Name Barbara Smith Role Actress | Children Richard Whiting Smith | |
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Died June 9, 2004, Pontiac, Michigan, United States Spouse Gail Smith (m. 1959–1991), Johnny Haddon Downes (m. 1951) Parents Richard A. Whiting, Eleanor Whiting Movies and TV shows Dangerous When Wet, Those Whiting Girls, Centennial Summer, I Can Get It for You Wholesale, Paris Follies of 1956 Similar People Margaret Whiting, Richard A Whiting, Fernando Lamas, Charles Walters, Otto Preminger | ||
Barbara Whiting Smith (May 19, 1931 – 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.
Contents
- Background
- Career
- Select film credits
- Select television appearances
- Radio career
- Walk of Fame
- Life After Career
- Personal life
- Death
- References
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 co-starred with her sister, Margaret Whiting in Those Whiting Girls on CBS. The program debuted July 4, 1955, as a summer replacement for I Love Lucy.
Select film credits
Select television appearances
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:
Walk of Fame
On February 8, 1960, Barbara was honored with a star, at 6443 Hollywood Boulevard, in the television section of the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Life After Career
Barbara was a "longtime volunteer" at St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital, Pontiac, Michigan. She lived a quiet life, dedicated to her son Richard.
Personal life
On May 7, 1959, Whiting married Gail Smith, an advertising professional. It was her first marriage and his second. They had a son, Richard Whiting Smith.
Death
Barbara died of cancer, in Pontiac, Michigan, aged 73, June 9, 2004. She was survived by her sister and a son.