lake's trademark.
However, Lake did not think this meant she would have a long career and maintained her goal was to be a surgeon. "Only the older actors keep on a long time ... I don't want to hang on after I've reached a peak. I'll go back to medical school", she said.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Veronica Lake's personal life was marked by several significant relationships. She was married twice—first to actor Anthony Alda and later to director André De Toth. Throughout her life, Lake garnered attention not just for her on-screen roles but also for her captivating relationships. As of 2025, Lake remains a figure of fascination for those exploring the complexities of her romantic life and the challenges she faced in her marriage.
Her father, Harry Eugene Ockelman, was of German and Irish descent, and worked for an oil company aboard a ship. He died in an oil tanker explosion in Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania in 1932. Lake's mother, Constance Frances Charlotta (née Trimble; 1902–1992), of Irish descent, in 1933 married Anthony Keane, a newspaper staff artist also of Irish descent, and Lake began using his surname.
Net Worth and Salary
Veronica Lake's net worth at her peak was estimated to be approximately $3 million (adjusted for inflation), a considerable sum during the height of her career. Her earnings primarily stemmed from her acting roles in films and television, along with various endorsements. Even decades after her passing, Lake's legacy continues to inspire new generations, keeping her financial impact relevant in the entertainment industry.
Career, Business and Investments
Lake's career took off in the late 1930s, skyrocketing during the 1940s due to her roles in films like "Sullivan's Travels" and "The Blue Dahlia." She was known for her innovative roles, which often showcased her versatility as an actress. Beyond acting, Veronica Lake had interests in investment and charitable contributions, which further established her influence beyond the silver screen.
Despite the challenges she faced in Hollywood, including typecasting and personal struggles, Lake's determination led her to various successful ventures, including stage performances and appearances on television, allowing her legacy to persist well beyond her lifetime.
Constance Frances Marie Ockelman (November 14, 1922 – July 7, 1973), known professionally as Veronica Lake, was an American film, stage, and television actress.
Lake was best known for her femme fatale roles in films noir with Alan Ladd during the 1940s, her peek-a-boo hairstyle, and films such as Sullivan's Travels (1941) and I Married a Witch (1942). By the late 1940s, Lake's career began to decline, due in part to her alcoholism.
She made only one film in the 1950s, but had several guest appearances on television. She returned to the big screen in the film Footsteps in the Snow (1966), but the role failed to revitalize her career.
Social Network
While Veronica Lake was not part of the digital age, there are multiple fan pages and tribute sites dedicated to her memory and influence. These platforms serve as social hubs for fans of classic cinema, providing a space for discussions about her movies, style, and impact on the film industry.
For those seeking to learn more about Lake's enduring influence, exploring her social media legacy through these fan-driven sites can offer insight into both her career and continuing relevance.
Lake attracted the interest of Fred Wilcox, an assistant director, who shot a test scene of her performing from a play and showed it to an agent. The agent, in turn, showed it to producer Arthur Hornblow Jr., who was looking for a new girl to play the part of a nightclub singer in a military drama, I Wanted Wings (1941).
Hornblow changed the actress's name to Veronica Lake. According to him, her eyes, "calm and clear like a blue lake", were the inspiration for her new name.
Education
Veronica Lake attended various schools during her youth, often moving due to her father's military career. She ultimately graduated from the Blake School and later attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she pursued studies in acting. Though she left college before completing her degree to pursue her acting career, her education provided a foundation for her successes in the industry.
In 1938, the Keanes moved to Beverly Hills, California. While briefly under contract to MGM, Lake enrolled in that studio's acting farm, the Bliss-Hayden School of Acting (now the Beverly Hills Playhouse). She made friends with a girl named Gwen Horn and accompanied her when Horn went to audition at RKO.
She appeared in the play Thought for Food in January 1939. A theatre critic from the Los Angeles Times called her "a fetching little trick" for her appearance in She Made Her Bed.
