BIOGRAPHY: BACKGROUND
So very little is written about Veronica Lake in the mainstream movie books and publications today.
What there is usually in connection with her co-stars whose popularity has somehow outlived her contributions. I have to agree that over her thirty movies 6 of them are truly outstanding and worthy of appreciation by the general public.
I have tried to collect here as accurate a picture of the life and work of Veronica Lake as I can manage. The important events of her life with notes on the films and outside influences effecting her.
I’ve added background information on her Children, Spouses, Parents and Lovers.
Veronica: The Autobiography of Veronica Lake
I got hold of Veronica Lake’s autobiography "Veronica" and it was quite a read! She sure did and saw some crazy stuff and lived to tell the tale.
The book has a chatty and informal style that makes it very easy to pickup and picture. Consequently this biography has been overhauled and it is much more detailed.
Background details from the life and times of Connie Keane (aka Veronica Lake) gathered from the various books and articles I have collected over the years:
PERSONAL DETAILS
- Given Name: Constance Frances Marie Ockelman
- Stage Names: Constance Keane; Connie Keane, Veronica Lake.
- Occupation: Film Actress (and later: stage, TV hostess/actress and hotel barmaid)
- Height: 4’ 11". (5’ 2" according her autobiography "Veronica")
- Hair: 150,000 hairs measuring 0.0024 inches in cross section ("Life" magazine)
- Weight: 95 pounds (in 1938 - according her Biography "Veronica")
- Date of Birth: November 14, 1919.
- Date of Death: July 7, 1973.
- Place of Birth: Brooklyn, New York, USA.
- Stars: Sun in Scorpio, Moon in Libra.
FAMILY
PARENTS
- Mother:
Constance Charlotte Ockelman (nèe Trimble)
- Father:
Harry Eugene Ockelman (German-Dutch)
Job: Tanker ship master for Sun Oil Company.
Died February 1932 when oil tanker M.S. Bidwell exploded in Marcus Bay, Pennsylvania. His body was never recovered.
- Stepfather:
Anthony Keane
Job: Illustrator and staff artist with the New York Herald Tribune;
Married Lake’s mother in 1933;
Died September 10, 1946
CHILDREN
- Elaine Detlie:
Born August 21, 1941
- William Anthony Detlie:
Born premature July 8, 1943.
Died July 15, 1943 of uraemic poisoning.
Lake tripped on a lighting cable while making ’The Hour Before the Dawn’.
- Andre Anthony Michael De Toth:
Born October 26, 1945
- Diana De Toth:
Born October 16, 1948
