What Happened to Lora Lee?
A star at 7, in prison at 22. Then she vanished. Here's what happened to former child actor Lora Lee Michel.
Headlines From The Times · Carlos De Loera, Shannon Lin, Mike Heflin, Shani O. Hilton, Alex Higgins, Madalyn Amato, David Toledo, Ashlea Brown, Kinsee Morlan, Jazmín Aguilera, Denise Guerra, Kasia Broussalian, Mario Diaz, Surya Hendry, Gustavo Arellano, Mark Nieto
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Show Notes
Throughout the history of Hollywood, child entertainers have consistently clashed with their parents and guardians who manage their money and lives. The stories of kid stars like Britney Spears and Gary Coleman are well known. But long before them, was child actor Lora Lee Michel. In the 1940s, Michel became a famed Hollywood actress at age 7, working alongside screen legends like Humphrey Bogart and Gary Cooper. But by the time she was 22, she landed in prison. Then she disappeared.
Today, part 1 of a two-part series tracing Michel’s life. It’s a story that reveals the underbelly of Hollywood’s Golden Age and the perils facing child actors. Read the full transcript here.
Host: Gustavo Arellano
Guests: L.A. Times Company Town reporter Stacy Perman
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