Sunday, December 5, 2010

Barbara Stanwyck - Classic Movie Goddess of the Month Part 2

Here are some facts and trivia about Babs:

Date of birth: 16 July 1907
Birth name: Ruby Catherine Stevens
Nicknames: Missy, The Queen
Height: 5'5"

Often called "The Best Actress Who Never Won an Oscar.

In 1944, when she earned $400,000, the government listed her as the nation's highest-paid woman.


Was married to actor Robert Taylor from 1939 to 1952.

Was of Scots-Irish and English descent.


Her mother died when she was accidentally knocked off a trolley by a drunk. Barbara was four at the time.

Worked briefly as a fashion model in the late 1920s.


Was listed #11 on the American Film Institute's "100 Years of The Greatest Screen Legends."


She was voted the 40th "Greatest Movie Star of All Time" by Entertainment Weekly.


Died on January 20th, 1990 from heart failure.

She did not have a funeral and has no grave. Her ashes are scattered in Lone Pine, California.


Has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame located at 1751 Vine St.


William Holden was considered to be too lightweight for the lead role in Golden Boy (1939), but Stanwyck urged producers to keep him in the picture and it was through her efforts he was kept in the picture, and the role made him a star. In 1978, at the The 50th Annual Academy Awards (1978) (TV), before starting the presentation of the sound award, Holden publicly thanked her for what she did. She nearly broke down in tears and kissed Holden, and the exchange received thunderous audience applause.

2 comments:

  1. I always wondered why Barbara changed her name...and how she ever picked Stanwyck. Interesting post. I didn't know about her mom's death when she was so young.

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  2. Monty, thank you for sharing some trivia about Babs.

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