Barbara Stanwyck born on July 16, 1907 and died on January 20, 1990. She was an American actress of film, stage, and screen.

Stanwyck played a variety of roles in comedy and dramas, and by the end of the 1930s she was a reliable leading lady. Her characters were usually tough, smart and resolute, giving the impression of having been around the block, as Stanwyck herself had: orphaned at the age of four, she was raised by an older sister and quit school at the age of 13.

She starred in Lady Eve (1941), Meet John Doe (1941), Double Indemnity (1944) and The Strange Love of Martha Ivers (1946).

She seemed to play mostly matriarchs and cattle baronesses in the '50s, and later had a second career in television, with The Barbara Stanwyck Show (1960-61) and The Big Valley (1965-69) and The Thorn Birds (1983).

She was married to Taylor but they divorced in 1951.

Stanwyck made at least two pictures a year until 1958, after which she made only three more films. She then turned to television, making the 'Barbara Stanwyck Show', and became known for her role as the matriarch in the hit western TV series, 'The Big Valley'.

In 1966, she received both an Emmy and the Screen Actors Guild Award. In 1982, she was awarded an 'honorary' Academy Award for her unique contribution to the art of screen acting.

Filmography

• "The Colbys" (24 episodes, 1985-1986)
• "Dynasty" (3 episodes, 1985)
• "The Thorn Birds" (1983)
• "Charlie's Angels" (1 episode, 1980)
• The Letters (1973)
• A Taste of Evil (1971)
• The House That Would Not Die (1970)
• "The Big Valley" (112 episodes, 1965-1969)
• The Night Walker (1964)
• Roustabout (1964)
• "Wagon Train" (4 episodes, 1961-1964)
• Calhoun: County Agent (1964)
• "The Untouchables" (2 episodes, 1962-1963)
• "The Dick Powell Show" (1 episode, 1962)
• Walk on the Wild Side (1962)
• "Rawhide" (1 episode, 1962)
• "General Electric Theater" (1 episode, 1961)
• "The Joey Bishop Show" (1 episode, 1961)
• "The Barbara Stanwyck Show" (31 episodes, 1960-1961
• "Zane Grey Theater" (4 episodes, 1958-1959)
• "Goodyear Theatre" (1 episode, 1958)
• Trooper Hook (1957)
• "The Christophers" (2 episodes, 1957)
• Crime of Passion (1957)
• Forty Guns (1957)
• "The Ford Television Theatre" (1 episode, 1956)
• These Wilder Years (1956)
• The Maverick Queen (1956)
• There's Always Tomorrow (1956)
• "Letter to Loretta" (2 episodes, 1955)
• Escape to Burma (1955)
• The Violent Men (1955)
• Cattle Queen of Montana (1954)
• Executive Suite (1954)
• Witness to Murder (1954)
• Blowing Wild (1953)
• The Moonlighter (1953)
• All I Desire (1953)
• Titanic (1953)
• Jeopardy (1953)
• Clash by Night (1952)
• The Man with a Cloak (1951)
• To Please a Lady (1950)
• The Furies (1950)
• No Man of Her Own (1950)
• The File on Thelma Jordon (1950)
• East Side, West Side (1949)
• The Lady Gambles (1949)
• Sorry, Wrong Number (1948)
• B.F.'s Daughter (1948)
• Cry Wolf (1947)
• The Other Love (1947)
• The Two Mrs. Carrolls (1947)
• California (1946)
• The Strange Love of Martha Ivers (1946)
• The Bride Wore Boots (1946)
• My Reputation (1946)
• Christmas in Connecticut (1945)
• Double Indemnity (1944)
• Flesh and Fantasy (1943)
• Lady of Burlesque (1943)
• The Gay Sisters (1942)
• The Great Man's Lady (1942)
• Ball of Fire (1941)
• You Belong to Me (1941)
• Meet John Doe (1941)
• The Lady Eve (1941)
• Remember the Night (1940)
• Golden Boy (1939)
• Union Pacific (1939)
• The Mad Miss Manton (1938)
• Always Goodbye (1938)
• Breakfast for Two (1937)
• Stella Dallas (1937)
• This Is My Affair (1937)
• Internes Can't Take Money (1937)
• The Plough and the Stars (1936)
• Banjo on My Knee (1936)
• His Brother's Wife (1936)
• The Bride Walks Out (1936)
• A Message to Garcia (1936)
• Annie Oakley (1935)
• Red Salute (1935)
• The Woman in Red (1935)
• The Secret Bride (1934)
• A Lost Lady (1934)
• Gambling Lady (1934)
• Ever in My Heart (1933)
• Baby Face (1933)
• Ladies They Talk About (1933)
• The Bitter Tea of General Yen (1933)
• The Purchase Price (1932)
• So Big! (1932)
• Shopworn (1932)
• Forbidden (1932)
• The Miracle Woman (1931)
• Night Nurse (1931)
• Ten Cents a Dance (1931)
• Illicit (1931)
• Ladies of Leisure (1930)
• Mexicali Rose (1929)
• The Locked Door (1929)
• Broadway Nights (1927)

Awards

• American Film Institute Life Achievement Award 1987
• Cecil B DeMille Award 1984
• Golden Globe Award Best Supporting Actress in Television "The Thorn Birds" 1983
• Emmy Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series "The Thorn Birds" 1982 - 83
• Honorary Oscar 1981
• Los Angeles Film Critics Association Career Achievement Award 1981
• Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award 1966
• Emmy Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Series "The Big Valley" 1965 - 66
• Emmy Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Series "The Barbara Stanwyck Show" 1960 - 61
• Venice Film Festival Special Jury Prize for Ensemble Acting "Executive Suite" 1954