American actress Janet Leigh was born on July 6, 1927 in Merced, California. She studied music and psychology at the University of the Pacific before dropping out upon gaining a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
Janet Leigh’s film career began in 1947, starring opposite Van Johnson in The Romance of Rosy Ridge. This was followed by a role in If Winter Comes, along with Hills of Home, Words and Music and Act of Violence in 1948. Leigh also appeared in the successful film Little Women the next year. She played Jennifer Paige in 1951’s Angels in the Outfield, as well as having the lead role in Confidentially Connie. She appeared in several movies during the 1950s but her performance was particularly noted in My Sister Eileen in 1955. The musical comedy also starred Jack Lemmon, Betty Garrett and Dick York. She continued to appear in a variety of films including dramas, comedies, musicals and Westerns.
Her best known role is her 45-minute portrayal in Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho in 1960. Leigh’s performance as Marion Crane in the immortal “shower scene” of the film gave her an Academy Award nomination, as well as receiving a Golden Globe. She also starred with Frank Sinatra in 1962’s The Manchurian Candidate, and also had a starring role in Orson Welles’ classic film Touch of Evil. Janet Leigh was also in Bye, Bye Birdie, the musical film based on a Broadway production of the same name. In 1973, she was cast alongside Peter Falk and John Payne in Columbo: Forgotten Lady. She has had rare appearances in her succeeding films, but worked with Paul Newman in Harper. Leigh has also appeared in The Fog and Halloween H20: 20 Years Later, with her daughter, Jamie Lee Curtis. She was also featured in several television movies like Murdock’s Gang and Boardwalk.
On October 3, 2004, Janet Leigh died in her home due to cardiac arrest.