Barbara Whiting Smith, 73, an actress popular in films of the 1940s and '50s, including "Beware, My Lovely" and "Dangerous When Wet," died Wednesday of cancer at St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital in Pontiac, Mich.
Born in Los Angeles, she grew up in a show business family. Her father was Richard Whiting, who wrote hundreds of songs, including "Hooray for Hollywood," and her sister was singer Margaret Whiting. Young Barbara got her break in the movies at age 13, when she played opposite Peggy Ann Garner in the 1945 film "Junior Miss." Whiting's performance earned her a contract with 20th Century Fox.
