Biography.guide
Home › People › Costume designer › Leah Rhodes
Portrait of Leah Rhodes

Leah Rhodes

1902 – 1986

American costume designer

Don't just read it — keep itBiographies to ownE-book · Audio · Video From $7 →

About Leah Rhodes

Lived 1902 – 1986 (aged 84). Leah Rhodes was an American costume designer.

Leah Rhodes (July 21, 1902 in Port Arthur, Texas – October 17, 1986) was an American costume designer.

Rhodes was born Leah Margaret Montgomery in Port Arthur, Texas. As a young woman, Rhodes worked as a sign painted and window designer in Port Arthur and San Antonio. In 1921, she married auto mechanic Russel Spurgeon Rhodes. Five years later the couple moved to the San Fernando Valley where Russel managed a car dealership.

After moving to California, Rhodes began working as a buyer and shopper for Warner Brothers. Eventually, she became Orry-Kelly's chief assistant. When Orry-Kelly enlisted in the army, Rhodes took over Bette Davis's wardrobe for Old Acquaintances.

Rhodes gained more attention after working on The Big Sleep in 1946. This led to films like Key Largo (1948), Adventures of Don Juan (1949) (for which she won the Academy Award for Best Costume Design), White Heat (1949) and Strangers on a Train (1951). Her last film was the Howard Hawks Western Rio Lobo, in 1970.

Biography shop

Don’t just read it —
keep it.

Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.

  • E-book
  • Audio
  • Video
Browse the shop — from $7

Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free

Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Awards
Academy Award for Best Costume Design, Color

People in Leah Rhodes's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Leah Rhodes's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Leah Rhodes?

American costume designer (1902-1986)

When was Leah Rhodes born?

Leah Rhodes was born on 21 July 1902 in Port Arthur.

When did Leah Rhodes die?

Leah Rhodes died on 17 October 1986 in Point Pleasant.

What was Leah Rhodes's occupation?

Leah Rhodes was a costume designer.

What nationality was Leah Rhodes?

Leah Rhodes was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Leah Rhodes

· Wikidata: Q516780

· DBpedia: Leah Rhodes

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Leah Rhodes. https://biography.guide/leah-rhodes/

MLA: "Leah Rhodes." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/leah-rhodes/.

Chicago: "Leah Rhodes." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/leah-rhodes/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Page generated 2026-09-27 05:08 UTC