Leela Mishra was a popular character actor in the Hindi film industry, where she worked for over five decades. During this long-spanning career, Mishra worked in more than two hundred films. She is best remembered for playing the stock character of an elderly aunt in films such as Geet Gaata Chal (1975), Nadiya Ke Paar (1982) and Abodh (1984). Her role as Mausi (aunt) in Ramesh Sippy's blockbuster hit, Sholay (1975) has now been immortalized in Hindi film history.

Mishra began her career in Hindi films during the 1940s. She acted in a number of successful films during this period which includes films such as Anmol Ghadi (1948), Raj Kapoor's Awaara (1951) and Lajwanti (1958). The latter was nominated for the Palme d'Or for Best Film at the Cannes Film Festival in 1959. Leela Mishra also acted in a rare well developed role in Pati Patni (1966) where she played an over-the-top rich woman's role. She was highly praised for this role due to her impeccable comic timing.

For the next few decades, Mishra assumed a successful screen persona of an aunt. Within the limitations of the persona, Mishra played the negative role as well as a comic one.  She also acted in the first Bhojpuri film, Ganga Maiyya Tohe Piyari Chadhaibo (1962).

She died of a heart attack on 17 January 1988 at the age of 80.