Barbara Whiting Smith (May 19, 1931 â€" June 9, 2004) was an actress in movies and on radio and television, primarily in the 1940s and 1950s. She received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Background
Born in Los Angeles to Eleanor and Richard Whiting, she was the daughter of Richard A. Whiting, the composer who wrote classics such as "Hooray for Hollywood," "Too Marvelous for Words," "On the Good Ship Lollipop," "Ain't We Got Fun?," and "Till We Meet Again".
Career
Her movie career began with the 1945 film, Junior Miss, a movie based on her popular radio show by the same name. This was followed by nine other starring roles until she married Gail Smith and retired. On television, she hosted the show Those Whiting Girls on CBS, along with her sister, Margaret Whiting.
Other film credits include:
- Centennial Summer (1946)
- Home, Sweet Homicide (1946)
- Carnival in Costa Rica (1947)
- City Across the River (1949)
- I Can Get It for You Wholesale (1951)
- Beware, My Lovely (1952)
- Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder (1952)
- Dangerous When Wet (1953)
- Paris Follies of 1956 (1955)
Barbara worked with some of the greatest actors and directors in the business throughout her career including: Directors: George Seaton, Otto Preminger, Charles Walters, Richard Quine, Harry Horner, Michael Gordon, Gregory Ratoff, Lloyd Bacon
Actors: Susan Hayward, Tony Curtis, George Sanders, Walter Brennan, Peggy Ann Garner, Randolph Scott, Celeste Holm, Vera-Ellen, Ida Lupino, Dean Stockwell, Constance Bennett, Jeanne Crain, Robert Ryan, Esther Williams, and Jack Carson just to name a few
Television Appearances:
- "The Ed Sullivan Show"
- "The Jimmy Durante Show"
- "The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show"
- "Starlight Theatre"
- "Walt Disney anthology television series"
- "Your Jeweler's Showcase (TV series)"
- "The Bigelow Theatre"
- "Dragnet (TV series)"
- "The Public Defender (TV series)"
- "Fireside Theatre"
- "TV Reader's Digest"
- "Men of Annapolis"
Radio career
Barbara's radio career was what she was most known for during her lifetime. In 1948 she began to star in CBS's extremely popular radio program "Junior Miss" It was one of the most successful radio shows of the time especially with younger audiences.
Other radio roles both starring and guest appearing include:
- "Hollywood Star Time"
- "Meet Corliss Archer"
- "The Screen Guild Theater"
- "The Great Gildersleeve"
- "Family Theater"
- "The Bing Crosby Show"
- "Escape (radio program)"
- "The Railroad Hour"
- "Suspense (radio drama)"
- "Broadway Is My Beat"
- "Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar"
- "The Line-Up"
- "You Were There (Radio Program)"
- "Romance (Radio Program)"
Life After Career
Barbara lived a quiet life, dedicated to her son Richard. She could often be found feeding the squirrels while singing and dancing around her kitchen.
Death
Barbara had been treated for breast cancer and other forms of cancer. She died due to cancer, in Pontiac, Michigan, aged 73, in 2004.
External links
- Short Biography
- IMDb profile
