Joanna Barnes (November 15, 1934 – April 29, 2022) was an American actress, novelist and journalist. She was born in Boston, Massachusetts. During a career that spanned several decades she worked in motion pictures, television and print, becoming best known for a handful of high-profile screen roles and later for books and journalistic pieces.
Acting career and screen persona
Barnes made a memorable impression in the late 1950s as a sharply drawn character actress. Her portrayal of the snobbish socialite Gloria Upson in Auntie Mame (1958) brought her widespread attention and a Golden Globe nomination as a New Star of the Year. The following year she played Jane in Tarzan, the Ape Man (1959). Over the years she frequently appeared in supporting parts that emphasized wit, urbane hauteur or comic antagonism.
Notable film and television appearances
- Auntie Mame (1958) — Gloria Upson, role noted for its satirical bite.
- Tarzan, the Ape Man (1959) — Jane, one of her better-known genre parts.
Writing and journalism
Beyond acting, Barnes pursued writing: she authored both fiction and non-fiction and worked as a journalist. Her later career included books and articles in which she drew on her experiences in Hollywood and her interest in cultural topics. She was regarded as part of a group of performers who moved successfully between screen work and literary endeavors.
Later life and legacy
Barnes continued to be remembered for her elegant, often acerbic screen characters and for a second career in writing. She died at her home in Sea Ranch, California, on April 29, 2022, at the age of 87. Her work is cited as an example of a mid-20th-century performer who combined on-screen visibility with a sustained effort in authorship and journalism.
Selected distinctions:
- Golden Globe nomination for New Star of the Year, for Auntie Mame (1958).
- Noted for portraying sophisticated or socially prominent female characters.