She was born Barbara French Read on December 29, 1917 in Port Arthur, Canada. Her father, John Howard Read, was a contractor. When she was a teenager she moved to California to live with her aunt. While watching a movie being filmed in Laguna Beach a talent scout offered her a screen test. Sixteen year old Barbara was signed by Columbia studios. After six months with the studio she hadn't been cast in a single film. She decided to join the Laguna Beach Players theater to gain some experience as an actress. In 1936 she signed with Universal and made her film debut in the comedy Three Smart Girls. Her performance as Deanna Durbin's sister got positive reviews. The lovely brunette was given small roles in Sorority House and The Man Who Cried Wolf. Barbara eloped with artist William Paul in September of 1936. The marriage was annulled just two months later. She married Sgt. John Crawford in 1942. By this time her career was in trouble and she was having trouble getting parts.
Then in 1945 she was cast as Margo Lane in The Shadow Returns. She played Margo again in two sequels - Behind The Mask and The Missing Lady. After divorcing her husband she married William Josephy, her press agent, in 1947. The couple had two sons together - Damon and Quentin. Barbara quit acting and devoted herself to being a full time mother. Her final role was in the 1948 film Coroner Creek. She and William were divorced in 1951. The following year she married her fourth husband, actor William Talman. They had a daughter named Barbara and a son named William. Unfortunately she and her husband were both alcoholics. Their marriage was very turbulent and they divorced in 1960. Soon after she lost custody of their children and fell into a deep depression. Tragically on December 11, 1963 she committed suicide in her home by turning on the gas. She was only forty-six years old. Barbara left a note that said she was in "ill health" and gave instructions about her estate. She was cremated and buried at Melrose Abbey Memorial Park
Anaheim, California.
