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Barbara Stanwyck Biography

Birth Name:Ruby Catherine Stevens

Birth Place:New York City, New York, United States

Profession Actress, Soundtrack

Fast Facts

Though she never won an Academy Award, she was presented with an Academy Honorary Award in 1981 for superlative creativity and unique contribution to the art of screen acting
Ranked No․ 11 on the American Film Institute's "100 Years․․․ 100 Stars" list for Female Legends
Won a Life Achievement Award from the American Film Institute in 1987
Worked at a telephone company while searching for dancing jobs that she hoped would help her break into show business
Quote: "My only problem is finding a way to play my fortieth fallen female in a different way from my thirty-ninth․"
Her characters often struggle with their standing as low class women
Known for her realistic presence on screen whether she was acting in a melodrama such as "Forbidden" or a thriller such as "Double Indemnity․"
Started every day by walking half a mile on an uphill treadmill that she kept in her bedroom, even in her seventies
Was seriously injured several times because of her insistence that she would not use a stunt double
Got along well with the cast and crew she worked with, and was known to help people she had worked with decades ago if she learned that they had fallen on hard times
Refused to hide her age or dye her silvering hair

Awards

1930Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (July): winner
1931Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (August): winner
1931Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (August): winner
1931Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (January): winner
1933Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (June): winner
1936Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (January): winner
1937Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (October): winner
1937Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (March): winner
1938Oscar-Best Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
1939Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (July): winner
1941Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (May): winner
1941Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (June): winner
1942Oscar-Best Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
1942Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (February): winner
1942Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (June): winner
1942Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (September): winner
1944NYFCC Award-Best Actress: nominated
1944Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (August): winner
1945Oscar-Best Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
1946Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (April): winner
1946Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (October): winner
1948Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (May): winner
1948Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (October): winner
1949Oscar-Best Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
1949Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (August): winner
1950Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (May): winner
1952Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (August): winner
1954Golden Laurel-Top Female Dramatic Performance: nominated
1954Special Jury Prize-: winner
1961Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Series (Lead): winner
1966Golden Globe-Best TV Star - Female: nominated
1966Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Series: winner
1967Golden Globe-Best TV Star - Female: nominated
1967Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Series: nominated
1968Golden Globe-Best TV Star - Female: nominated
1968Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Series: nominated
1983Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or a Special: winner
1984Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: winner