Thelma Todd’s Suspicious Death amid Her Restaurant Success Leaves Questions Over 90 Years Later

Todd was just 29 when she died on Dec. 16, 1935, and some have questioned what happened to the restaurateur and actress

NEED TO KNOW

• Thelma Todd, nicknamed the “Ice Cream Blonde,” was an actress who got her start in silent films and ended up with over 120 acting credits in her career
• Todd was enjoying success in both acting and business, as part owner of Thelma Todd’s Sidewalk Cafe in the Pacific Palisades
• The actress’ life was cut short when she was found dead in her car from carbon monoxide poisoning at just 29 years old; her cause of death is still contested by some more than 90 years later

Thelma Todd demonstrated tremendous comedic talent and business acumen before her untimely death at 29.

A fixture in Old Hollywood, the actress — known to some as the “Ice Cream Blonde” — rose to fame after winning the Miss Massachusetts title in 1925. A Hollywood talent scout saw a screen career and enrolled her in the Paramount Players School, which led to early roles as a supporting beauty in silent films.

The actress particularly enjoyed success in her work with actor Charley Chase. However, Todd’s fame only grew when she was paired with fellow silent film actress Zasu Pitts. The studio pictured an opposites-attract pairing in the two and began writing shorts for them, with studio head Hal Roach himself working on many of them.

Todd enjoyed success in her work with Pitts but also continued doing projects outside of their pairing. When Pitts decided to leave Roach Studios to pursue other projects, Todd moved on with Patsy Kelly. The two would make 21 shorts together over the course of their collaboration.

Todd’s acting career was soaring, but it was her other line of work that would lead to a turn of events, as described by Gary Berman in 100 Years of Laughter: American Comedy in the Twentieth Century.

Todd pursued a career in the restaurant business, becoming part owner of Thelma Todd’s Sidewalk Cafe in partnership with actress Jewel Carmen and her husband, Roland West. The cafe quickly became a popular destination, so much so that in October 1935, reports said Todd was working on expanding the cafe, according to PBS SoCal.

As the restaurant was taking off, Todd’s life came to an untimely end.

The actress and restauranteur, who Berman wrote “was known as a party girl, often attracted to men with rough, even violent personalities,” was found dead of carbon monoxide poisoning while seated in her car in her garage on Dec. 16, 1935. She was 29 years old.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

While the Los Angeles Times reported that her death was thought to be due to carbon monoxide poisoning, the outlet noted that an investigation was ongoing at the time.

Berman wrote that her death was “ruled a suicide.” However, the author noted that “there were several bruises and marks on her body that suggested she had been assaulted shortly before.” He added, “Those who mingled with her at her restaurant the previous evening didn’t notice anything unusual about her behavior, especially nothing resembling depression or distress.”

As a result, some have questioned the true cause of Todd’s death. However, Berman noted, “Several suspects have been considered for her murder in the decades since, but the case has never been solved.”