Betty Brodel, a talented singer and actress, passed away at the age of 104 in Florida, as confirmed by family member Cathy Palmer. She was known for her roles in several notable films alongside her sister Joan Leslie, including Thank Your Lucky Stars (1943), Hollywood Canteen (1944), Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942), Too Young to Know (1945), and Cinderella Jones (1946).
Elizabeth Ann Brodel, born in Detroit on Feb. 5, 1920, came from a family with a background in entertainment. Alongside her sisters Mary and Joan, she performed in a vaudeville act called The Brodel Sisters, showcasing their singing and dancing talents across various cities.
After Mary was signed to MGM, the family relocated to Burbank, where Betty and her sisters made their film debut in the 1936 short film Signing Off. Betty continued to appear in films such as Ladies Courageous (1944), Cover Girl (1944), and Swing Hostess (1944) before marrying Joe Franzalia in 1948.
Following her husband's passing in 1999, Betty resided in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. She is survived by her children, Toni and Chuck, along with grandchildren Polly, Sonny, and Danielle, as well as great-grandchildren Taylor, Joe, Layla, and Lily. Tragically, one of her sons, Joseph, passed away shortly after birth in 1951.
Brodel's sister Joan Leslie, known for her roles in High Sierra (1941), Sergeant York (1941), and Yankee Doodle Dandy, passed away in 2015 at the age of 90. Mary Brodel, another sister who appeared in various films, including Sunset Murder Case (1938) and Down the Wyoming Trail (1939), also passed away in 2015 at the age of 98.
