Top 10 Facts about Neile Adams

Actress Neile Adams. Photo by Bureau of Industrial Service for CBS Television on Wikimedia

Top 10 Facts about Neile Adams

Neile Adams is a Filipina American actress, singer and dancer who made more than twenty appearances in films and television series between 1952 and 1991. Neile was born Ruby Neilam Salvador Adams and uses the name Neile Adams professionally.

She was born on 10th July 1932 in Manila, Philippines. Neile is the daughter of Carmen Salvador and Jose Arista.

The father of Neile is the great-grandfather of legendary musician Enrique Iglesias. Her mother was Carmen Salvador alias ‘Miami’ who was a hula dancer of Spanish and German descent.

Neile spent her early life in the Philippines where she once served as a spy until she got wounded. She relocated to the United States later on after the injury incident.

In the United States, Neile studied at a private school known as Rosemary Hall which is based in Connecticut. After completing her junior school, she headed to New York where she joined the Katherine Dunham School of Dance.

Neile began her studying classes at the Katherine Dunham School of Dance after getting a scholarship. This is how Neile Adams began making a great life for herself after joining the dance school. Neile Adams is a great personality who has influenced the lives of several people as she is widely admired.

Here are the top 10 Facts about Neile Adams;

1. Neile Lived with Her Mother and Never Met Her Father

Neile Adams was born in Manila to Jose Arista and her mother Carmen Salvador. Her mother, Carmen was a great hula dancer of Spanish and German descent.

She spent most of her life living with her mother who got the nickname ’Miami’. Neile Adams never met his father whose story nor background she never talks about.

2. She was a Spy of Guerrilla Groups during her Teens

As Neile Adams grew up, World War Two began which sprung war everywhere in the world. In Manila, there were several invasions by some countries that were not allied to them.

Among the invading countries to the Philippines was Japan. The Japanese army had occupied Manila during World War Two.

Several resistance groups were formed to fight against the Japanese army. These groups included the Guerrilla groups that needed help from the common citizens.

Neile Adams was so crucial during this war period for her country. She was a spy for the Philippine resistance.

Her role was to carry messages between guerrilla groups. Neile’s role was so important in helping to fight off the Japanese army.

3. Neile got Wounded by Shrapnel during World War Two

Playing a major role as a spy during World War Two, Neile did not stick to this role for long. The Japanese army was using crude weapons which were overwhelming the Philippine resistance.

At some point during the Allied liberation of the island, Neile Adams got injured badly. Shrapnel from a huge explosion struck Neile Adams who backed up from being a spy.

4. She Won a Scholarship to Study Dancing in the United States

Neile Adams in 1960. Photo by CBS Television via the Bureau of Industrial Service on Wikimedia

After getting wounded during the war, Neile Adams had to explore other options available to keep herself alive. She relocated to the United States In 1948.

While in the United States, Neile attended school at Rosemary Hall. This is a private school that is located in Connecticut.

After completing her studies at Rosemary Hall, Neile Adams won a scholarship to study dancing. Through the scholarship, she joined the Katherine Dunham School of Dance.

5. Neile Chose to Shorten her Name to Avoid Typecasting

Neile Adams was born Ruby Neilam Salvador Adams in Manila, Philippines. However, after living a tough life in Manila, she relocated to the United States.

In the United States, Neile started gaining more popularity after joining the dancing school. She decided to shorten her name from Ruby Neilam Salvador Adams to Neile Adams.

The major purpose of this was to avoid typecasting. For several years, she has been known as Neile Adams rather than her birth name.

6. She was held back from joining Broadway Production

Neile Adams was contracted to the Versailles Club after her university studies. In 1958, she had a major offer to switch sides from her initial contract.

Producer George Abbott offered Neile Adams a major role in the Broadway production of Damn Yankees. However, Versailles Club denied to release her from her contract as a dancer.

7. Adams was Married Twice and had Two Children

Neile Adams’ marriage life was a bit rocky at the start. She got married to her first husband, then-struggling actor Steve McQueen.

Their marriage took place four months after they first met in 1956. The two met while McQueen was filming a movie with MGM where she was contracted.

Neile and McQueen had two children, Terry Leslie McQueen who lived from 1959 to 1998 and Chad McQueen who was born in 1960. They divorced later in 1972.

Later on, Neile Adams got married to Alvin Toffel who was a political campaign manager and president of Norton Simon Museum. Their marriage lasted till his death in 2005.

8. Neile had an Extra-Marital Affair with an Actor that Led to First Marriage Divorce

Steve McQueen with Neile Adams. Photo by CBC Television on Wikimedia

The first marriage of Neile Adams to actor Steve McQueen never ended well. The two had been together for quite some time and had two children.

However, Neile openly revealed that she had an extra-marital affair with Australian actor Maximilian Schell. After McQueen got to know about this, he turned violent because he could not tolerate it. This led to their divorce.

9. She is Related to Famous People like Enrique Iglesias

Neile Adams is well known across the world and is also related to some of the most popular people in the world. She is the grandmother of famous actors Steven R McQueen and Molly McQueen Flattery.

Neile is also the former mother-in-law of actress Stacey Toten. She is also closely related to popular Spanish singer Enrique Iglesias. Her relationship with Enrique Iglesias is through her father’s side.

10. Neile Featured in More Than 20 Screen and Television Productions

Neile Adams is a renowned actress, singer and dancer. During her active days, she featured in more than 20 screen and television productions.

She got several credits for her work in the entertainment industry. Some of her screen credits include Women in Chains, Fuzz So Long, Blue Boy and Chu Chu and Philly Flash. Her television credits include The Perry Como Show, two Bob Hope Christmas specials and many more.

Neile Adams will always be a great personality across the world who deserves all praise for what she did. Her legacy and influence will always be acknowledged.