Tom Neal

Tom Neal

Thomas Carroll Neal Jr. was an American actor and successful amateur boxer. Best known for his costarring role in the critically lauded film Detour, for having a widely publicized affair with actress Barbara Payton, and for later being convicted and imprisoned for manslaughter. In 1961, Neal married receptionist Gale Bennett in Las Vegas.

About Tom Neal in brief

Summary Tom NealThomas Carroll Neal Jr. was an American actor and successful amateur boxer. Best known for his costarring role in the critically lauded film Detour, for having a widely publicized affair with actress Barbara Payton, and for later being convicted and imprisoned for manslaughter. Born in Evanston, Illinois, Neal was one of three children born to banker Thomas, Sr. and Mayme Neal. He appeared in various stage productions in summer stock before making his way to New York City in 1933. Neal made his Broadway debut in 1935. In 1938, he first appeared in film in Out West with the Hardys, part of the Mickey Rooney \”Hardy family\” movie series.

In 1961, Neal married receptionist Gale Bennett in Las Vegas. On April 2, 1965, police were summoned to the couple’s Palm Springs home by Neal’s attorney. They discovered Bennett’s body on the couch partially covered by a blanket with a gunshot wound in the back of her head. It was later determined that Bennett had shot with a.45 caliber gun on April 1. He surrendered to police on April 3 and was indicted on one charge of murder. At his trial, Neal admitted that he and Bennett were separated at the time of her death but said that her death was accidental.