Lesley O'Toole-Roque

Lesley O’Toole-Roque – June 28, 1963 – March 11, 2026

Lesley Jane O’Toole-Roque was born in Wendover, England, and raised across various parts of the UK before moving to Los Angeles in 1993, where she lived until her passing from cancer. She was 62.

Alongside her younger sister Wendy and their parents, Audrey – who worked as a secretary for Aldershot Football Club – and Edward (Ted) – an engineer and Squadron Leader with the Royal Air Force – Lesley experienced a childhood shaped by frequent relocations during her formative years, including a three year stint in Germany on RAF stations.

She attended Farnborough Hill Convent, where she excelled both academically and athletically. As a teenager, she represented her school and the county of Hampshire in sprinting, hurdles, long jump, and hockey. An exemplary student (despite her skipping school to see one of her heroes at Wimbledon – John McEnroe), she went on to attend Bristol University, where she earned a law degree. At the same time, her passion for music – particularly live bands – became a defining interest. She founded the fanzine Inside Out, interviewing the likes of U2, The Smiths, Simple Minds, Big Sur, and Echo & the Bunnymen. What began as a passion soon evolved into a career, and she shifted her focus fully to journalism.

She was hired by the British weekly music newspaper Record Mirror, where she quickly rose to Editor of Live Reviews, before being headhunted as London Editor for Australia’s Countdown magazine. In 1989, during a round-the-world trip with her sister, she was offered a position with Attic Futura Publishing in Sydney, where she worked for three years before relocating once more – this time to Los Angeles.

In Hollywood, Lesley became one of the most respected freelance journalists, interviewing A-list talent such as Harrison Ford and Angelina Jolie for prestigious outlets including The Guardian, The Times, The Independent, Evening Standard, Metro, Sunday Express, Marie Claire, Stylist, and Cosmopolitan. In her later years, she contributed regularly to Variety and the Los Angeles Times. Her work also extended into scriptwriting and producing.

Lesley’s interests extended far beyond her career. She was a dedicated yoga practitioner, an avid runner, and a regular presence on the trails of Runyon Canyon. She had a deep love of animals and was committed to rescuing them whenever she could. Equally, she was passionately engaged in a wide range of social and political causes. Among those closest to her heart was the preservation of Spaulding Square, where she made her home with her husband, Jairo, and son, Kai. She was a tireless advocate for protecting its history and unique character. She also championed women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and any cause that sought to defend fundamental human rights.

Her love of the ocean – she often said, “the beach is my church” – drew her repeatedly to the shores of Hawaii, particularly Kauai. So profound was her connection to that place that she named her only son, Kai, the Hawaiian word for “ocean.” She met the love of her life, Jairo, in 1995; their son Kai was born in 2004, making their wedding a family affair when they married on the beaches of Malibu in 2007.

Lesley often traveled back to England to spend time with family and friends. She was especially drawn to Ireland, where Ted was born, and few things made her happier than sipping Guinness in the familiarity of an Irish pub.

Terms like generous to a fault, formidable, or a force of nature barely begin to capture Lesley. Her family and friends will remember her for her upbeat, optimistic spirit, even in the face of circumstances so dire they would have defeated most people.

Anyone fortunate enough to call Lesley their friend knew all too well how fiercely loyal she was. She treasured that wide circle of friends, for whom she would drop whatever she was doing without hesitation and at a moment’s notice. There were no bounds to her generosity. Many aspects of Lesley will be forever remembered, and without a doubt, one of her most unforgettable and enduring qualities was her laugh. She laughed easily, loudly, and often. In fact, her laugh would often announce her arrival before she even came into view. Sharing laughter with those she loved was essential to who she was – and it was something she offered generously, all her life.

Lesley will be much missed by Jairo, Kai, Ted, Wendy, and many, many friends.