Biography.guide
Home › People › Actor › Barbara Whiting
Portrait of Barbara Whiting

Barbara Whiting

1931 – 2004

American actress and singer

Don't just read it — keep itBiographies to ownE-book · Audio · Video From $7 →

About Barbara Whiting

Lived 1931 – 2004 (aged 73). Barbara Whiting was an American actor, singer, television actor and film actor.

Barbara Whiting Smith (May 19, 1931 – June 9, 2004) was an American actress and singer.

Early life Whiting was born in Los Angeles, California, the daughter of music manager Eleanor Youngblood Whiting and composer Richard A. Whiting. Her older sister was singer Margaret Whiting.

Career Her movie career began with the 1945 film, Junior Miss, a movie based on her popular radio show by the same name.

Whiting's radio career was what she was most known for during her lifetime. In 1948 she began to star in CBS's Junior Miss. It was one of the most successful radio shows of the time especially with younger audiences.

On February 8, 1960, Barbara was honored with a star at 6443 Hollywood Boulevard, in the television section of the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Personal life and death On May 7, 1959, Whiting married Gail Smith, an advertising professional. It was her first marriage and his second. They had a son, Richard Whiting Smith. (with sister Margaret Whiting) - Barbara Walton

Select television appearances The Ed Sullivan Show Starlight Theatre (1950) The Bigelow Theatre (1951) Dragnet (1954) The Public Defender (1954) - Elly Black / Torry Those Whiting Girls - Desilu Studios (1955-1957) (TV serial) Fireside Theatre (1955) - Marian The Jimmy Durante Show (1955) - Herself - Suzy the Hatcheck Girl TV Reader's Digest (1956) - Birdie The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show (1956) - Herself - Singer Men of Annapolis (1957) - Willie (Wilhelmina)

Select radio credits Hollywood Star Time Meet Corliss Archer The Screen Guild Theater The Great Gildersleeve Family Theater The Bing Crosby Show Escape The Railroad Hour Suspense Broadway Is My Beat On Stage Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar

Biography shop

Don’t just read it —
keep it.

Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.

  • E-book
  • Audio
  • Video
Browse the shop — from $7

Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free

Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Awards
Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
Also known as
Barbara Whiting Smith

People in Barbara Whiting's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Barbara Whiting's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Barbara Whiting?

American actress and singer

When was Barbara Whiting born?

Barbara Whiting was born on 19 May 1931 in Los Angeles.

When did Barbara Whiting die?

Barbara Whiting died on 9 June 2004 in Pontiac.

What was Barbara Whiting's occupation?

Barbara Whiting was an actor, singer, television actor and film actor.

What nationality was Barbara Whiting?

Barbara Whiting was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Barbara Whiting

· Wikidata: Q4859406

· DBpedia: Barbara Whiting

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Barbara Whiting. https://biography.guide/barbara-whiting/

MLA: "Barbara Whiting." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/barbara-whiting/.

Chicago: "Barbara Whiting." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/barbara-whiting/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-22 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Page generated 2026-09-27 05:28 UTC