Barbara_Whiting

Barbara Whiting

Barbara Whiting

American actress and singer (1931–2004)


Barbara Whiting Smith (May 19, 1931 – June 9, 2004) was an American actress and singer.

Quick Facts Born, Died ...

Early life

Whiting was born in Los Angeles, California, the daughter of music manager Eleanor Youngblood Whiting and composer Richard A. Whiting.[1][2] Her older sister was singer Margaret Whiting.

Career

Her movie career began with the 1945 film, Junior Miss, a movie based on her popular radio show by the same name.[1] This was followed by nine other starring roles until she married Gail Smith and retired.

On television, she co-starred with her sister, Margaret in Those Whiting Girls on CBS. The program debuted July 4, 1955, as a summer replacement for I Love Lucy.[3]

Whiting's radio career was what she was most known for during her lifetime. In 1948 she began to star in CBS's Junior Miss. It was one of the most successful radio shows of the time especially with younger audiences.[citation needed]

On February 8, 1960, Barbara was honored with a star at 6443 Hollywood Boulevard, in the television section of the Hollywood Walk of Fame.[4]

Personal life and death

On May 7, 1959, Whiting married Gail Smith, an advertising professional. It was her first marriage and his second.[5] They had a son, Richard Whiting Smith.[1]

Barbara was a "longtime volunteer" at St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital, Pontiac, Michigan.[1] She lived a quiet life, dedicated to her son Richard.

Whiting died of cancer, in Pontiac, Michigan, aged 73, June 9, 2004. She was survived by her sister and a son.[1]

Filmography

Select film credits

Select television appearances

Select radio credits


References

  1. "Film Actress Barbara Whiting Smith Dies". The Index-Journal. The Index-Journal. June 13, 2004. p. 4. Retrieved August 6, 2015 via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  2. "Premiere Set for New Show". The Daily Herald. The Daily Herald. June 27, 1955. p. 17. Retrieved August 6, 2015 via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  3. "Barbara Whiting Smith". Hollywood Walk of Fame. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
  4. "Barbara Whiting And Ad Man Marry". The Times. The Times. May 11, 1959. p. 27. Retrieved August 6, 2015 via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  5. "(movie ad)". Brownwood Bulletin. Brownwood Bulletin. June 13, 1956. p. 2. Retrieved August 6, 2015 via Newspapers.com. Open access icon

Share this article:

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article Barbara_Whiting, and is written by contributors. Text is available under a CC BY-SA 4.0 International License; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.