Veronica Lake: The Untold Story Of Hollywood’s Iconic Star

When Veronica Lake passed away at the age of 50 in 1973 due to hepatitis, many people assumed her fading film career had driven her to drink. But as the newly republished Veronica: The Autobiography of Veronica Lake reveals, the truth is far more complex. Veronica wasn’t the one who was pushed out of Hollywood; she was the one who walked away, yearning for a simpler, more authentic life. "I had to get out," Veronica admitted in her book. "I was never meant to be a picture star. The pressure was suffocating."

From Constance Ockelman to Hollywood Sensation

Originally born as Constance Ockelman, Veronica had an overbearing mother who aggressively pushed her into the world of show business, much to her reluctance. "She was forced into it against her will," explains TCM host Eddie Muller, who penned a new introduction to Veronica's 1969 memoir. Rising to fame as a femme fatale in films like 1942's This Gun for Hire, Veronica became synonymous with her iconic "peekaboo" hairstyle. However, the glamorous image she projected on screen didn't reflect her true self. "She was naturally rebellious," Muller adds. "She grew tired of people trying to box her into a role she didn’t want to play."

Struggling with Fame and Misunderstandings

Veronica's battle with alcoholism became public, leading to whispers of mental illness. But Muller sheds light on the unfair double standards of the time. "She was behaving the way many men did, yet they were celebrated for it," he points out. "Humphrey Bogart could drink and show up hungover, and it only added to his legend. For Veronica, it was judged harshly because she was a woman."

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In 1952, Veronica made a bold decision. "I said, 'The hell with you, Hollywood,'" she wrote in her memoir. "I’ve never looked back." When rumors surfaced that she was working as a cocktail waitress in New York City in 1962, people felt pity for her. But Veronica saw it differently. "People felt sorry for me, but I actually enjoyed the job," she confessed. During this time, she met Andy Elickson, a merchant marine, and fell deeply in love. "I loved him very much," she said, finding solace in their relationship.

A Peaceful Life After Hollywood

Following Andy's passing, Veronica relocated to Miami, where she embraced a quiet, peaceful existence. "I seem to have found peace," she reflected. "Spare me the high-pressure life of success. I’ve lived it, and I chose something different." Veronica's journey reminds us that fame isn’t always what it seems, and sometimes, the simplest life can be the most fulfilling.

Reported by Bruce Fretts, with additional reporting by Lexi Ciccone