About

Known credits:
12
Birthday:
1935-05-27
Place of birth:
Chelmsford, Essex, England
Website:
N/A

Carole Lesley

Overview

Maureen Rippingale (27 May 1935, in Chelmsford – 28 February 1974, in New Barnet), known professionally as Carole Lesley, was a British actress who had a short but significant career as a "blonde bombshell". Lesley ran away from home at the age of 16, "aiming to become a star". She starred in several films in the late 1950s and early 1960s, including the 1957 film Woman in a Dressing Gown, which won the 1958 Golden Globe Award for Best English-Language Foreign Film. She also appeared in Doctor in Love, Operation Bullshine and What a Whopper, and played Helen of Troy in a television play. However Associated decided to end her contract, which devastated her and she disappeared from the public eye. She subsequently lived in a semi-detached house overlooking New Barnet station, but by 1973 was felt by some to be "a deeply depressed, once beautiful woman, still haunted by a glamorous past". She died of a drug overdose.

Known for

Acting

1962 The Pot Carriers Actor Wendy 59
Average
1961 What a Whopper Actor Charlotte 'Charlie' Pinner 59
Average
1961 Three on a Spree Actor Susan 59
Average
1960 Doctor in Love Actor Kitten Strudwick 58
Average
1959 Operation Bullshine Actor Pvt. Marge White 58
Average
1959 No Trees in the Street Actor Lova 58
Average
1957 These Dangerous Years Actor Dinah Brown 59
Average
1957 Woman in a Dressing Gown Actor Hilda Harper 59
Average
1957 The Good Companions Actor Film Star (as Leslie Carroll) N/A
N/A
1954 The Embezzler Actor Tea Shop Waitress 59
Average
1949 Trottie True Actor Clare as a child 59
Average
1947 The Silver Darlings Actor Una (child) 59
Average