Barbara Lang (film actress)
| Barbara Lang | |
|---|---|
Lang in 1958
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| Born |
Barbara Jean Bly March 2, 1928 Hollywood, California, U.S. |
| Died | July 22, 1982 (aged 54) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Cause of death | pneumonia |
| Years active | 1955-1981 |
| Spouse(s) | William McCorkle (1946-1952; divorced) Alan Wells (1956-1958; annulled) John George (1967-1972; divorced) |
| Children | Pam Chreryl |
Barbara Lang (March 2, 1928 – July 22, 1982) was an American actress and singer. During the 1950s she was one of the many "B"-level blondes to be promoted as a Marilyn Monroe type.
She worked a number of jobs prior to breaking into the entertainment industry. She sold jewelry in a Los Angeles department store and was a part-time fashion model at the age of seventeen. She was also a pianist and singer for a time in a cocktail lounge.
Lang suffered an attack of poliomyelitis in late 1953. She spent three weeks in the polio ward of Los Angeles General Hospital. Another eight months were required to convalesce. Lang was told that she might never walk again. She turned to the Bible during this time and reportedly credited faith for performing a miracle. Shortly after being stricken, her legs and facial muscles were paralyzed, and she had difficulty speaking. The lingering effect she experienced most was tiring easily.
She first came to the attention of Hollywood producers with appearances in six Death Valley Days telefilms (1955–1956). Half a dozen motion picture studios vied to sign Lang after her telefilm performances. She inked a long-term contract with Metro Goldwyn Mayer and was assigned to dramatic school. As a new star for MGM Lang played the feminine lead in House of Numbers (1957), co-starring with Jack Palance. It was filmed inside San Quentin Prison and in Mill Valley, California.
Lang was at first named to star opposite Elvis Presley in Jailhouse Rock. Before being cast the movie was tentatively entitled Jailhouse Kid. In the Joe Pasternak production of Party Girl (1958), Lang played "Ginger D'Amour", a Chicago showgirl of the 1930s.
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