Barbara Stanwyck

Ruby Catherine Stevens
1907 - 1990 (congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive lung disease, emphysema)
American born Brooklyn

Nickname Missy, The Queen . Height 5' 5" (1.65 m) . Most of America's audiences see Barbara Stanwyck as the matriarch of the family known as the Barkley's on TV western "The Big Valley" (1965), where she played Victoria. Later she starred on the hit drama "The Colbys" (1985). But for millions of other fans, she had a movie career that spanned from 1927 until 1964 and then was on television until 1986. It was a film career that lasted for 59 years. She was born, Ruby Stevens, on July 16, 1907, in Brooklyn, New York. She went to work at the local telephone company for $14 dollars a week, but she had the urge to somehow enter show business. Dreams, that was all it was. When not working, she pounded the pavement in search of dancing jobs. The persistence paid off. Barbara was hired as a chorus girl for the princely sum of $40 a week. This was so much better than the wages she was getting from the phone company. She was 17, and she was going to make the most out of the opportunity that had been given her.In 1928, Barbara moved to Hollywood where she was to start out one of the most lucrative careers filmdom had ever seen. She was an extremely versatile actress, who could adapt to any role. Barbara was equally at home in diverse genres such as the melodrama Forbidden (1932) and Stella Dallas (1937), along with one of her best films, Double Indemnity (1944). The latter starred Fred MacMurray as you have never seen him before. She excelled in comedies such as Remember the Night (1940) and The Lady Eve (1941). One of her first westerns was Union Pacific (1939), and finally her most memorable role, in TV's "The Big Valley" (1965). In 1983, she played in the ABC hit mini-series "The Thorn Birds" (1983) (mini), which did much to keep her in the eye of the public. She turned out an outstanding performance as Mary Carson.Barbara was nominated for four Academy Awards, though she never won. The roles she was nominated for were all roles in which Barbara turned in magnificent performances, but the "powers that be" always awarded the Oscar to someone else. She was considered a gem to work with, for her serious but easygoing attitude on the set. She worked hard at being an actress, and she never allowed her star quality to go to her head. However, in 1982, Barbara was awarded an honorary Academy Award for "superlative creativity and unique contribution to the art of screen acting." Sadly, Barbara died on January 20, 1990, leaving 93 movies and a host of TV appearances as her legacy to us. Spouse Robert Taylor (13 May 1939 - 21 February 1951) (divorced), Frank Fay (26 August 1928 - 30 December 1935) (divorced) 1 child.

"The Colbys"(1986) , "Dynasty" (1985) , "The Thorn Birds" (1983) , "Charlie's Angels" (1980) , The Letters (1973) , A Taste of Evil (1971), The House That Would Not Die (1970) , "The Big Valley" (1969) , The Night Walker (1964) , Roustabout (1964) , "Wagon Train" (1961) , Calhoun: County Agent (1964) , "The Untouchables" (1962) , "The Dick Powell Show" (1962) , Walk on the Wild Side (1962) , "Rawhide" (1962) , "General Electric Theater" (1961) , "The Joey Bishop Show" (1961) , "The Barbara Stanwyck Show" (1961) , "Zane Grey Theater" (1958) , "Goodyear Theatre" (1958) , Trooper Hook (1957) , "The Christophers" (1957) , Crime of Passion (1957) , Forty Guns (1957) , "The Ford Television Theatre" (1956) ,These Wilder Years (1956) , The Maverick Queen (1956) , There's Always Tomorrow (1956) , "Letter to Loretta" (1955) , Escape to Burma (1955) , The Violent Men (1955) , Cattle Queen of Montana (1954) , Executive Suite (1954) , Witness to Murder (1954) , Blowing Wild (1953) , The Moonlighter (1953) , All I Desire (1953) , Titanic (1953) , Jeopardy (1953) , Clash by Night (1952) , The Man with a Cloak (1951) , To Please a Lady (1950) , The Furies (1950) , No Man of Her Own (1950) , The File on Thelma Jordon (1950) , East Side, West Side (1949) , The Lady Gambles (1949) , Sorry, Wrong Number (1948) , B.F.'s Daughter (1948) , Cry Wolf (1947) , The Other Love (1947) , The Two Mrs. Carrolls (1947) , California (1946) , The Strange Love of Martha Ivers (1946) , The Bride Wore Boots (1946) , My Reputation (1946) , Christmas in Connecticut (1945) , Double Indemnity (1944) , Flesh and Fantasy (1943) , Lady of Burlesque (1943) , The Gay Sisters (1942) , The Great Man's Lady (1942) , Ball of Fire (1941) , You Belong to Me (1941) , Meet John Doe (1941) , The Lady Eve (1941) , Remember the Night (1940) , Golden Boy (1939) , Union Pacific (1939) , The Mad Miss Manton (1938) , Always Goodbye (1938) , Breakfast for Two (1937) , Stella Dallas (1937) , This Is My Affair (1937) , Internes Can't Take Money (1937) , The Plough and the Stars (1936) , Banjo on My Knee (1936) , His Brother's Wife (1936) , The Bride Walks Out (1936) , A Message to Garcia (1936) , Annie Oakley (1935) , Red Salute (1935), The Woman in Red (1935) , The Secret Bride (1934) , A Lost Lady (1934) , Gambling Lady (1934) , Ever in My Heart (1933) , Baby Face (1933) , Ladies They Talk About (1933) , The Bitter Tea of General Yen (1933) , The Purchase Price (1932) , So Big! (1932) , Shopworn (1932) , Forbidden (1932) , The Miracle Woman (1931) , Night Nurse (1931) , Ten Cents a Dance (1931) , Illicit (1931) , Ladies of Leisure (1930) , Mexicali Rose (1929) , The Locked Door (1929) , Broadway Nights (1927)