It could only be named for Valley-based screen actress Cleo Moore (c. 1923-1973) although I don’t know the exact reason why. Cleo Una Moore was born outside of Baton Rouge. In 1942, a weeks-long marriage to the son of the late Louisiana governor/senator Huey Long was the first of many romantic escapades that would land her name in newspapers. She moved to the SFV with her family three years later and began studying acting. With her blonde bombshell looks, Moore quickly became a local celebrity and was crowned “Miss Van Nuys” in 1947. A Hollywood career followed, but Moore was no Marilyn Monroe and had to settle for semi-fame, usually playing the “bad girl” role in a series of B-movies. She frankly became better known for her active lovelife and her various publicity stunts. It also seems she couldn’t turn down any offer to appear at conventions, dedications, and so forth: in 1955, when Cleomoore Avenue was named, our subject held the titles of “Miss Air Reservist”, “Miss Sales Appeal”, and “Miss Furniture Week”. Moore retired from acting in 1957, became something of a businesswoman, and married homebuilder Herbert Heftler in 1961. She had one daughter: Debra.
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