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Wendy BarrieBritish theater and film actress.
Date of Birth: 18.04.1912
Country:  Great Britain |
Content:
Biography of Wendy Barrie
Marguerite Wendy Jenkins, better known as Wendy Barrie, was born on April 18, 1912, in Hong Kong. She was a British actress of theater and film.
Early Life
Barrie grew up in a wealthy family and received her education in prestigious schools in England and Switzerland. Her striking blue eyes and golden red hair greatly contributed to her acting career.
Acting Career
Barrie's acting career began in 1930 on the London theater stage. Initially, she worked at a beauty salon, but her talent was noticed and she was invited to try her luck in the play "Wonder Bar." She adopted the stage name Wendy Barrie, possibly in homage to J.M. Barrie, the author of "Peter Pan," who was her godfather.
In 1932, Barrie made her debut on the big screen in the drama "Threads." Her breakthrough came when she caught the attention of renowned producer Alexander Korda during a lunch at the Savoy Grill. She successfully auditioned and landed the role of Jane Seymour, the third of Henry VIII's six wives, in the film "The Private Life of Henry VIII" (1933), starring Charles Laughton. The film was a great success and won an Academy Award, propelling Barrie's career to Hollywood.
From 1934, Barrie left England for America and regularly appeared in films produced by MGM, Paramount, Universal, 20th Century Fox, and RKO. She initially played supporting roles in average films until she was offered the role of Kay Burton, a fatal woman and lover of a wealthy man, in the social drama "Dead End" (1937), alongside Humphrey Bogart. This role marked a turning point in her career, leading to a mix of supporting roles in blockbusters and lead roles in lower-tier films.
By the early 1940s, Barrie had appeared in over fifty British and American films. However, her career began to decline around 1942 due to negative publicity surrounding her rumored affair with gangster Bugsy Siegel, as well as the rise of a new generation of young and beautiful actresses. She decided to shift to television, which was gaining popularity in post-war America.
Television Career and Later Life
In 1948, Barrie became the host of two popular programs, "The Adventures of Oky Doky" and her own talk show, "The Wendy Barrie Show." Her relaxed and casual communication style endeared her to the audience and won over television critics. She also became one of the first celebrities to appear in television commercials, which proved to be a lucrative endeavor. In the 1960s, she hosted her own radio program from the Biltmore Hotel.
Barrie completed her last film in 1954 and appeared in her final television series in 1962. Her contributions to the film industry were recognized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Outside of her acting career, Barrie dedicated much of her time and energy to charity work. She frequently served as a guest speaker at various charitable events without seeking any compensation.
In 1942, Barrie became an American citizen. In the mid-1970s, she suffered a stroke that left her almost helpless for several years. She spent her final years in a nursing home in Englewood, New Jersey, where she passed away on February 2, 1978, at the age of 65.
