Happy Birthday Agent 99!

The Judge · #1 03-12-2006, 05:07 PM

Barbara Feldon was born in Pittsburgh as Barbara Hall on March 12, 1941. She moved to New York City to become an actress and ending up winning the big prize on the game show, $64,000 question in 1957. She invested her money and her life in an art gallery, marrying her partner, Lucien Feldon in 1958. They later divorced in 1967.

Feldon had a successful career as a model and commercial star before being spotted by Buck Henry, who wrote the part of Agent 99 in the TV series Get Smart, specifically for her. Feldon signed on to do the pilot and just three more episodes, but after liking the pilot, she committed to starring in the series. Rather than sign the traditional five-year contract, she only signed a contract for three years. However, as that contract ran out she "couldn't imagine anyone else using my number" and signed on for two more years.

Executive Producer Leonard Stern discusses her hiring:

"I remember when we signed Barbara because she made such an impression on us in a commercial where she was lying on a tiger and it was a very sensual performance and we thought she’d be ideal. We had her under contract and we put her in a show in New York called Mr. Broadway with Craig Stevens. When we wanted Don to see who we felt was perfect for the role of 99 we ran this film for him. We had purposely shot it so that she would be able to be the role, but with another name. Don said, "My God, she’s taller than Craig Stevens!" But, to his credit, he admired her. She generally worked the show without shoes, or with a model’s slump, or bending her knees. "

At a public appearance in 2003, she listed her favorite episode as The Impossible Mission because she loved the costumes and the romance. Her least favorite episode was "anything where we had to get wet, especially the one with the phone booth that filled with water (All In The Mind)."

Feldon's greatest post-Smart success has been in commercial voiceovers, which she continues to do today. She's also been busy as an actress as well, including guest shots on Cheers and Mad About You. Living in New York City, she recently performed a one-woman show off-Broadway, even singing her famous hit, "99".

Barbara has also written a book, "Living Alone and Loving It: A Guide to Relishing the Solo Life" that was released Dec. 10, 2002.

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