Carole Lesley (27 May 1935 – 28 February 1974) was a British actress who had a short but significant career as a "blonde bombshell".

[1] She was born Maureen Rippingale in Chelmsford, Essex, but ran away from home at the age of 16, "aiming to become a star".

[4][5] However, Associated decided to end her contract, which devastated her and she disappeared from the public eye.

She subsequently lived in a semi-detached house overlooking New Barnet station in north London, but by 1973 was described as "a deeply depressed, once beautiful woman, still haunted by a glamorous past".

[5] She was found dead by her husband Michael Dalling in their New Barnet home on 28 February 1974.