Barbara Feldon

Barbara Feldon, born Barbara Anne Hall on March 12, 1933, in Butler, Pennsylvania, emerged as one of television’s most iconic figures of the 1960s. After graduating from Bethel Park High School and earning a BFA in drama from Carnegie Mellon University, she honed her craft at the Pittsburgh Playhouse and later at HB Studio in New York. Her early break came when she won the grand prize on The $64,000 Question and later headlined a memorable Revlon “Top Brass” commercial, which opened doors to small television roles in series such as Twelve O'Clock High, Flipper, and The Man from U.N.C.L.E.. In 1965 she was cast as Agent 99 in the groundbreaking sitcom Get Smart, a role she inhabited until the series ended in 1970. Feldon’s portrayal of the smart, capable, and often taller female spy earned her two Emmy nominations and made Agent 99 a role model for women seeking competence and wit on screen. Beyond Get Smart, she showcased her versatility on The Dean Martin Show, Rowan & Martin’s Laugh‑In, and guest‑starring spots on The Carol Burnett Show, Thriller, and Cheers, while also appearing in films like Fitzwilly and Smile. Her voice work extended to animated specials and countless commercials, reinforcing her status as a recognizable talent across media.

After retiring from on‑screen performance in 2006, Feldon turned her attention to writing, publishing the memoir Getting Smarter in 2021 alongside earlier works such as Living Alone and Loving It. Although she maintains a low public profile, she continues to contribute editorial pieces and remains an enduring symbol of a pioneering era for women in entertainment.