Barbara Hale

Biography

Barbara Hale (April 18, 1922 - January 26, 2017) was a celebrated American actress, renowned primarily for her portrayal of Della Street, the astute legal secretary on the iconic television series Perry Mason. Over the course of its original run from 1957 to 1966, Hale appeared in more than 250 episodes and continued to reprise her role in 30 subsequent TV movies.

Born in DeKalb, Illinois, Hale was the daughter of Luther Ezra Hale, a landscape gardener, and Wilma Colvin. She had Scots-Irish roots and graduated from a high school in Rockford, Illinois before pursuing artistic aspirations at the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts. Her journey into acting began in Chicago, where she took up modeling to support her studies.

In 1943, Hale relocated to Hollywood, making her screen debut with minor roles, many of which went uncredited. She was signed by RKO Radio Pictures in the late 1940s, showcasing her talent in films such as Higher and Higher (1943) alongside Frank Sinatra, and West of the Pecos (1945) with Robert Mitchum. Hale starred in notable films including Lady Luck (1946), The Window (1949), and Lorna Doone (1951), where she held the title role.

After her successful film career, Hale's legacy was cemented with her role in Perry Mason, which became a defining aspect of her career. Her final on-screen appearance was in 2000, at the age of 78. Additionally, she made a guest appearance on the ABC series Custer in 1967 and played a significant part in the ensemble film Airport (1970) as the wife of a pilot portrayed by Dean Martin.