Barbara Billingsley, the television actress who got a superstar status by a portrayal of a loving mother in the 1950s hit series died on Saturday morning at her home in Santa Monica. Her age was 94. She was suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.
Her iconic role in the hit television series of Leave It to Beaver where she played the affectionate role of a mother named June Cleaver uplifted her image in the acting world.
One of the most glamorous actors of her time in the 50s decade, she used to wear pearls and high heels even when she was at home. The real Barbara had been a model and an actress. She was married thrice and spent various portions of her life in the role of a single working mother, that too when she had two sons to look after.
When talking about her role in the television series she had once admitted that the couple onscreen in Leave it to Beaver were like the ideal reflection of the time. She had a hole in her neck which she covered with the help of wearing pearls. Initially, she used to wear flat shoes but later changed on to wearing heels in order to stay taller than the growing boys.
After her role in the series, Barbara sidestepped her acting career and concentrated on building up her family. However she made her comeback to the silver screen by starring in the 1980 comedy “Airplane!” Jerry Mathers, who played Beaver in the series, has expressed his disappointment at the news.
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