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Barbara Bel GeddesAmerican actress, artist and writer
Date of Birth: 31.10.1922
Country:  USA |
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Biography of Barbara Bel Geddes
Barbara Bel Geddes was an American actress, artist, and writer. She was born in New York City to parents Eleanor Belle Bel Geddes (Snyder) and Norman Bel Geddes. At the age of 18, Barbara began her acting career and initially performed on stage in several Broadway productions. Some of her notable roles during this time include Maggie in the original Broadway production of Tennessee Williams' "Cat On A Hot Tin Roof" directed by Elia Kazan, and the lead role in Gene Kerr's successful comedy "Mary, Mary". Both performances earned her Tony Award nominations.
Acting Career
Barbara's acting career extended beyond the stage and into the world of film and television. In 1947, she made her film debut in "The Long Night" alongside Henry Fonda. In 1948, she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in "I Remember Mama". However, her career faced setbacks due to issues with the House Un-American Activities Committee. Fortunately, Barbara found a new opportunity in television. She appeared in several episodes of "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" and later reunited with Hitchcock in the full-length film "Vertigo" in 1958.
Dallas and Later Years
In 1978, Barbara became the first actress to receive a contract for the lead role in the television series "Dallas". Her portrayal of Miss Ellie Ewing, the matriarch and leader of the Ewing family, brought her international recognition. She played the role from 1978 to 1990, with a brief replacement in 1984 and 1985. Barbara was the only cast member to win an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series and also received a Golden Globe Award for her performance.
Outside of her acting career, Barbara was known as the author of two children's books and the creator of her own line of greeting cards. After retiring, she settled in Northeast Harbor, Maine, where she continued to pursue her artistic endeavors. Barbara was married twice, first to theater manager Carl Sawyer from 1944 to 1951, with whom she had a daughter named Susan. After their divorce, she married director Windsor Lewis and had another daughter named Betsy. She cared for Lewis until his death in 1972.
Barbara Bel Geddes passed away on August 8, 2005, from lung cancer. Throughout her career, she received numerous accolades and made significant contributions to the world of acting, art, and literature.
