Thelma Todd was an iconic actress of the 1930s, with a beaming smile that lit up the silver screen and charmed audiences everywhere. However, her life was tragically cut short in December 1935, when she was found dead in a car with a mysterious set of circumstances that remain unresolved to this day. Let’s take a closer look at the life, career and mysterious passing of Thelma Todd.
Who Was Thelma Todd?
Thelma Todd was born on July 29, 1905 in Lawrence, Massachusetts. As a young girl, she was athletic, outgoing, and determined. It wasn’t long before she started to take part in beauty pageants, which eventually led to small roles in Hollywood films. She found success in films when she was given the chance to act alongside renowned comedian, Stan Laurel.
The Rise of a Star: Thelma Todd’s Early Career
Thelma began to gain fame in the silent film era and was dubbed “The Ice Cream Blonde”, given her signature habit of eating ice cream cones. Her bubbly and comedic character made her an audience favorite. In fact, some of her most popular films included:
-Call of the Cuckoo (1930)
-The Sea Bat (1930)
-Chickens Come Home (1931)
-The Stolen Jools (1931)
-Sidewalks of New York (1931)
-Feet First (1930)
-The Chimp (1932)
-Movie Crazy (1932)
-The Passionate Plumber (1932)
-Speak Easily (1932)
-Horse Feathers (1932)
Thelma Todd’s Work with Stan Laurel
Thelma’s collaboration with Stan Laurel began in 1929 and the two quickly became a formidable comedic duo. The pair starred in several memorable films, including:
-Chickens Come Home (1931)
-The Stolen Jools (1931)
-The Chimp (1932)
-Movie Crazy (1932)
-The Passionate Plumber (1932)
-Speak Easily (1932)
-Horse Feathers (1932)
Thelma Todd’s Later Career
Thelma Todd continued to be a leading woman in Hollywood for several years. She had lead roles in several films alongside comedy greats like Buster Keaton, The Marx Brothers, and the Ritz Brothers. Her most popular films during this time included:
-No Man of Her Own (1932)
-Thoroughbreds Don’t Cry (1937)
-Hips, Hips, Hooray! (1934)
-The Red-Headed Woman (1932)
-Whom the Gods Destroy (1934)
-Love Before Breakfast (1936)
-The Bohemian Girl (1936)
Thelma Todd’s Off-Screen Life
In addition to her film career, Thelma Todd owned and operated a successful roadside cafe and speakeasy, overlooking the Pacific Ocean in California. The cafe was located, ironically, on Pacific Coast Highway, which was in stark contrast to her lavish parties and night-outs with Hollywood’s elite society.
The Final Days of Thelma Todd’s Life
In December 1935, Thelma Todd suddenly disappeared and a massive manhunt was underway. Three days later, her body was found in a parked car outside the cafe. There were several suspicious circumstances that surrounded her death and it was ruled an accident caused by carbon monoxide poisoning.
The Mystery of Thelma Todd’s Tragic Death
The circumstances of Thelma Todd’s death have remained largely a mystery. Despite the coroner’s ruling of accidental death, there have been several theories over the years that suggest she was murdered. Some have speculated that she was being blackmailed due to her involvement with organized crime, while others have suggested that she was killed by an angry lover.
Thelma Todd was a dazzling star of the silver screen, who lit up every scene she appeared in. Her mysterious death in 1935 remains unsolved to this day, with no clear answer as to what really happened. No matter what the cause of her death was, her memory lives on through her impressive body of work.
