Leoda Richards(1907-1998)

Prolific (and ubiquitous) bit player Leoda Richards was born Leoda Carole Knapp, March 15, 1907 in Columbus, Ohio. The daughter of Carl and Celia Knapp, Richards trained as a dancer. Moreover, Leoda was in the original company of 3 Broadway musicals: "A Connecticut Yankee," "Strike Me Pink," and "Anything Goes." She took the name, 'Leoda Richards', after marrying Charles Richards in 1928. Leoda first began appearing in films in uncredited minor roles in the late 1940's. A quintessential 'little old lady type', Richards can be spotted in scores of films and TV shows as party guests, passengers on either airplanes or ocean liners, spectators at sporting events, or patrons in clubs, diners, casinos, or restaurants. On February 7, 1998, Leoda passed away in Laguna Niguel, California. She was survived by a daughter, Barbara.