Barbara Payton: Hollywood Starlet's Rise & Tragic Fall
Could the shimmering facade of Hollywood conceal a tragedy of Shakespearean proportions? The story of Barbara Payton, a star who blazed brightly and then vanished into the shadows, offers a chilling glimpse into the dark underbelly of fame and its devastating consequences.
American actress Barbara Lee Redfield, known to the world as Barbara Payton, was born on November 16, 1927, in Cloquet, Minnesota. Her journey, which began with promise, ended prematurely on May 8, 1967, in San Diego, California, at the age of 39. Her life, a whirlwind of glamour, notoriety, and ultimately, despair, remains a cautionary tale of the price of ambition and the fragility of stardom. Her life was chronicled in the book "I Am Not Ashamed," first published in 1963, an absurdist account of a forgotten movie star's harrowing decline.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Barbara Lee Redfield (later known as Barbara Payton) |
| Born | November 16, 1927, Cloquet, Minnesota, USA |
| Died | May 8, 1967, San Diego, California, USA (aged 39) |
| Marriages | Five times |
| Known for | "Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye" (1950), "Bride of the Gorilla" (1951) |
| Early Life | Grew up in Cloquet, Minnesota; family moved to Odessa, TX after a forest fire; attended Baylor Junior High and Odessa High School |
| Career Highlights | Reached the pinnacle of Hollywood in 1950; starred in "Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye" alongside James Cagney; other notable films include "Trapped" (1949) and "The Great Jesse James Raid" (1953) |
| Later Life | Battled addiction to drugs and alcohol; career declined rapidly; died due to heart and liver failure at her parents' home |
| Legacy | A tragic figure in Hollywood history, her story serves as a warning against the dangers of fame, addiction, and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals; subject of several books |
| Reference | IMDB |
Her story is intertwined with the golden age of Hollywood, a period defined by both immense glamour and hidden shadows. Payton's beauty and screen presence were undeniable. In 1963, she sat down with ghostwriter Leo Guild to recount her tumultuous life, revealing the depths of her struggles. "I always have a little..." she reportedly said, a phrase that hints at the constant battles she faced.
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The allure of Hollywood was strong, but the path to success was often paved with complex choices and difficult compromises. According to John O'Dowd, author of "Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye: The Barbara Payton Story," Payton was a star in the making in the early 1950s. She was a blonde, beautiful woman, and her taste was ribald; she reached the pinnacle of Hollywood in 1950. Her most notable film is "Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye," alongside James Cagney. Other notable appearances include roles in films like "Trapped" (1949) and "The Great Jesse James Raid" (1953).
Her journey began in Cloquet, Minnesota, where she was born Barbara Lee Redfield on November 26, 1927. She had a carefree childhood, along with a younger brother, Frank. Her parents ran a restaurant and ice cream parlor. She was very athletic, enjoying skiing and ice skating. At eleven, her family moved to Odessa, TX, where she attended Baylor Junior High and Odessa High School after her grandfather's timberlands were burned by a forest fire.
The film "Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye" (1950) with James Cagney, remains one of her most well-known roles. The film showcased her ability to portray a complex character caught in a web of ambition and deceit. In addition to her acting work, Payton was rumored to have relationships with other prominent figures. However, few tales of hard luck can match Barbara Paytons precipitous fall from glory. The tragic story of Barbara Payton, a talented actress who knew both the highs and lows of Hollywood. Just sixteen years after starring alongside Gregory Peck in "Only the Valiant" (1951), she was dead.
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Her life took a dramatic turn. After that, Payton aligned herself with powerful men in the industry, hoping to secure her next major role. However, her dependence on drugs and alcohol eventually ruined her career. She passed away on May 8, 1967, at her parents' home. She was only 39 years old. She was cremated and interred at the Cypress View Mausoleum and Crematory in San Diego, California.
Her life has been the subject of several books, including "Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye: The Barbara Payton Story" (2007) by John O'Dowd, and "L.A. A Landscape of Crimes and Bad Times" (2005) by John Gilmore. In her brief life, she married five times. Lautobiographie de Barbara Payton, Hollywood, les hommes et moi, was published in French by La Manufacture de Livres, which reveals the life of the actress who knew glory for three years before disappearing and dying at the age of 39.
The decline of Barbara Payton is one of Hollywood's truly tragic stories, a stark reminder of the price of fame and the vulnerability of those who seek it. The "femme fatale" was a type of beauty frequently seen in film noir. Her role in the crime drama, "Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye" (1950) alongside James Cagney, made her famous.
While the glitz and glamour of Hollywood often overshadow the struggles of those within its grasp, the story of Barbara Payton stands as a poignant reminder of the human cost of chasing dreams and the importance of resilience in the face of adversity. Her story continues to captivate and disturb, serving as a timeless cautionary tale about the dangers of fame and the fragility of the human spirit.
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