A note from Lindsey: Today I’m kicking off a new series, Star Spotlight. These posts used to appear under a “Classic Stars Guide” tab but I had some trouble with the formatting last time I redesigned my blog, so I’ve decided to just give ’em their own category instead! Star Spotlight will feature brief overviews of the careers of some of our favorite classic Hollywood stars, and there’s no better way to start the series than by looking at my favorite actress, Barbara Stanwyck! I hope you all will enjoy this new series, and feel free to leave suggestions of people I should feature.

Barbara Stanwyck

missyBorn Ruby Catherine Stevens
Date of birth: July 16, 1907
Date of death: January 20, 1990

Roles

First role: Broadway Nights (1927)
First credited role: The Locked Door (1929)
Final film role: The Letters (TV movie, 1973)
Final television role: The Colbys

TMP’s favorite Stanwyck performance: The Miracle Woman (1931)

Best known for…

…being able to pull off any type of role, from the romantic lead to the tough Western gal

…having a fantastic film career before finding equal success in TV later in life

…launching William Holden’s career by fighting for him to appear in Golden Boy

…being so well-respected by her peers that they nicknamed her “The Queen”

…realistic performances

Notable awards:

  • Nominated for four Oscars before receiving an honorary award in 1981
  • In addition to the honorary Oscar, received honorary awards from the Screen Actors Guild, Los Angeles Film Critcs Association and the American Film Institute
  • Won three Emmy awards for The Barbara Stanwyck Show, The Big Valley and The Thorn Birds
  • Received a star on the Walk of Fame in 1960

More Barbara Stanwyck on TMP:
All reviews of Barbara Stanwyck films can be found in the “Barbara Stanwyck Filmography Project” section, linked in the right-hand sidebar!

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