Barbara Reed

 Barbara Reed (December 29, 1917 – December 12, 1963)

Born in Canada, Read moved to California in the mid-1930s. She got her first movie contract while living in Laguna Beach, California, she was watching a film production in Laguna when she was spotted and offered a screen test, after which she entered a six-month contract with the production company. Her first film appearance was one of the three principal girls in the 1936 comedy film Three Smart Girls, which also starred Deanna Durbin and Nan Grey. From 1937 through 1939, Read appeared in nine films, most notably starring in The Spellbinder, opposite Lee Tracy. From 1940 through 1948, she appeared in 11 films. Her most remembered role was portraying Margo Lane in three films from The Shadow series, starring opposite Kane Richmond. Richmond and she teamed together in The Shadow Returns, Behind the Mask, and The Missing Lady, all in 1946. Her last role was alongside Randolph Scott and Marguerite Chapman in the 1948 Western Coroner Creek.

Read was married three times, and had four children. Her last marriage was to actor William Talman. In the years before her death, Read dealt with alcoholism and emotional problems. This caused her to lose custody of her children with Talman, following their divorce. She died by suicide on December 12, 1963, in Laguna Beach, California, age 45. Read is interred with her Mother at Melrose Abbey Cemetery in Anaheim, California.