Barbara McNair Net Worth is
$1.3 Million

Mini Biography

Popular African-American vocalist and entertainer Barbara McNair dazzled audiences with her singing prowess and outstanding beauty for more than 4 decades until her death about Feb 4, 2007 of throat cancer in LA. The Chicago-born entertainer and one-time secretary grew up in Racine, Wisconsin, among five children given birth to to Horace and Claudia Taylor McNair. She sang in her chapel choir and was motivated by her parents to go after voice. Pursuing music studies in the Racine Conservatory of Music as well as the American Conservatory of Music in her hometown Chicago, she relocated to LA and went to USC before relocating once more to NY to pursue her desire. Barbara worked her method up from typist to vocalist of little supper night clubs to headlining huge showrooms as you of America’s more visible performers of the past due 50s and 60s. A jazz stylist affected by the fantastic Sarah Vaughan initially, she softly eased into well-known music. Her 1st big break was included with a week-long gig on Arthur Godfrey’s skill show, which resulted in bookings in the Crimson Onion, The Persian Space and L.A.’s Cocoanut Grove. She started getting invites on it range circuit (‘Ed Sullivan’s “Toast of the city,” “The Dean Martin Display” and “The Tonight Display”) and managed to get to Broadway using the musicals “YOUR BODY Gorgeous” (1958) and “No Strings” (1962), changing original celebrity Diahann Carroll in the second option. At differing times she documented around the Coral, Personal and Motown brands leading to such modest strikes as “You’re Gonna Like My Baby” and “Bobby.” In the past due 60s Barbara produced an option to scout out acting roles, hoping to parlay her singing success right into a movie job. The singer demonstrated initial guarantee as an attractive lead alongside Raymond St. Jacques in the gritty criminal offense episode If He Hollers, Allow Him Proceed! (1968) where she made information with her celebrated nude sequences. She also used a nun’s habit alongside Mary Tyler Moore in Elvis Presley’s last feature film Switch of Habit (1969), and made an appearance reverse Sidney Poitier as Virgil Tibbs’ wife in both They Contact Me Mister Tibbs! (1970) and THE BUSINESS (1971). A warm, welcoming existence, she pioneered her personal syndicated musical Television show The Barbara McNair Display (1969), a rarity at that time for a dark entertainer, and guested on all of the popular TV applications of your day including “Objective: Difficult,” “Hogan’s Heroes” and “I Spy.” The first 1970s were a hard time for Barbara when offers all of a sudden stopped to arrive and her spouse/supervisor, who had mob affiliations, was shot and killed in 1976. Barbara continued to surface in such stage musicals as “The Pajama Video game” and “Sophisticated Women”, and was also observed in a repeating role for a while on General Medical center (1963) in old age. She was also noticed in several obscure movies in the 80s and 90s. Barbara’s like of performing continuing even in smaller locations — cabaret night clubs, cruise ships, unique events as well as pension centers in Florida — still wearing her stunning appears and vocal sparkle. In 2006 she opened up for Bob Newhart in Philadelphia and NJ. Married four occasions in every, Barbara passed away at age group 72 and was survived by spouse, Charles Blecka.



Quick Facts

Full Name	Barbara McNair
Died	February 4, 2007, Los Angeles, California, United States
Height	1.6 m
Profession	Actor, Singer
Education	American Conservatory of Music, University of California, Los Angeles
Nationality	American
Spouse	Charles Blecka, Ben Strahan, Rick Manzie, Jack Rafferty
Parents	Claudie McNair, Horace McNair
Siblings	Jacqueline Gaither
Awards	NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture
Movies	The Organization, They Call Me Mister Tibbs!, Change of Habit, Venus in Furs, Stiletto, Spencer's Mountain, Neon Signs, The Lonely Profession, If He Hollers, Let Him Go!
TV Shows	The Barbara McNair Show