--- name: "Vera Miles" canonical: "https://film.one/person/vera-miles" fi1m_id: "vera-miles" imdb_id: "nm0587256" tmdb_id: 7303 wikidata_id: "Q237864" roles: ["Actor"] born: "23 August 1930" reviewed_on_fi1m: 4 average_fi1m_score: 85 average_as: "actor" average_over: 4 updated: "2026-09-25T07:44:49.888472+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Vera Miles ## Identity Vera Miles - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/vera-miles - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** vera-miles - **IMDb ID:** nm0587256 - **TMDB ID:** 7303 - **Wikidata ID:** Q237864 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vera_Miles, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q237864, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0587256/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/7303 Actor. Born 23 August 1930 in Boise City, Oklahoma, USA. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 23 August 1930, Boise City, Oklahoma, USA - **Active:** 1956–1963 - **Also known as:** Vera June Ralston, Vera June Miles, ورا مایلز - **Frequently works with:** [Alfred Hitchcock](https://film.one/person/alfred-hitchcock.md), [John Ford](https://film.one/person/john-ford.md), [John Wayne](https://film.one/person/john-wayne.md) - **Average Fi1m score:** 85, as actor, over 4 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1950s 84 (2), 1960s 87 (2) - **Score spread:** 4 at 80+, 0 at 60–79, 0 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 1 of 2 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Drama 3, Mystery 3, Action & Adventure 1, Crime 1, Horror 1, Sci-Fi & Fantasy 1 - **Screen time:** 4 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $52m across 2 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vera_Miles, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q237864, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0587256/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/7303 ## Streaming the US now - **AMC+:** [*Psycho*](https://film.one/film/psycho.md) (90) - **HBO Max:** [*The Wrong Man*](https://film.one/film/the-wrong-man.md) (83) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Vera Miles > Vera Miles makes determined women convincing without making a fuss about their strength. We value the steadiness she brings to *Psycho* and her credibility in Westerns, though too many supporting parts leave her underused. Vera Miles gives Lila Crane in *Psycho* (1960) a straightforward determination that we can believe in. Alfred Hitchcock has a grounded performer here, someone who helps the suspense matter beyond the mechanics of a shock. We were frightened by the film’s quieter encounters because Anthony Perkins makes them so uncomfortable, and Miles’s steadiness offers no easy reassurance. She gives us a reason to take Lila seriously without asking us to admire her determination. Her work with Hitchcock and John Ford established the two settings that suited her: suspense films and Westerns. In 1956, she played Laurie Jorgensen in Ford’s *The Searchers* and Rose Balestrero opposite Henry Fonda in Hitchcock’s *The Wrong Man*. Ford brought her back as Hallie Stoddard in *The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance* (1962), alongside John Wayne and James Stewart. Those films make good use of her credibility in period settings; she belongs in them without requiring special attention. *Psycho* remains the strongest recommendation we can make here, for the performances and the precision of its shocks, with a caveat about passages that labour the mystery. It also shows the usefulness of an actor who can make a determined character feel ordinary without making her negligible. Miles does not need to be the most unsettling person in the film to help it work. We would have welcomed more chances to watch a film built around her, rather than one that benefits from having her in support. She worked extensively in television through the 1970s and 1980s. Across her television career, the credits include *The Twilight Zone*, *Columbo* and *Murder, She Wrote*. She reprised Lila alongside Perkins in *Psycho II* (1983), returning to her most remembered role. After *Psycho*, try *The Searchers* before returning to Hitchcock; Miles deserves to be seen somewhere other than a thriller. ## Biography Vera Miles is an American actress. Born in Boise City, Oklahoma, she was crowned Miss Kansas in 1948 before moving to Los Angeles and beginning her career with small film and television roles. She is known for her performances in John Ford westerns including *The Searchers* (1956) and *The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance* (1962), and for her work with Alfred Hitchcock in *The Wrong Man* (1956) and as Lila Crane in *Psycho* (1960). She reprised the role in *Psycho II* (1983). Miles also appeared in numerous television series such as *The Twilight Zone*, *Bonanza*, *Columbo* and *Murder, She Wrote*. She retired from acting in the mid-1990s. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.* ## On Fi1m (4) - *The Fugitive* (1963), Fi1m 84, as Monica Welles — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-fugitive-1963.md) - *Psycho* (1960), Fi1m 90, as Lila Crane — [page](https://film.one/film/psycho.md) - *The Twilight Zone* (1959), Fi1m 84, as Millicent Barnes — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-twilight-zone.md) - *The Wrong Man* (1956), Fi1m 83, as Rose Balestrero — [page](https://film.one/film/the-wrong-man.md) ## Complete filmography (141) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Separate Lives* (1995), as Dr. Ruth Goldin - *The Hijacking of the Achille Lauro* (1989), as Sophie Kubacki - *International Airport* (1985), as Elaine Corley - *Into the Night* (1985), as Joan Caper - *Crazy like a Fox* (1984), series, as Georgina Burton - *The Initiation* (1984), as Frances Fairchild - *Murder, She Wrote* (1984), series, as Elizabeth Gates, Charmaine Calloway Thompson, Nancy Landon - *Finder of Lost Loves* (1984), series, as Joanna Shaw - *Helen Keller: The Miracle Continues* (1984), as Kate Keller - *BrainWaves* (1983), as Marian Koonan - *Psycho II* (1983), as Lila Loomis - *Travis McGee* (1983), as Julie Lawless - *Mazes and Monsters* (1982), as Cat - *Matt Houston* (1982), series, Actor - *Hotel* (1982), series, as Teresa Clayborne, Millie Broom - *Natalie - A Tribute to a Very Special Lady* (1982), Actor - *Our Family Business* (1981), as Patricia - *Magnum, P.I.* (1980), series, as Joan Gibson - *Roughnecks* (1980), as Ida McBride - *Buck Rogers in the 25th Century* (1979), series, as Tora - *The Horror Show* (1979), as (archive footage) - *And I Alone Survived* (1978), as Irene Elder - *Fantasy Island* (1978), series, as Martha Tate - *The Love Boat* (1977), series, as Bess Hensinger, Eve Springer - *Run for the Roses* (1977), as Clarissa Stewart - *Fire!* (1977), as Martha Wagner - *How the West Was Won* (1977), series, as Beth - *State Fair* (1976), as Melissa Bryant - *Judge Horton and the Scottsboro Boys* (1976), as Mrs. Horton - *McNaughton's Daughter* (1976), series, as Grace Coventry - *Smash-Up on Interstate 5* (1976), as Erica - *Ellery Queen* (1975), series, as Celeste Wakefield - *The Strange and Deadly Occurrence* (1974), as Christine Rhodes - *Movin' On* (1974), series, Actor - *Little House on the Prairie* (1974), series, as Ruthy Leland - *The Castaway Cowboy* (1974), as Henrietta MacAvoy - *The Underground Man* (1974), as Eleanor Strom - *Live Again, Die Again* (1974), as Marcia Carmichael - *Runaway!* (1973), as Ellen Staffo - *One Little Indian* (1973), as Doris - *Baffled!* (1973), as Andrea Glenn - *Molly and Lawless John* (1972), as Molly Parker - *A Great American Tragedy* (1972), as Gloria Wilkes - *The Streets of San Francisco* (1972), series, Actor - *Jigsaw* (1972), as Lilah Beth Cummings - *A Howling in the Woods* (1971), as Rose Staines - *Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law* (1971), series, as Nancy Hodges - *Columbo* (1971), series, as Viveca Scott — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/columbo.md) - *Cannon* (1971), series, as Vivian Cabe - *Cannon* (1971), as Diana Langston - *In Search of America* (1971), as Jenny Olson - *Alias Smith and Jones* (1971), series, Actor - *The Wild Country* (1970), as Kate Tanner - *Dan August* (1970), series, as Carla - *Medical Center* (1969), series, as Dr. Gloria Hall - *Marcus Welby, M.D.* (1969), series, as Helen Wagner, Janet Devaney - *Journey to the Unknown* (1969), as June Wiley - *It Takes All Kinds* (1969), as Laura Ring - *Hawaii Five-O* (1969), series, as Flora Whiting - *Hellfighters* (1968), as Madelyn Buckman - *Mission Batangas* (1968), as Joan Barnes - *Journey to the Unknown* (1968), series, as June Wiley - *The Name of the Game* (1968), series, as Marisa Cummings, Tracy Cannon - *Kona Coast* (1968), as Melissa Hyde - *Sergeant Ryker* (1968), as Ann Ryker - *Gentle Giant* (1967), as Ellen Wedloe - *Mannix* (1967), series, as Jean McBride - *Judd, for the Defense* (1967), series, Actor - *The Spirit Is Willing* (1967), as Kate Powell - *Ironside* (1967), series, as Barbara Richards, Barbara Jones, Gloria Campbell - *Follow Me, Boys!* (1966), as Vida Downey - *One of Our Spies Is Missing* (1966), as Madame Raine De Sala - *ABC Stage 67* (1966), series, as Adele - *The F.B.I.* (1965), series, as Kate Burke - *I Spy* (1965), series, as Rachel - *Run for Your Life* (1965), series, as Rachel Pike - *The Hanged Man* (1964), as Lois Seeger - *Those Calloways* (1964), as Lydia (Liddy) Calloway - *The Man from U.N.C.L.E.* (1964), series, as Madame Raine De Sala - *The Unknown* (1964), as Kassia Paine - *A Tiger Walks* (1964), as Dorothy Williams - *Recoil* (1963), as Lucy - *Kraft Suspense Theatre* (1963), series, as Ann Ryker - *Mr. Novak* (1963), series, as Sister Gervaise - *Burke's Law* (1963), series, as Claudia Sutton - *The Fugitive* (1963), series, as Monica Welles — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-fugitive-1963.md) - *The Outer Limits* (1963), series, as Kassia Paine - *Arrest and Trial* (1963), series, as Jean Forbes - *The Alfred Hitchcock Hour* (1962), series, as Daphne, Nicky Revere - *The Virginian* (1962), series, as Miss Wallace, Maggie Menken - *Sam Benedict* (1962), series, Actor - *The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance* (1962), as Hallie Stoddard - *Back Street* (1961), as Liz Saxon - *The Lawbreakers* (1961), as Angela Walsh - *The Asphalt Jungle* (1961), series, Actor - *Route 66* (1960), series, as Ellen Barnes - *My Three Sons* (1960), series, as Ernestine Coulter - *Psycho* (1960), as Lila Crane — Fi1m 90, [page](https://film.one/film/psycho.md) - *Five Branded Women* (1960), as Daniza - *A Touch of Larceny* (1960), as Virginia Killain - *The Detectives* (1959), series, as Lucy - *Startime* (1959), series, as Jean Medwick - *The Twilight Zone* (1959), series, as Millicent Barnes — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-twilight-zone.md) - *The FBI Story* (1959), as Lucy Ann Hardesty - *Riverboat* (1959), series, as Jeanette Mowbray - *Bonanza* (1959), series, as April Christopher, Sarah Lowell - *Web of Evidence* (1959), as Lena Anderson - *Rawhide* (1959), series, as Helen Walsh - *Panic Button* (1957), as Carolyn Cook - *Wagon Train* (1957), series, as Sister Rita, Janice Stuart - *Beau James* (1957), as Betty Compton - *The Wrong Man* (1956), as Rose Balestrero — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/the-wrong-man.md) - *Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre* (1956), series, as Jenny Breckenridge - *Autumn Leaves* (1956), as Virginia Hanson - *23 Paces to Baker Street* (1956), as Jean Lennox - *The Searchers* (1956), as Laurie Jorgensen - *The House Without a Name* (1956), as Vera - *Man on the Ledge* (1955), as Virginia - *The 20th Century Fox Hour* (1955), series, as Virginia - *Screen Director's Playhouse* (1955), series, as Ruth Dahlberg - *Alfred Hitchcock Presents* (1955), series, as Elsa Spann - *Gunsmoke* (1955), series, as Dr. Sam - *Wichita* (1955), as Laurie McCoy - *Tarzan's Hidden Jungle* (1955), as Jill Hardy - *The Millionaire* (1955), series, as Merle Roberts - *Climax!* (1954), series, as Sally Jordan, Jan Michaels, Janet Reese - *Studio 57* (1954), series, as The Little Girl's Mother - *Pride of the Blue Grass* (1954), as Linda - *So Big* (1953), as Girl (uncredited) - *City Detective* (1953), series, Actor - *The Charge at Feather River* (1953), as Jennie McKeever - *General Electric Theater* (1953), series, as Terry, Mrs. Eaton, Nora Douglas, Debra Stone - *The Ford Television Theatre* (1952), series, as Nancy Carr - *Four Star Playhouse* (1952), series, as Maggie, Julie Tolin - *The Rose Bowl Story* (1952), as Denny Burke - *For Men Only* (1952), as Kathy - *Two Tickets to Broadway* (1951), as Showgirl (uncredited) - *Schlitz Playhouse of Stars* (1951), series, as Julie, Sarah Larkin - *Lux Video Theatre* (1950), series, as Maureen O'Reilly, Christine Carroll Kimberly, Jenny, Audrey O'Connor - *The Screen Writer* (1950), as Young Actress (uncredited) - *When Willie Comes Marching Home* (1950), as Laughing Sergeant's Date (uncredited) ## Gallery - ![Super Skyway Drive-In theater advertisement for the American films 23 Paces to Baker Street (1956) and The Last Bandit (1949) - 29 Jun. 1956 Morning Call, Allen](https://film.one/media/person/59195/gallery-3ef0ba0c5131.jpg) Super Skyway Drive-In theater advertisement for the American films 23 Paces to Baker Street (1956) and The Last Bandit (1949) - 29 Jun. 1956 Morning Call, Allen — 20th Century Fox, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f7/1956_-_Super_Skyway_Drive-In_Ad_-_29_Jun_MC_-_Allentown_PA.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Lustre Crème Shampoo ad with Vera Miles, 1960.](https://film.one/media/person/59195/gallery-8be188af0475.jpg) Lustre Crème Shampoo ad with Vera Miles, 1960. — Lustre Crème Shampoo, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/28/Lustre_Cr%C3%A8me_Shampoo_ad_with_Vera_Miles%2C_1960.jpg/1280px-Lustre_Cr%C3%A8me_Shampoo_ad_with_Vera_Miles%2C_1960.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Theatrical release poster for the 1962 film The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance](https://film.one/media/person/59195/gallery-d766fa6ed6d7.jpg) Theatrical release poster for the 1962 film The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance — "Copyright © 1962 Paramount Pictures Corporation and John Ford Productions, Inc.", Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/The_Man_Who_Shot_Liberty_Valance_%281962_poster%29.jpg/1280px-The_Man_Who_Shot_Liberty_Valance_%281962_poster%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Vera Miles](https://film.one/media/person/59195/gallery-13d9f3906b3a.jpg) Vera Miles — General Electric Theater, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/02/Vera_Miles_-_1959.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Vera Miles](https://film.one/media/person/59195/gallery-33d6e44f8c34.jpg) Vera Miles — Image via TMDB --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/vera-miles