Born in Porterville, California Barbara Baxley attained her degree in theatrical arts from the Neighborhood Playhouse, New York and debuted on Broadway in 1948 in Private Lives. Catching the eye of director Elia Kazan at a dinner party landed her a role in the 1955 film East of Eden under his supervision. She went on to appear in over 70 features, winning critical praise for her role as Sally Field 's mother in the 1979 film Norma Rae.
Barbara Baxley died of an apparent heart attack at age 67.
