Who Is Barbara Payton? Age, Biography and Wiki
Barbara Payton was born on November 16, 1927, and her life story remains a captivating narrative of talent and tribulations. Rising to fame in the 1950s, she is best known for her roles in films such as "Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye" (1950) and "Bride of the Gorilla" (1951). Despite her brief movie career, Barbara's legacy continues to intrigue fans and historians alike. As of 2025, she would have been 97 years old, a symbol of a bygone era in Hollywood.
| Occupation | Memoirist |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | November 16, 1927 |
| Age | 39 Years |
| Birth Place | Cloquet, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Scorpio |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 8 May, 1967 |
| Died Place | San Diego, California, U.S. |
Popularity
Barbara Payton's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Barbara Payton stood at approximately 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm) tall and maintained a weight around 130 lbs (59 kg) during her prime. Her striking measurements, which contributed to her status as a glamorous actress, were often cited in her heyday. While exact measurements vary generally reported stats reflect a figure of 36-24-36 inches.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Barbara Payton's personal life was as dramatic as her film roles. She had several high-profile relationships, including a tumultuous marriage to actor Tom Neal and liaisons with notable figures like professional football player Johnny Stompanato. At the time of her passing in 1967, her relationship status was quite complex, marked by both passion and pain. In 2025, Barbara remains a historical figure, with no ongoing relationships since her passing.
In 1938, the family moved to Odessa, Texas. With financial assistance from his sister, Payton's father started his own business, a court of tourist cabins named Antlers Court, hoping for a profitable enterprise in a city like Odessa, whose population was booming because of the oil business.
Net Worth and Salary
At the height of her career, Barbara Payton earned a decent income from her acting roles. While her exact net worth is difficult to ascertain, it is estimated that she had accumulated around $1 million by the 1960s. In today’s context, including retrospective earnings from her films and memorabilia, Barbara Payton’s estate could be valued at several million dollars, particularly with growing interest in classic Hollywood icons.
Her notoriety as a luminous, fun-loving party girl in the Hollywood club scene caught the attention of William Goetz, an executive of Universal Studios. In January 1949, he signed her at age 21 to a contract with a starting salary of $100 per week.
Career, Business and Investments
Barbara Payton's acting career flourished in the early 1950s as she starred in various films and gained recognition for her beauty and on-screen talent. However, her career faced challenges due to personal struggles and controversy. Unfortunately, her time in the spotlight was cut short, but her contributions to film continue to be celebrated. As for business ventures and investments, Barbara was not known to have engaged extensively in entrepreneurial activities outside her acting career. Her focus primarily remained on her film work.
Payton started a modeling career by hiring a photographer to take photos of her sporting fashionable outfits. This portfolio attracted the attention of Saba of California, a clothing designer, which signed her to a contract modeling a new line of junior fashions called Sue Mason Juniors.
Social Network
In 2025, Barbara Payton continues to be a subject of interest for classic film enthusiasts. While she isn't active on social media platforms, fans and historians frequently share content about her life and work across forums, Facebook groups, and Instagram accounts dedicated to vintage Hollywood. Websites and online communities dedicated to classic films also provide a space for people to discuss her roles and the impact she had on the industry.
Barbara Lee Payton (née Redfield; November 16, 1927 – May 8, 1967) was an American film actress best known for her stormy social life and battles with alcohol abuse and drug addiction.
Her life has been the subject of several books, including her autobiography I Am Not Ashamed (1963), Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye: The Barbara Payton Story (2007) by John O'Dowd, L.A. Despair: A Landscape of Crimes and Bad Times (2005) by John Gilmore, and B Movie: A Play in Two Acts (2014) by Michael B. Druxman. She married five times.
Payton has been dubbed "one of the all-time great 'hot messes' in Hollywood history."
Education
Before embarking on her acting career, Barbara Payton attended the University of Southern California. Though she did not complete her degree due to her early entry into the film industry, her education and background helped shape her understanding of performance and the entertainment business. Her time at university provided the foundations for her subsequent roles in film and helped her prepare for the demanding world of Hollywood.
Payton first gained notice in the 1949 film noir Trapped co-starring Lloyd Bridges. In 1950, she was allowed to make a screen test for John Huston's production of the forthcoming MGM crime drama The Asphalt Jungle. The part of the sultry mistress of a mob-connected lawyer went to Marilyn Monroe.
