Although retired, Vera Miles is remembered for her iconic roles in the 1950s and 1960s. She entered the entertainment industry in 1950 and spent decades showcasing her acting skills in various roles. With her graceful screen presence and talent, she became a familiar face in Westerns, dramas, and thrillers.
During her prime, Vera Miles starred in some of Hollywood’s most famous movies, including The Searchers, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, and Psycho. Her collaborations with legendary directors like John Ford and Alfred Hitchcock helped shape her long career. Today, Vera Miles is celebrated as one of the great talents of Hollywood’s golden age.
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Early Life
Vera Miles was born Vera June Ralston on 23rd August 1929, in Boise City, Oklahoma. During her early years, her family moved to Pratt, Kansas, where she spent most of her childhood. Growing up in a time when movies were a major source of entertainment, she developed a love for acting at a young age.
She completed her graduation in 1947 from Wichita High School East and later participated in beauty pageants, where she won the title of Miss Kansas in 1948. This helped her gain widespread attention and opened the door to Hollywood.
Beginning of Career
After her success in pageants, Vera moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting. Initially, she started with small roles in films and television that were often uncredited. In 1951, she appeared as a chorus girl in a musical Two Tickets to Broadway.
One of her notable roles came after signing a contract with Warner Bros. She appeared in the adventure film Tarzan’s Hidden Jungle in 1955, where she starred opposite Gordon Scott. This role marked the beginning of her rise in the film industry as directors and producers began to take notice of her talent and beauty.
Shot to Fame
Vera Miles’ major breakthrough came in the mid-1950s. She was cast by legendary director John Ford in The Searchers. Her performance in the film was praised by both fans and critics. In the same year, she played a lead role in The Wrong Man.
Fast forward to 1960, she appeared in Psycho, a classic horror film that turned out to be a huge box office success. She returned to the same role over two decades later in Psycho II in 1983. Another major highlight in her career was her role in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.
Relationship
Vera Miles had a complex personal life. Her first marriage was to Bob Miles in 1948, with whom she had two daughters. After divorcing him in 1954, she married actor Gordon Scott in 1956. They had one son together but later divorced in 1960. The same year, she got married to director Keith Larsen that lasted from 1960 to 1971. Her final marriage, to director Robert Jones, also ended after a short time.
Major Source of Income and Net Worth
Based on online sources, Vera Miles’ net worth is approx. $8 million. During her career in Hollywood, she appeared in numerous films and television shows that helped her built a solid financial status.
Though she retired from acting in the 1990s, her wealth reflects her long and successful career in Hollywood and her lasting impact on the film industry.
