Dive Into Barbara Payton's Tragic Hollywood Story: A Must-Read!

Is it possible for someone to have it all and still lose everything? Barbara Payton's life is a stark reminder that fame, beauty, and talent are no match for the insidious power of self-destruction. Her tale is a quintessential Hollywood tragedy, a cautionary narrative etched in the annals of a bygone era.

Born Barbara Lee Redfield on November 16, 1927, in Cloquet, Minnesota, Payton's early life offered little indication of the dramatic trajectory that lay ahead. Her parents, Erwin Lee (Flip) and Mabel Irene (ne Todahl) Redfield, were the children of Norwegian immigrants, instilling in their daughter a strong work ethic. With a younger brother, Frank, Barbara grew up in a comfortable environment. Her parents initially ran a combination ice cream store and restaurant in Little Falls, Minnesota, providing a stable and nurturing home. Barbara, known for her athletic prowess, thrived in the winter months, relishing activities like skiing and ice skating. Her childhood, by all accounts, was carefree a stark contrast to the turmoil that would later define her. Barbara possessed a natural beauty, a charismatic presence, and a raw acting ability that would propel her to the heights of Hollywood in the 1950s.

The year 1950 marked Barbara Payton's ascension to the upper echelons of Hollywood. Her striking beauty blonde hair, captivating blue eyes combined with a palpable sensuality, made her a sought-after starlet. She was more than just a pretty face; Payton possessed a genuine acting talent that garnered critical acclaim. Her performances, particularly in early roles, were praised for their realism and intensity. On the Internet Movie Database (IMDb), one reviewer lauded her "tension and wild lilting ferocity and fear" in "Trapped," describing her performance as burning through the movie "like a fuse." The positive reviews for "Trapped" led to her being cast alongside Jimmy Cagney in "Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye" (1950), further solidifying her rising star. The film also praised her acting ability.

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However, beneath the dazzling faade of Hollywood glamour lurked a darkness that would ultimately consume Barbara Payton. Her personal life was tumultuous, marked by a series of failed marriages and escalating struggles with addiction. Her relationships were often fodder for tabloid headlines, painting a picture of a woman spiraling out of control. The early marriage and motherhood, followed by fleeting stardom, romances, and riches, seemed to set the stage for the inevitable fall from grace. This narrative is so well-trodden within the confines of Hollywood it has become a familiar tune.

Her tumultuous relationship with actor Franchot Tone became a major source of public fascination and scandal. The pair initially reconciled after a period of separation, only for Payton to overdose on sleeping pills. She survived the overdose, but the incident served as a grim foreshadowing of her tragic end. The marriage to Tone ultimately ended in divorce in 1952. Her libido was robust; her taste ribald and stories of her escapades circulated widely.

The allure of "Old Hollywood" often lies in its paradoxical blend of style, sex appeal, and sorrow. Barbara Payton's life encapsulates this perfectly. Her story, recently profiled on "The Stuff Dreams Are Made Of," serves as a compelling example of the "noir goddess" archetype a woman of undeniable beauty and talent, destined for a tragic fate. Her rapid rise to fame was mirrored by an equally swift descent, leaving behind a legacy tinged with both admiration and regret.

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As her career faltered in Hollywood, Payton sought opportunities abroad, venturing to England to star in a couple of Hammer Films productions. These films, while perhaps not her most prestigious work, offer poignant glimpses into a time when she was still treated as a major star. The pictures are sad, because they showcase a time and place where Payton was treated as a major actress, before her ultimate destruction.

Barbara Payton's addiction to alcohol and drugs intensified as her career declined. The downward spiral became increasingly public, further damaging her reputation and limiting her opportunities. Her story is a cautionary tale, highlighting the destructive nature of fame and the insidious grip of addiction. It is the tale of being your own worst enemy, a classic narrative of self-destruction played out against the backdrop of Hollywood's glittering, yet often unforgiving, landscape.

The events surrounding Scotty Beckett, another troubled figure in Hollywood, offer a glimpse into the darker undercurrents of the era. Beckett was discovered passed out drunk in the basement of a hotel, armed with a pistol and a knife. He was eventually released from police custody after the desk clerk was unable to make a positive identification. This incident, while not directly related to Payton, underscores the pervasive issues of substance abuse and mental health that plagued many in the entertainment industry.

Barbara Payton's autobiography, reportedly found on eBay, offers a unique and unfiltered perspective on her life. Penned with the assistance of ghostwriter Leo Guild, the autobiography recounts her tragic journey with a campy relish that some find both entertaining and unsettling. The book undoubtedly offers insight into her mind and life.

In the years following her Hollywood heyday, Payton's life continued to unravel. She became increasingly isolated and struggled with severe health problems. Just sixteen years after starring alongside Gregory Peck in "Only the Valiant" (1951), she was dead. Her body was ravaged by hard living and liver failure. Payton was a major Hollywood player in the late 1940s and early 1950s, starring in high profilers like "Trapped" (1949) and the James Cagney vehicle "Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye" (1950), but had an extremely precipitous fall, ending up a drug addicted prostitute and dying at age 39.

Payton, through ghost writer leo guild, describes her tragic life with such campy relish that it becomes entertaining and funny. But barbara paytons autobiography makes those pale in comparison.

The story of Barbara Payton remains a source of fascination and morbid curiosity. Sped through this hollywood babylonia about barbara payton, a talented actress whose need for self destruction was stronger than her need to act. It is a sad story of beautiful people who meet a sad end, a narrative that continues to resonate with audiences today. Such falls from grace are nothing new in hollywoodin fact theyre almost banal.

1963\/2016) anyone out there remember barbara payton?

We touched on it a while back when we posted a 1963 issue of confidential.

She was a sexy and charismatic blonde with a nice shape and gorgeous blue eyes, and she possessed a sizable amount of raw acting ability.

Born barbara lee redfield on 16 november 1927 in cloquet, minnesota.

She was born barbara lee redford on november 16, 1927 in minnesota barbara payton was the product of norwegian immigrants.

Her father had the entrepreneur spirit that many possessed in the 1930s, and the couple arrived in the united states with big dreams and little else.

One of hollywoods truly tragic stories was that of barbara payton, a pretty and talented actress who experienced both the highs and lows of life in tinsel town.

8.9k subscribers in the oldhollywood community.

The classic tale of being your own worst enemy.