Barbara Parkins is best remembered as an icon of the Sixties who had starring roles in two of the era's more notorious productions, Peyton Place (1964) and Valley of the Dolls (1967). After arriving in Hollywood as a teenager, Parkins soon began appearing on episodic television programs such as Wagon Train (1957) and Perry Mason (1957). She also ...
(1977, while promoting Testimony of Two Men): I don't feel at all self-conscious about taking off my clothes. I trained as a dancer, I watch my diet and I take care of my body. If a script calls for a bedroom scene, I say do it. When I have a brief affair with Steve Forrest, it would look ridiculous for me to get into bed wearing a robe and nightgown. I do object to a nude scene when it is gratuitous. My nude scene in 'Captains and The Kings' was unnecessary and I'm sorry I did it.
2
[When asked about her friend, Sharon Tate, in 2010]: Most people know that she was kind and sweet, and had an innocence about her. Her gentleness was very special, and it was a big loss.
3
[on why she thought Valley of the Dolls (1967) was considered a cult classic] Maybe because it is so . . . bad.
4
I learned the word "power" when I was in Peyton Place (1964).
Turned down the opportunity to reprise the role of Betty in the 1977 television film, Murder in Peyton Place (1977). She did, however, agree to play Betty again in 1985 when Peyton Place: The Next Generation (1985) was made.
3
Was signed to star in the 1980 mini-series, Scruples (1980), but backed out before filming started.
4
Chosen by Empire magazine as one of the 100 Sexiest Stars in film history (#81). [1995].
5
Was among the women chosen by famed photographer Patrick Lichfield to be included in his 1983 book, "The Most Beautiful Women".
6
Favorite perfume is 'Lheure Bleu' by Guerlain.
7
In 2006 she Barbara commentary for the DVD release of Valley of the Dolls (1967).
8
In 1966 she co-hosted the Miss Teen International Pageant with her Peyton Place (1964) costar Ryan O'Neal.
9
She was cast as "Anne Welles" in Valley of the Dolls (1967) after Candice Bergen dropped out two weeks before filming was to begin. She originally tested for the role of "Neely O'Hara".
While interviewed by gossip columnist Ted Casablanca at a 1996 gala viewing of Valley of the Dolls (1967), she candidly reported, while working with some of her co-stars, that Susan Hayward was "spastic", Patty Duke was "energetic but neurotic" and Sharon Tate was "magic".
Appeared in a number of "Playboy" pictorial spreads, her most revealing being the ones in 1967 and 1976.
16
She is an accomplished photographer.
17
In 1965, won the Photoplay Gold Medal Award for Best Newcomer.
18
In 1965, was named "Hollywood's Deb Star of the Year" by the Association of Hollywood Make up Artists and Hairstylists.
19
Is an adopted child.
20
She and Ed Nelson were the only two actors who appeared on the first episode of Peyton Place (1964) in 1964 and the final episode in 1969. They were the only stars who received screen credit for every episode (although not necessarily appearing in every episode) during the series' entire five-year run.
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Was maid of honor for Sharon Tate at her marriage to director Roman Polanski in London, England on January 20, 1968.
Actress
Title
Year
Status
Character
Scandalous Me: The Jacqueline Susann Story
1998
TV Movie
Annie Laurie Williams
Superman
1998
TV Series
Mother Box
Picket Fences
1996
TV Series
Lucy Wanamaker
Scene of the Crime
1991
TV Series
Murder, She Wrote
1989
TV Series
Kay Weber
Jake and the Fatman
1988
TV Series
Candace Morgan
Perry Mason: The Case of the Notorious Nun
1986
TV Movie
Ellen Cartwright
Peyton Place: The Next Generation
1985
TV Movie
Betty Harrington Cord
The Love Boat
1984
TV Series
Millie Constant
Katy Caterpillar
1984
Additional Voices (English version, voice)
Calendar Girl Murders
1984
TV Movie
Cleo Banks
To Catch a King
1984
TV Movie
Duchess of Windsor
Hotel
1983
TV Series
Eileen Weston
Uncommon Valor
1983
TV Movie
Dr. Margaret Houghton
Breakfast in Paris
1982
Jackie Wyatt
The Manions of America
1981
TV Mini-Series
Charlotte Kent
Fantasy Island
1980
TV Series
Lorna Hendricks
Vega$
1980
TV Series
Lani
Bear Island
1979
Judith Rubin
The Critical List
1978
TV Movie
Angela Adams
Ziegfeld: The Man and His Women
1978
TV Movie
Anna Held
Young Joe, the Forgotten Kennedy
1977
TV Movie
Vanessa Hunt
Testimony of Two Men
1977
TV Mini-Series
Marjorie Ferrier / Hilda Eaton
Gibbsville
1976
TV Series
Jenny
Captains and the Kings
1976
TV Mini-Series
Martinique
Law of the Land
1976
TV Movie
Jane Adams
Shout at the Devil
1976
Rosa O'Flynn / Oldsmith
Born Free
1974
TV Series
Kim Travers
Jennie: Lady Randolph Churchill
1974
TV Mini-Series
Leonie
Christina
1974
Christina / Kay
Snatched
1973
TV Movie
Barbara Maxvill
Asylum
1972/I
Bonnie (segment: "Frozen Fear")
Circle of Fear
1972
TV Series
Eileen Travis
A Taste of Evil
1971
TV Movie
Susan Wilcox
Puppet on a Chain
1971
Maggie
The Deadly Trap
1971
Cynthia
The Mephisto Waltz
1971
Roxanne Delancey
The Kremlin Letter
1970
B.A.
Peyton Place
1964-1969
TV Series
Betty Anderson Cord
Betty Anderson
Betty Anderson Harrington
...
Valley of the Dolls
1967
Anne Welles
Wide Country
1962-1963
TV Series
Billie Kidwell / Sharon Crosley
Laramie
1963
TV Series
Marilee Bishop
Dr. Kildare
1962
TV Series
Annie Grant
Perry Mason
1962
TV Series
Paula Durham
My Three Sons
1962
TV Series
Bobbie
General Electric Theater
1961
TV Series
Ruth / Betty
Wagon Train
1961
TV Series
Eve
87th Precinct
1961
TV Series
Mary
Leave It to Beaver
1961
TV Series
Judy Walker
The Tall Man
1961
TV Series
Sue Wiley
20,000 Eyes
1961
High School Girl
The Untouchables
1961
TV Series
Girl
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Gotta Get Off This Merry Go Round: Sex, Dolls and Showtunes
$17 Million
