Barbara Billingsley was a well-known American actress who dominated the entertainment industry in the 90s. Rising to fame for her role as June Cleaver in the television series Leave It to Beaver, she impressed viewers with her acting skills and on-screen presence.
Starting her career with small and uncredited roles, she spent over five decades in the industry. Throughout her career, she played diverse roles, showcasing her passion for acting.
A legendary actress, Barbara Billingsley left the world in 2010, at the age of 94. Even though she is gone, her popularity remains. If you are among those who grew up watching her movies and TV shows, you might want to know more about her career and success.
Contents
Early Life
Barbara Billingsley was born on 22nd December 1915, in Los Angeles, California. Her birth name was Barbara Lillian Combes. Her parents were Robert Collyer Combes, a policeman, and Lillian Agnes, a homemaker. She also had an elder sister named Elizabeth.
Barbara was only four years old when her parents divorced. After their separation, her mother started working at a knitting mill while his father was promoted to chief of police.
As far as her education is concerned, Barabara went to Washington Preparatory High School. Later, she attended Los Angeles Junior College before pursuing a career in Hollywood.
Beginning of Career
Barbara Billingsley started her acting career in the 1940s. Initially, she appeared in small roles in films like Invaders from Mars, The Bad and the Beautiful, and Three Guys Named Mike.
In 1957, she appeared in The Careless Years, which was one of her major roles in her early career. Around the same time, she also had recurring roles in television shows like The Brothers.
Shot to Fame
Barbara Billingsley’s career skyrocketed when she was cast as June Cleaver in Leave It to Beaver in 1957. In the show, she played a mother figure which was highly appreciated by audience that she became a model of the perfect American mother. The show ran for six seasons until 1963 and remains one of the most popular family sitcoms in history.
Barbara reprised her character in The New Leave It to Beaver, which ran from 1983 to 1989. Additionally, she appeared in the 1997 film adaptation of Leave It to Beaver.
Relationship
Barbara Billingsley was married three times. Her first husband was a restaurateur Glenn Billingsley Sr, who she married in 1941. The couple had two sons, but their marriage ended in divorce in 1947.
In 1953, she married Roy Kellino, a British filmmaker. Their marriage lasted until his passing in 1956. Her third was to William Mortensen in 1959. The two remained together for more than 30 years until Mortensen died in 1981.
Major Source of Income and Net Worth
At the time of her death, Barbara Billingsley’s net worth was $12 million. Her main source of income came from her acting career. From movies to television shows, she worked in various projects that helped her built a solid financial status.
