Barbara Read was a talented actress who made a lasting mark in Hollywood with a career that spanned several decades. Barbara Read began her journey in the entertainment industry with a series of notable film appearances in the late 1930s. One of her early standout roles was in the poignant dramatic adaptation Make Way For Tomorrow (1937), starring alongside Victor Moore. Around the same time, Barbara Read showcased her versatility by appearing in the lighthearted Bert Lahr comedy Merry-Go-Round of 1938 (1937) and the gripping crime drama The Man Who Cried Wolf (1937), featuring Lewis Stone. She also lent her talent to The Mighty Treve (1937), further establishing her presence on screen.
Her passion for storytelling and performance remained strong throughout the years. Barbara Read continued to take on diverse roles, including the dramatic war film The Road Back (1937) with John King, the charming musical comedy Three Smart Girls (1937) opposite Deanna Durbin, and later, the thriller Behind the Mask (1946). Film was clearly a central part of her life, and she went on to appear in The Missing Lady (1946), the mysterious The Shadow Returns (1946) alongside Kane Richmond, and the western Coroner Creek (1948) with Randolph Scott—each role adding depth to Barbara Read’s impressive body of work.
Interestingly, Barbara Read didn’t just shine in front of the camera. In a later chapter of her creative journey, she turned her focus to writing. Barbara Read authored the heartwarming children’s story Santabear’s First Christmas, which aired on ABC during the 1986–87 holiday season. It’s clear that Barbara Read’s dedication to the arts never waned, and her contributions—both as an actress and a writer—remain a meaningful part of cinematic history.
Barbara Read’s most acclaimed movie is Make Way for Tomorrow (1937), which stands out as her highest-rated work. On the other hand, her film Three Smart Girls (1936) holds the distinction of being her lowest-rated movie.