RIP Barbara KnudsonLas Vegas Review-Journal
By Staff
May 17, 2014
BARBARA KNUDSON HENRY Dec. 4, 1927-May 11, 2014 Television and film actress, Barbara Ann Knudson, a native Nevadan, born to prominent Las Vegans, K.O. and Beatrice Knudson, passed away of natural causes, at home, May 11, 2014. William Henry "Bill," her only child, was caring for her and was with her at the time of her passing. Barbara was high-spirited, fun and beautiful inside and out! She was a graduate of Las Vegas High School, where she was the lead majorette (leading the Helldorado parades at the time) head cheerleader and a participant in many high school plays. After high school, she joined the Las Vegas Little Theatre, which led her to the Birdcage Theatre's stock company at the Last Frontier Hotel. Here she met a "Hollywood import" actor by the name of Bill Henry, who invited her to a Pasadena Playhouse production where talent scouts spotted her and invited her to "test." She signed with Paramount Studios in 1950 and she and Bill were married in 1952 on Waikiki Beach with celebrities like John Ford and Jack Lemon in attendance. Her TV and film credits number in the 40's.. filmology and TV episodes include: Union Station (1950), Born Yesterday (on the road - lead opposite Lon Chaney ) Iron Man (1951), The Range Rider (1951), The Lady from Texas (1951), Meet Danny Wilson (1951), Son of Ali Baba (1952), Lux Video Theatre (TV 1953), Hopalong Cassidy (TV 1953) Death Valley Days (TV 1954) The Gene Autry Show (TV series - 1955) The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show (TV series - six episodes - 1954-55 ) Annie Oakley (TV 1956), Jane Wyman Fireside Theatre (1956), The Lone Ranger (TV series many episodes 1956) State Trooper (TV 1957), Sergeant Preston of the Yukon (TV 1957), Sky King and Highway Patrol (TV 1958) The Cry Baby Killer (1958 - Jack Nicholson's film debut - their pictures were in People magazine), Lassie (TV 1960), My Three Sons (TV 1965), Daniel Boone (TV 1966), Legend of the Northwest (1978). After returning to Las Vegas to live, she kept up her interest in the theatre arts by directing the Clark County Senior Pageants for several years. Her "ladies" still praise her direction, expertise and friendship to this day. She also attended the Lone Pine Western Film Festival in Lone Pine, Calif. for many years, where a variety of her films were shown, she was a guest panelist and got to enjoy her celebrity in westerns all over again. She and Clayton Moore (The Lone Ranger) were great friends and they had wonderful stories to tell about filming in Lone Pine. The photo above is from the Memphis Western Film Festival, where she was a guest artist signing a photo for a fan. Barbara loved a good story and a good "laugh" and she loved reminiscing with her "high school buddies" on their Classmate Reunion Committee. She was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. K.O. Knudson; her older sister, Lois Knudson Rodman-Mahood; nephew, Roger Rodman, all of Las Vegas; and her former husband, Bill Henry of southern California. She is survived by her loving son, Bill, and his wife, Elizabeth; and granddaughter, Allisa, of Las Vegas. She is also survived by her nephew, Gilbert "Duke" Rodman (Natalie); cousin, Odette O'Neill, all of Las Vegas; her "little sister," Karen Knudson Lyon of La Jolla, Calif.; and her nieces, Marcia Kirby, Jill Lackey, Kristy Lyon; and grandnieces and grandnephews of southern California. Private Celebrations of life will be held in southern California. If you wish to donate to the Theatre Arts Program at her father's school in her name, that would be greatly appreciated: K.O. Knudson Middle School, 2400 Atlantic St., Las Vegas, NV 89104.
KNUDSON, Barbara (Barbara Ann Knudson)
Born: 12/4/1927, Las Vegas Nevada, U.S.A.
Died: 5/11/2014, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A.
Barbara Knudson’s westerns – actress:
The Lady from Texas – 1951 (Mabel Guthrie)
The Ranger Rider – 1951 (Lettie)
Hopalong Cassidy (TV) – 1953 (Jennie Warren)
Death Valley Days (TV) – 1954
The Gene Autry Show (TV) – 1955 (‘Diamond’ Della Dix)
The Lone Ranger (TV) – 1956 (Miss Sarah Edwards, Mrs. Wilkins, Nancy Sommers)
Annie Oakley (TV) – 1956 (Flora Carney)
Tales of Wells Fargo (TV) – 1957 (Dixie Lane)
Sergeant Preston of the Yukon – 1957 (Laura Hope)
Fury (TV) – 1958 (Martha Mitchell)
Sky King (TV) – 1958 (Gloria Blane)
The Jayhawkers – 1959 (townswoman)
Wagon Train (TV) – 1962 (Dora)
Temple Houston (TV) – 1963
Daniel Boone (TV) – 1966 (Kate Tolliver)