Laguna Niguel Rites Saturday for Lee Bonnell, Former Actor
Memorial services will be held in Laguna Niguel Saturday for Lee Bonnell, a former actor and the husband of actress Gale Storm. Bonnell, 67, died Monday at Santa Monica Hospital of a heart attack.
A native of Royal Center, Ind., Bonnell came to Hollywood in the 1930s after winning the “Gateway to Hollywood” national talent search by CBS Radio. He later married Storm, who had won the female segment of the contest.
Before World War II, he appeared in feature films for RKO Studios, including “Look Who’s Laughing” with Lucille Ball.
After serving in the Coast Guard in World War II, Bonnell returned to Hollywood but later gave up his screen career to enter the life-insurance business. He established the Lee Bonnell Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Agency, based in Encino.
Bonnell retired to South Laguna in 1982.
He is survived by his wife, sons Phillip, Peter and Paul, daughter Suzie Harrigan and seven grandchildren.
Memorial services are scheduled for noon Saturday at the South Shore Baptist Church, 32712 Crown Valley Parkway, Laguna Niguel.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
