Barbara O'Neil was born on July 17, 1910, in St. Louis, Missouri. She developed a passion for acting at a young age and decided to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. O'Neil honed her craft by performing with the University Players theater company in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, at the start of her career.
Her big break came when she made her on-screen debut in the 1937 movie Stella Dallas. This marked the beginning of a successful career in film that would establish O'Neil as a talented actress in Hollywood.
O'Neil's breakthrough role came in 1939 when she portrayed Ellen O'Hara in the classic film Gone with the Wind. Her performance was widely praised, and she became a household name for her portrayal of Scarlett O'Hara's mother in the iconic movie.
Following the success of Gone with the Wind, O'Neil continued to showcase her acting abilities in various films. In 1940, she received an Oscar nomination for her role in All This, and Heaven Too, solidifying her status as a talented and versatile actress in Hollywood.
During the early 1940s, O'Neil was briefly married to writer and director Joshua Logan. Their relationship was short-lived, but it provided O'Neil with a glimpse into the personal side of Hollywood and the challenges that come with maintaining a successful career in the entertainment industry.
Despite her success in the 1939 film Gone with the Wind, O'Neil continued to take on diverse roles in both film and theater. One of her notable roles was as Theresa Randolph in the 1949 movie Whirlpool, directed by Otto Preminger.
Throughout her career, O'Neil was known for her versatility and ability to bring depth to her characters. She left a lasting legacy in Hollywood and is remembered for her contributions to the film industry during the golden age of cinema.