Barbara Read was a Canadian-born American actress recognized for her roles in films such as Make Way for Tomorrow, Three Smart Girls, and The Spellbinder.
Personal and Family Life
Born on December 29, 1917, in Port Arthur, Ontario, Barbara Read was known for her talent in acting. She had four marriages throughout her life, including a notable marriage to actor William Talman, with whom she had two children. Her second marriage was to Willard Edward Josephy, with whom she had another two children. Barbara struggled with personal issues, including alcoholism, which affected her family life significantly.
Career
Barbara launched her acting career while under contract with Columbia Pictures but felt frustrated when she wasn’t cast in any films. She later joined Universal Pictures and found success in her role as one of the Craig sisters in Three Smart Girls, which became her most recognized film. However, her acting career dwindled over time, especially after her marriage to Talman in 1953.
Death and Legacy
Barbara Read sadly took her own life on December 11, 1963, at her home in Laguna Beach, California, by turning on the gas jets of her stove. She left a note attributing her actions to poor health. Her struggles with mental health and alcoholism had caused her significant distress, which ultimately affected her legacy.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Make Way for Tomorrow | 1937-05-09 | Rhoda Cooper |
| Coroner Creek | 1948-07-01 | Abbie Miles (as Barbara Reed) |
| Three Smart Girls | 1936-12-20 | Kay Craig |
| Key Witness | 1947-10-09 | Martha Higby (as Barbara Reed) |
| Behind the Mask | 1946-05-25 | Margo Lane (as Barbara Reed) |
| The Missing Lady | 1946-08-17 | Margo Lane (as Barbara Reed) |
| The Shadow Returns | 1946-02-16 | Margo Lane (as Barbara Reed) |
| Curtain Call | 1940-04-18 | Helen Middleton |
| Married and in Love | 1940-01-19 | Helen Yates |
| Sorority House | 1939-05-05 | Dotty Spencer |
| The Man Who Cried Wolf | 1937-08-29 | Nan |
| Midnight Intruder | 1938-02-06 | Patricia Hammond |
| The Crime of Doctor Hallet | 1938-03-12 | Claire Saunders |
| The Spellbinder | 1939-07-28 | Janet Marlowe |
| Too Many Women | 1942-02-27 | Linda Pearson |
| Death Valley | 1946-08-15 | Mitzi |
| Rubber Racketeers | 1942-06-26 | Mary Dale |
| The Mighty Treve | 1937-01-17 | Aileen Fenno |
| Ginger | 1947-01-04 | Peggy Sullivan (as Barbara Reed) |
| Merry Go Round of 1938 | 1937-11-14 | Clarice Stockbridge |
| The Road Back | 1937-06-01 | Lucy |