Leila Ernst

Leila Ernst (July 28, 1920 – May 26, 1970) was an American Broadway actress. Her Broadway debut was in the 1939 production Too Many Girls. She also had a role in the film Life with Henry.

Early life Ernst was born on July 28, 1920, in Jaffrey, New Hampshire. She had two younger brothers. She attended school in Europe and according to her, "I'd probably been better off in a school right here at home."

Career Her first role was in the 1939 Broadway production Too Many Girls, directed by George Abbott. Ernst said that she tried to have an audition for Abbott for months, but that Abbott had trouble arranging it. Actor Eddie Bracken said that he would tell Abbott about her after hearing her sing and he later sent a note to Ernst which stated that Abbott did not want to see her, but for her to come anyway. With the help of a stage carpenter who played the piano for her and encouragement from Bracken to run out there, Ernst barged into a dance audition that Abbott was holding to sing and dance for him. She starred in the 1941 film Life with Henry directed by Reed which was the second film in the Henry Aldrich film series.

Despite only appearing in one film, Paramount Pictures originally intended to "invest a lot of money in Leila and give her the same kind of build-up that Warner Bros. gave Ann Sheridan." She is buried in Jaffrey, New Hampshire. She was pre-deceased by her husband, James Veitch.

Broadway roles