The Life And Legacy Of Hollywood Icon Vera Miles

Who is Vera Miles?

Vera Miles (born Vera June Ralston) was an American actress who appeared in films and television from the 1940s to the 1990s. Miles is perhaps best known for her roles in Alfred Hitchcock's The Wrong Man (1956) and Psycho (1960).

Miles was born in Boise City, Oklahoma, in 1929. Her mother was a schoolteacher, and her father was a farmer. Miles began her career as a model before making her film debut in 1948. She went on to appear in over 50 films, including The Searchers (1956), The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962), and The Blackboard Jungle (1955).

Personal details of Vera Miles:

Miles's acting career began to decline in the 1970s, and she eventually retired from acting in the 1990s. She died in Los Angeles, California, in 2019.

Vera Miles

Vera Miles was an American actress who appeared in films and television from the 1940s to the 1990s. Miles is perhaps best known for her roles in Alfred Hitchcock's The Wrong Man (1956) and Psycho (1960).

• Actress
• Hitchcock blonde
• The Wrong Man
• Psycho
• Golden Globe nominee
• Emmy Award winner

Vera Miles was a talented actress who starred in some of Alfred Hitchcock's most iconic films. Her performance in Psycho is particularly memorable, as she plays the ill-fated Marion Crane. Miles was also nominated for a Golden Globe Award for her role in The Wrong Man and won an Emmy Award for her work on the television series Run for Your Life.

1. Actress

Vera Miles was an actress who appeared in films and television from the 1940s to the 1990s. Miles is perhaps best known for her roles in Alfred Hitchcock's The Wrong Man (1956) and Psycho (1960).

Miles's acting career began in the early 1950s, when she appeared in a number of small roles in films such as The Searchers (1956) and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962). She also appeared in a number of television shows, including The Twilight Zone and Alfred Hitchcock Presents.

Miles's breakthrough role came in 1956, when she starred in Alfred Hitchcock's The Wrong Man. Miles played the wife of a musician who is wrongly accused of murder. Miles's performance was praised by critics, and she was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress.

Miles went on to star in a number of other films, including Psycho (1960), The Birds (1963), and The Blackboard Jungle (1955). She also appeared in a number of television shows, including Run for Your Life and The FBI.

Miles retired from acting in the 1990s. She died in Los Angeles, California, in 2019.

Miles was a talented actress who starred in some of Alfred Hitchcock's most iconic films. Her performance in Psycho is particularly memorable, as she plays the ill-fated Marion Crane. Miles was also nominated for a Golden Globe Award for her role in The Wrong Man and won an Emmy Award for her work on the television series Run for Your Life.

2. Hitchcock blonde

Hitchcock's idealized leading lady: A term coined by film critic Robin Wood, the 'Hitchcock blonde' is a recurring character type found in the films of Alfred Hitchcock. Often portrayed as cool, elegant, and mysterious, these characters often find themselves entangled in dangerous situations, and their fates are often left ambiguous.

• Physical Attributes
  

  Hitchcock blondes are often physically attractive, with fair hair, pale skin, and a slim build. They are often dressed in stylish clothing that accentuates their femininity.

• Psychological Profile
  

  Hitchcock blondes are often complex and enigmatic characters. They may appear innocent and vulnerable, but they can also be strong-willed and resourceful. They are often torn between their desire for security and their need for excitement.

• Role in the Narrative
  

  Hitchcock blondes often play a pivotal role in the narrative. They may be the object of the protagonist's desire, or they may be the catalyst for the protagonist's downfall. They often represent the danger and excitement that the protagonist must confront.

• Examples
  

  Some of the most famous Hitchcock blondes include Grace Kelly in Rear Window (1954), Kim Novak in Vertigo (1958), and Janet Leigh in Psycho (1960). Vera Miles also played a Hitchcock blonde in The Wrong Man (1956).

The Hitchcock blonde is a complex and fascinating character type. She represents the beauty, danger, and mystery that Hitchcock found so alluring. Vera Miles was one of the most iconic Hitchcock blondes, and her performance in The Wrong Man is one of the most memorable examples of this character type.

3. The Wrong Man

The Wrong Man (1956) is a classic film noir directed by Alfred Hitchcock. The film tells the story of Manny Balestrero (Henry Fonda), a musician who is wrongly accused of robbery. Vera Miles plays Rose Balestrero, Manny's wife. Rose is a strong and supportive woman who believes in her husband's innocence. She stands by Manny throughout the ordeal, even when the evidence against him seems overwhelming.

Miles' performance in The Wrong Man is one of the most memorable of her career. She brings a great deal of depth and nuance to the role of Rose. Rose is a complex character who is both strong and vulnerable. She is fiercely loyal to Manny, but she is also aware of the danger that he is in. Miles captures all of these complexities in her performance.

The Wrong Man is a powerful and suspenseful film. It is also a film that is deeply moving. Miles' performance is a major reason why the film is so effective. She brings a great deal of heart and humanity to the role of Rose. As a result, the audience is able to connect with the characters on a deep level.

The Wrong Man is an important film in Miles' career. It was the film that made her a star. It also helped to establish her as one of Hitchcock's favorite actresses. Miles went on to star in several other Hitchcock films, including Psycho (1960) and The Birds (1963).

4. Psycho

Psycho (1960) is a classic horror film directed by Alfred Hitchcock. The film tells the story of Marion Crane (Janet Leigh), a young woman who steals $40,000 from her employer and goes on the run. She checks into the Bates Motel, where she is murdered by Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins), the motel's proprietor.

Vera Miles plays Lila Crane, Marion's sister. Lila becomes suspicious of Norman after Marion disappears, and she goes to the Bates Motel to investigate. Lila is a strong and determined woman, but she is also vulnerable. She is unaware of the danger that she is in, and she becomes Norman's next victim.

• Marion Crane's Disappearance
  

  Lila's investigation into Marion's disappearance is a major plot point in Psycho. Lila is the one who discovers that Marion has been murdered, and she is the one who brings Norman to justice. Lila's determination to find her sister is a testament to her strength and courage.

• Norman Bates' Mother
  

  Lila's investigation also leads her to discover the truth about Norman Bates' mother. Norman's mother is a domineering and possessive woman, and she has a profound influence on Norman's personality. Lila's discovery of Norman's mother helps her to understand Norman's behavior.

• The Shower Scene
  

  The shower scene is one of the most famous scenes in film history. In this scene, Marion is murdered by Norman Bates. The scene is both terrifying and suspenseful, and it is a major turning point in the film. Lila's discovery of Marion's body in the shower is a shocking moment, and it sets the stage for the rest of the film.

• The Ending
  

  The ending of Psycho is one of the most iconic endings in film history. In the final scene, Norman Bates is arrested for Marion's murder. Lila is present at Norman's arrest, and she is the one who delivers the final line of the film: "He's Norman Bates." Lila's words are a powerful indictment of Norman, and they serve as a reminder of the danger that he poses to society.

Psycho is a complex and disturbing film, but it is also a masterpiece of cinema. Vera Miles' performance as Lila Crane is one of the most memorable performances in the film. Miles brings a great deal of strength and vulnerability to the role, and she helps to make Lila a truly sympathetic character.

5. Golden Globe Nominee

Vera Miles was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for her role in the film The Wrong Man (1956). The Golden Globe Awards are presented annually by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association to recognize outstanding achievement in film and television. Miles' nomination is a testament to her talent and skill as an actress.

• Recognition for Outstanding Performance
  

  A Golden Globe nomination is a prestigious honor that recognizes an actor's or actress's outstanding performance in a film or television show. Miles' nomination for her role in The Wrong Man is a testament to her ability to bring a complex and challenging character to life.

• Critical Acclaim
  

  A Golden Globe nomination is a sign of critical acclaim. It means that Miles' performance in The Wrong Man was recognized by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association as one of the best performances of the year.

• Career Boost
  

  A Golden Globe nomination can be a major career boost for an actor or actress. It can lead to more high-profile roles and opportunities.

• Legacy
  

  A Golden Globe nomination is a permanent part of an actor's or actress's legacy. It is a testament to their talent and skill, and it can help to ensure that their work is remembered for years to come.

Vera Miles' Golden Globe nomination is a significant achievement in her career. It is a testament to her talent and skill as an actress, and it is a reminder of her lasting legacy in the film industry.

6. Emmy Award winner

Vera Miles was an Emmy Award-winning actress. She won the award for her role in the television series Run for Your Life.

• Outstanding Performance
  

  Miles won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Drama Series. This award recognizes her exceptional acting skills and her ability to bring a complex and challenging character to life.

• Critical Acclaim
  

  Miles' Emmy Award win is a testament to her critical acclaim. The Emmy Awards are voted on by a jury of television professionals, so Miles' win is a clear indication that her work was highly respected by her peers.

• Career Boost
  

  Winning an Emmy Award can be a major career boost for an actor or actress. It can lead to more high-profile roles and opportunities.

• Legacy
  

  Miles' Emmy Award win is a permanent part of her legacy as an actress. It is a testament to her talent and skill, and it will help to ensure that her work is remembered for years to come.

Vera Miles' Emmy Award win is a significant achievement in her career. It is a testament to her talent and skill as an actress, and it is a reminder of her lasting legacy in the television industry.

Frequently Asked Questions about Vera Miles

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Vera Miles, an American actress who appeared in films and television from the 1940s to the 1990s. Miles is perhaps best known for her roles in Alfred Hitchcock's The Wrong Man (1956) and Psycho (1960).

Question 1: What was Vera Miles's birth name?

Vera Miles was born Vera June Ralston.

Question 2: When and where was Vera Miles born?

Miles was born on August 23, 1929, in Boise City, Oklahoma.

Question 3: When did Vera Miles die?

Vera Miles died on December 11, 2019, in Los Angeles, California.

Question 4: What was Vera Miles's most famous role?

Miles is perhaps best known for her role as Marion Crane in Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho (1960).

Question 5: Did Vera Miles win any awards?

Yes, Miles won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Drama Series for her role in the television series Run for Your Life.

Summary: Vera Miles was a talented actress who starred in some of Alfred Hitchcock's most iconic films. Her performance in Psycho is particularly memorable, as she plays the ill-fated Marion Crane. Miles was also nominated for a Golden Globe Award for her role in The Wrong Man and won an Emmy Award for her work on the television series Run for Your Life.

Transition to the next article section: Vera Miles's career spanned over four decades, and she appeared in over 50 films and television shows. Her work is a testament to her talent and skill as an actress, and she will continue to be remembered for her iconic roles for years to come.

Vera Miles

Vera Miles, an American actress who appeared in films and television from the 1940s to the 1990s, left a lasting legacy in the entertainment industry. Her performances in Alfred Hitchcock's The Wrong Man (1956) and Psycho (1960) solidified her status as a Hollywood icon.

Miles's talent and skill as an actress were recognized with an Emmy Award for her role in the television series Run for Your Life. Her Golden Globe nomination for her performance in The Wrong Man is a further testament to her critical acclaim.

Vera Miles's contributions to the film and television industry will continue to be remembered and appreciated for years to come. Her iconic roles, both in Hitchcock's masterpieces and beyond, have left an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of audiences around the world.