Lynn Bari

Lynn Bari was a multifaceted performer who seamlessly navigated the worlds of radio, film, and television during the mid-20th century. Her distinctive voice and captivating screen presence made her a notable figure in entertainment, particularly during the 1940s and 1950s.

Early Life and Theatrical Beginnings

Born Marjorie Schuyler Fisher on December 18, 1919, in Roanoke, Virginia, Lynn Bari's early life was marked by significant challenges. Her father, a car sales manager, tragically took his own life in 1927, leaving the family in financial hardship. This early adversity would shape her determination to succeed in the entertainment industry. Bari's passion for performance emerged early. Teased about her Southern accent in school, she became determined to refine her speech, taking elocution lessons and becoming involved in amateur theatrics. At 14, when her stepfather was reassigned to Los Angeles, she adopted the stage name Lynn Bari, a carefully crafted combination of names inspired by a theater actress and an author.

Breaking into Hollywood and Radio

At just sixteen, Bari was one of 14 young women selected by a studio for a six-month contract after completing their training school. Her early film career consisted primarily of uncredited roles, typically playing receptionists or chorus girls. However, her persistence and talent gradually led to more substantial parts. During World War II, Bari's popularity soared. A survey of GIs revealed she was the second-most popular pinup girl, just behind a more famous contemporary. Her radio career ran parallel to her film work, with notable appearances on programs like Rexall Summer Theater and Suspense. Her versatility allowed her to transition seamlessly between mediums.

Navigating Hollywood's Changing Landscape

Bari's film career began to wane in the early 1950s, but she adeptly pivoted to television. She starred in live television sitcoms like Hey, Jeannie! and The Lynn Bari Show, where she portrayed sophisticated, professional women. Her ability to adapt to new media demonstrated her professional resilience. Interestingly, Bari was candid about her typecast roles, once remarking, "I seem to be a woman always with a gun in her purse. I'm terrified of guns. I go from one set to the other shooting people and stealing husbands!" This self-deprecating humor revealed her understanding of her on-screen persona.

Personal Life and Legacy

Despite her professional success, Bari's personal life was complex. She was married three times and experienced significant personal challenges, including the loss of her first child and a contentious custody battle for her son. In her later years, she reflected that unresolved personal issues might have impacted her potentially more promising career. Lynn Bari passed away on November 20, 1989, in Santa Monica, California. Her legacy includes two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame - one for movies and another for television - a testament to her significant contributions to entertainment.

Works and Appearances

Radio

• Rexall Summer Theater (1947) - Summer replacement show
• Suspense - July 24, 1947 episode "Murder by an Expert"
• Screen Guild Theatre (1952) - "Heaven Can Wait" episode

Film

• Numerous films from 1933-1968, including:
• Weekend for Three (1941)
• Orchestra Wives (1942)
• Home in Indiana (1944)
• Smoky (1946)
• Carnival Story (1954)

Television

• Hey, Jeannie! (1950) - Summer sitcom
• The Lynn Bari Show (1952) - Summer replacement series
• Guest appearances on various shows including Ripcord and General Electric Theater

Lynn Bari's career exemplified the adaptability and resilience required of performers during radio's golden age and Hollywood's transformative decades.