Born in Oklahoma, Vera Miles (born Vera Ralston, she had to change her name, as Republic Pictures' resident leading lady Vera Ralston got to Hollywood first) attended school in Pratt and Wichita, Kansas. Entering the beauty pageant circuit, she became "Miss Kansas" in 1948, and went to Hollywood soon soon after. She began landing small roles in minor films and in television. After a few such parts she was cast by John Ford as the spunky ingenue in the Western classic The Searchers. More leading roles quickly followed, and for a brief period she shone in a number of major films. However much of her subsequent work, both in feature films and in television movies, has been in material considerably below her abilities.



Daughters with Bob Miles: Debra Miles born in 1950 and Kelley Miles born in 1952. Son with Gordon Scott: Michael Scott born 1957. Son with Keith Larsen: Eric Larsen born April 30, 1961 in Burbank, California. Many people, for years, have argued over what Miles' middle name is. Some people say June, while others say May. In the late 1940s, made a television commercial for Lustre Creme shampoo. Her scenes as John Wayne's wife in The Green Berets (1968) were cut from the movie prior to its release. By sheer coincidence, all three of Vera's handsome, strapping ex-husbands died within a short time span. Her third husband, Keith Larsen died on December 13, 2006; first husband/stuntman and small part actor Bob Miles died on April 12, 2007; and bodybuilder second husband actor Gordon Scott, who played Tarzan in films, died on April 30, 2007. In The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962), John Wayne pursued Miss Miles, but lost her to James Stewart. Six years later, his luck improved. Miles played Wayne's wife in Hellfighters (1968) and The Green Berets (1968), though her scenes in the latter were left on the cutting room floor.