Vera Miles

Vera Miles was born Vera June Ralston on August 23, 1929 in Boise City, Oklahoma.

Vera Miles took her husband's last name because Republic Pictures' resident leading lady Vera Ralston got to Hollywood first.

In 1948, Vera Miles was crowned Miss Kansas which soon lead to small roles in Hollywood films and television roles. Her first appearance being in 1950 in John Ford's When Willie Comes Marching Home which she plays a girl next to the laughing sergeant.

Her first big movie break was in The Searchers (1956) where she played Laurie Jorgensen, Martin Pawley (Jeffrey Hunter) spirited love interest.

Vera Miles next success was in 23 Paces to Baker Street (1956) with Van Johnson and Autumn Leaves (1956) with Joan Crawford and Cliff Robertson.

She also appeared opposite Henry Fonda in Hitchcock's The Wrong Man (1956). Hitchock who put her under contract hailed her the new Grace Kelly.

A favorite of John Ford, she went on to star in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962) opposite John Wayne and James Stewart.

She also appeared in such films as Beau James (1957) opposite Bob Hope; The FBI Story (1959) opposite James Stewart; Back Street (1961) opposite Susan Hayward; and Sergeant Ryker (1968) opposite Lee Marvin.

She also appeared in hundreds of television shows including Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Twilight Zone, The Fugitive, My Three Sons, Bonanza, Ironside, Columbo, Murder She Wrote, Hawaii Five-0, Hotel and Simon & Simon.

Her final appearance before retiring was in the 1995 movie Seperate Lives in which she played Dr. Ruth Goldin.

One of her most famous movies is Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho (1960) in which she plays Lila Crane, sister to Janet Leigh's Marion Crane. In 1982, she reprised her role as Lila Crane Loomis in the film sequel Psycho II.

Vera Miles had both talent and beauty but she is one of those underrated actresses who does not get the credit she deserves.