Barbara Hale was a famous American actress who played the role of Della Street, the loyal secretary of lawyer Perry Mason, in the popular TV series of the same name. She won an Emmy Award for her performance and reprised the role in several TV movies. But who was Barbara Hale’s family and was she related to another actress named Betsy Hale? Here is what we know.
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Barbara Hale’s Early Life and Career
Barbara Hale was born on April 18, 1922, in DeKalb, Illinois, to Wilma and Luther Hale, a landscape gardener. She had an older sister named Juanita, who was also the namesake of her younger daughter. The family moved to Rockford, Illinois, when Barbara was two years old. She graduated from Rockford High School in 1940 and then attended the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts, where she studied commercial art.
Barbara had a dream of becoming an animator for Disney, but her life took a different turn when she was discovered by a couple of talent scouts on the street. They sent her picture to a Hollywood executive, who offered her a contract with RKO Pictures. Barbara moved to Hollywood in 1943 and made her film debut in Gildersleeve’s Bad Day.
She went on to appear in over 60 movies in the next 15 years, mostly in supporting roles. Some of her notable films include Higher and Higher (1943), where she sang with Frank Sinatra; West of the Pecos (1945), where she starred opposite Robert Mitchum; Lady Luck (1946), where she played Robert Young’s wife; The Window (1949), where she portrayed a mother of a boy who witnessed a murder; and Jolson Sings Again (1949), where she co-starred with Larry Parks as Al Jolson’s wife.
She also made guest appearances on various TV shows, such as The Lone Ranger, Schlitz Playhouse, and Alfred Hitchcock Presents. However, her most famous role came in 1957, when she was cast as Della Street in Perry Mason, a legal drama based on the novels by Erle Stanley Gardner. She played the smart and loyal secretary of Raymond Burr’s titular character for nine seasons until 1966, earning an Emmy Award in 1959 and three Golden Globe nominations.
Barbara Hale’s Marriage and Children
Barbara Hale married actor Bill Williams (born Herman August Wilhelm Katt) in 1946. They met on the set of West of the Pecos and fell in love. They had three children: Jodi (born 1947), William (born 1951), and Juanita (born 1953).
Bill Williams was also a successful actor, best known for playing Kit Carson in the TV series The Adventures of Kit Carson from 1951 to 1955. He also appeared in films such as Deadline at Dawn (1946), A Likely Story (1947), The Stratton Story (1949), and The Giant Gila Monster (1959). He often worked with his wife, appearing in several episodes of Perry Mason and some of the TV movies based on the series. He died of cancer in 1992 at the age of 77.
Barbara Hale’s children followed their parents’ footsteps into show business. Jodi Katt became a singer and songwriter, performing under the name Jodi Willems. She also appeared in some TV shows and movies, such as The Greatest American Hero (1981) and Big Wednesday (1978). William Katt became a famous actor, starring in films such as Carrie (1976), First Love (1977), Big Wednesday (1978), House (1986), and The Man from Earth (2007). He also played the lead role in the TV series The Greatest American Hero from 1981 to 1983. Juanita Katt became an actress and producer, working on films such as Big Wednesday (1978), Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend (1985), and Mirrors 2 (2010).
Is Betsy Hale Related to Barbara Hale?
Betsy Hale is another actress who appeared in some TV shows and movies in the 1960s and 1970s. She is best known for playing Laurie Partridge in the pilot episode of The Partridge Family in 1970. She also had roles in The Fugitive, The Monkees, The Flying Nun, and The Brady Bunch.
However, Betsy Hale is not related to Barbara Hale. They have different maiden names and different parents. Betsy Hale was born as Elizabeth Ann Hale on April 24, 1950, in Los Angeles, California, to Robert and Betty Hale. Barbara Hale was born as Barbara Hale on April 18, 1922, in DeKalb, Illinois, to Luther and Wilma Hale.
Betsy Hale and Barbara Hale also have different physical features. Betsy Hale has blonde hair and blue eyes, while Barbara Hale has brown hair and brown eyes. They also have different heights. Betsy Hale is 5 feet 4 inches tall, while Barbara Hale is 5 feet 5 inches tall.
Therefore, Betsy Hale and Barbara Hale are not related by blood or by marriage. They are just two actresses who share a similar name and profession.
Barbara Hale’s Legacy
Barbara Hale died on January 26, 2017, at the age of 94, in Sherman Oaks, California. She had been suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease for several years. She was surrounded by her family and friends at the time of her death.
Barbara Hale left behind a legacy of being one of the most beloved and respected actresses in Hollywood. She was admired for her beauty, talent, grace, and kindness. She was also devoted to her husband and children, who remained close to her until the end. She was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960 and received the Golden Boot Award in 2001 for her contributions to Western films and television.
Barbara Hale will always be remembered as Della Street, the faithful secretary of Perry Mason, who helped him solve many cases with her intelligence and charm. She was a role model for many women who wanted to pursue a career in law or other fields. She was also a friend and colleague of Raymond Burr, who considered her as his sister. They shared a bond that lasted for decades, even after the original series ended. They reunited for 30 TV movies based on Perry Mason from 1985 to 1995, four of which were produced after Burr’s death in 1993.
Barbara Hale was a remarkable woman who lived a long and fulfilling life. She touched many hearts with her performances and personality. She was a true star who shone brightly on screen and off screen.
