Andrea Leeds, a gentle and soulful-eyed actress, left a lasting impact on the film industry with her few yet notable performances within a span of four years from 1936 to 1940. Born in Butte, Montana, Leeds' early life was marked by extensive travel due to her father's work as a British-born mining engineer. She pursued acting instead of screenwriting, apprenticing in bit roles under her given name, Antoinette Lees, and eventually landing better parts in better pictures.
Leeds' notable film appearances include portrayals of actress hopefuls in "Letter of Introduction" (1938) and "The Goldwyn Follies" (1938),as well as affecting turns in the sentimental dramas "Swanee River" (1939),"The Real Glory" (1939),and "Earthbound" (1940). Her trademark gentleness, grace, and humanity shone through in each of these performances.
However, personal tragedy struck when Leeds' fiancé, Jack Dunn, died suddenly of a rare disease in July 1938. This event marked a significant turning point in her career, as her interest in acting began to wane dramatically. Leeds eventually married wealthy sportsman Robert Stewart Howard, heir to the racing stables of Charles S. Howard, and gave up her profession to raise a family.
Leeds was a devoutly religious person and, along with her husband, settled in the Palm Springs area with their two children, Robert Jr. and Leann. Tragedy struck again when Leann died of cancer in 1971. Leeds' life and interests shifted towards owning and breeding horses, and after her husband's death in 1962, she operated and owned a modest jewelry shop in the Palm Springs area, designing many of her own pieces.
Andrea Leeds passed away from cancer in 1984 at the age of 70, leaving behind a legacy of gentle and affecting performances on the silver screen.
