Elvis’ Famous Ex-Girlfriend & Movie Co-Star Passes Away
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Elvis’ Movie Romance That Became A Real-Life Thing
Over the course of his film career, Elvis Presley got the chance to star alongside some lovely and talented ladies. One of those ladies was actress Anne Neyland, who landed her first role as a chorus girl in the hit musical film Singin’ in the Rain.
After that, Neyland appeared in a couple of television shows and took on the role of Virginia Kelly in the 1957 crime drama, Hidden Fear.
That same year, Neyland also appeared in Presley’s third movie, titled Jailhouse Rock. Even if you’ve never seen the movie, you know its music, especially its title song, which topped multiple genre’s charts in the U.S.
In the film, Presley played a construction worker named Vince Everett who ends up in jail after accidentally killing a man in a barroom brawl. While actress Judy Tyler played his main romantic lead in the film, Neyland played another one of his love interests, named Laury Jackson.
But Neyland was more to Presley than a simple love interest in a movie. They were also lovers in real life.
The two dated throughout the making of Jailhouse Rock, and their relationship continued for a little while after filming concluded. Sadly, their love didn’t last.
Moving On After Elvis
Neyland perhaps offered some insight as to why their relationship fizzled out when she spoke to Photoplay on one occasion. Describing Presley, she said:
“These last three years he’s been so used to people tearing at him wherever he goes that he’s drawn-into as hell. He’s so used to being alone with a few close friends and going for drives and playing records that you can’t get him out of it.”
Neyland moved on with life after Presley and pursued other projects. She went on to to appear in a number of other television series in the coming years, and also took on roles in two films. Her last project, an uncredited role in Ocean’s 11, debuted in 1960.
Although she was born in Mississippi and grew up in Texas, Neyland moved to California later in life. It was there she took her final breath as she passed away on April 24, 2019.
Her family reported her death in a simple obituary published in the Ventura County Star. She was 84 years old.
No cause of death was listed in the short obituary, but Neyland’s family did share that her funeral arrangements were being handled by Griffin Family Funeral Chapels.
Our prayers go out to Neyland’s family during this sad time. She was such a beautiful and talented actress, and she’ll be dearly missed. May she rest in peace.
