Leighton was born in Sydney and studied at St John's School, Darlinghurst, before winning a scholarship to Cleveland Boys High School. He was working for his father when he heard the theatrical firm
J.C. Williamson Ltd were conducting voice trials at Her Majesty's Theatre. He auditioned and three months later was employed by the company in a production of
The Lady of the Rose. He worked for Williamsons over the next 13 years, acting in dramas, comedies and musicals, including productions of
Blue Roses,
Hold My Hand,
Our Miss Gibbs,
The Quaker Girl,
The Merry Widow and
The Maid of the Mountains opposite
Gladys Moncrieff. He understudied for visiting star
William Feversham in a production of
The Prince and the Pauper. Leighton also acted in movies, starting with
Two Minutes Silence (1933). His most notable credits were leading roles in
Thoroughbred (1936) and
Tall Timbers (1937) for
Cinesound Productions. He sang briefly in
Tall Timbers where he was called "a solid hero". His co-star in
Thoroughbred was
Helen Twelvetrees with whom Ken G. Hall claims Leighton had an affair during filming.
Later career Leighton moved to London in 1937, where he mostly worked in theatre. He declared bankruptcy in 1950. Leighton died in 1962 of a brain hemorrhage. He was on board the ship
Canberra while returning to Australia from Britain. He was 56 years old and left behind a widow and six-year-old daughter. ==Filmography==