By the early 1920s, Hollywood had gained its renowned reputation as the film capital of the world. But, the golden age of Hollywood did not begin until the 1930s, when Thelma Todd was a household name.

Tragically, though, the actress known as “The Ice Cream Blonde” and “Hot Toddy” was found dead in her car in 1935. And to this day, Thelma’s shocking death has remained a highly speculated mystery in pop culture.

A Star Was Born

Thelma Todd was born on July 29, 1906, in Lawrence, Massachusetts, and from a young age, she was regarded as an extremely intelligent and hard-working girl.

She graduated from high school in 1923 and quickly enrolled in a training school for teachers known as Lowell Normal College. However, Thelma’s mother, Alice, recognized her beauty and grace. So, Alice pushed Thelma to enter acting contests and beauty pageants.

Unsurprisingly, the young star was wildly successful within the pageant circuit and went on to claim the title of Miss Massachusetts in 1925.

And this win did much for Thelma’s career, as she was catapulted into the eyes of some of Hollywood’s most prominent talent scouts. They eventually advised Thelma to enroll in the Paramount School for Junior Stars, a program launched by the Paramount Movie Studio, and she did.

Thelma first starred in some silent films before trying her hand at “talkies.” Then, she quickly became known for offering two valuable assets– comedic punch lines and beauty.

Film screenshot, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons; pictured above is Thelma in the film Corsair

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Some of Thelma’s most notable performances included her roles alongside the Marx Brothers in Monkey Business and Horse Feathers. Plus, she went on to star in over one hundred shorts and feature films in her lifetime.

And on top of her raging success in Hollywood, Thelma even solidified herself as a young businesswoman. She conceptualized and launched a Malibu restaurant, known as Thelma Todd’s Sidewalk Cafe, that was widely beloved by both tourists and celebrities.

Thelma Todd’s Death

However, the twenty-nine-year-old star’s Hollywood reign came to a tragic halt on December 16, 1935. That morning, Thelma’s maid, Mae Whitehead, found her dead in her car.

Thelma’s car had been parked in Roland West’s garage– who was her business partner and casual lover.

“She was slumped in the front seat of her car. Just bent over, her head to the left,” Whitehead reportedly told detectives. The maid also added that Thelma had blood around her nose.

Investigators later declared Thelma’s official cause of death as carbon monoxide poisoning, and the public was devastated.

Nonetheless, other factors in the star’s life pushed authorities to delve deeper into her personal life and relationships.

And according to a Los Angeles Times article published in 1935, investigators had good reason to believe that Thelma might have been targeted.

“The officers turned to probable reason for death by foul means. Within the past three months, two men had been arrested in New York in connection with extortion notes and telephone calls received by Miss Todd, demanding $10,000 under penalty of death,” the article reported.

Still, though, the scene of Thelma’s death showed no signs of violence. So, everyone from investigators to conspiracy theorists began storyboarding a multitude of other explanations.

Lover Or Perpetrator? 

Many immediately set their sights on Roland West, with whom Thelma was known to work and sometimes be romantic.

However, Roland’s Hollywood career had dimmed following his breakthrough success. And in walked Thelma– a rising star and aspiring business owner.

So, they partnered up and launched Thelma Todd’s Sidewalk Cafe. Still, though, the restaurant’s reputation as a hot spot was reportedly not that lucrative behind closed doors.

Moreover, the business partners also apparently lived together in a duplex right above the cafe. So, just how intertwined Thelma and Roland really remained a perplexing mystery.

On top of that, Jewel Carmen, Roland’s estranged wife, also resided above the cafe and was a co-owner of the restaurant. Apparently, Jewel never decried Raymond’s relationship with Thelma. But, she did reportedly threaten Raymond after the restaurant started to go underwater.

Mob Ties

If Thelma’s strange web of relationships could not get any more complicated, she was also tied to Lucky Luciano, a notorious mobster. But, their relationship was nowhere near a fairytale.

Instead, Luciano allegedly beat Thelma and even introduced her to amphetamines.

Plus, once Luciano saw her seemingly-thriving restaurant business, he wanted Thelma to allow him to launch a casino inside.

The pair even apparently discussed this very proposition inside the restaurant because customers later reported hearing Thelma say the casino idea would happen “over her dead body.”

Then, Luciano allegedly said, “That can be arranged.”

Other Sinister Theories

Some members of the public have also pointed to Pat DiCicco, Thelma’s ex-husband, as a possible suspect. They believe that Pat could have felt embarrassed following the divorce– especially considering how widely Thelma’s “Hot Toddy” reputation had spread. So, could he might have wanted revenge?

Finally, others suspect that Thelma’s mother, Alice, could have been the culprit. After all, Alice was the sole heir of Thelma’s assets. And just before her daughter died, Alice reportedly announced her grand plan of building a mansion with little to no means of affording it.

The Legacy Of “The Ice Cream Blonde”

Despite all of these concurrent suspicions, though, Thelma Todd’s death was ultimately ruled a suicide by a grand jury. Nonetheless, people around the globe have continued to question the ruling– since the star’s broken nose, two cracked ribs, and throat bruises were not likely self-inflicted.

Still, little can be done now to change the verdict. So, fans have been left mourning the loss of megastar Thelma Todd and her undoubted contributions to the golden age of Hollywood.

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