Barbara was born on 18 April 1921, as one of two children. As a young girl, Ms. Hale intended to major in art and drawing; she began her professional career as a model for a comic strip called "Ramblin' Bill", during the time she was working her way through The Chicago Academy of Fine Arts. She married actor Bill Williams in 1946, and had son William Katt in 1951.



Mother, with actor Bill Williams, of actor William Katt, with whom she appeared in Big Wednesday (1978) and in Perry Mason TV movies. Has an orchid named after her (cultivated by Raymond Burr). She has three children. Jody Katt (born 1947), William Katt (1951) and Juanita Katt (1953). There is some confusion about her birth year. Early sources say 1922; some recent sources say 1921. However, her listing in the U.S. Census taken on 1 April 1930, before her birthday, gives her age as seven years. Was voted the May Queen her senior year in high school.