Actress once left octet short (5)

I believe the answer is:

leigh

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'actress' is the definition.
(I know that Leigh is or was a actress)

I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for leigh that I've seen before include "Vivien . . . . . played Scarlett O'Hara in 'Gone With the Wind'" , "Mike - - (film director)" , "Vivien -, actress (Gone with the Wind)" , "Lancashire town" , "Vivien, Janet or Mike" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.

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