Stuart was born Barbara Ann McNeese in Paris, Illinois on January 3, 1930. Barbara attended drama school at the "Schuster-Martin School of Drama" in Cincinnati, Ohio, founded by Tyrone Power's aunt and then studied in NYC with Uta Hagen and Stella Adler. In between shows, she modeled to pay for acting classes. Her first big break was a national tour of "Lunatics and Lovers" with Zero Mostel. This led to her first television series, playing "Bessie" in "The Great Gildersleeve" based on the classic radio show, "Fibber McGee and Molly". Barbara went on to do several other television series. She's particularly fond of three of them. "The Queen and I" with Larry Storch was the forerunner of "The Loveboat." Our Family Honor" with Eli Wallach was an 80's mafia series in which she played the wife of the Godfather.

However, her favorite television experience was on "Gomer Pyle" playing "Miss Bunny," Sgt. Carter's girlfriend. After more than thirty years, it's still in re-runs! She guest-starred on scores of other television shows including: "The Twilight Zone", "Perry Mason", "Rawhide", "The Dick Van Dyke Show", "The Andy Griffith Show", "Batman", "T.H.E. Cat", "Kung Fu", "Starsky and Hutch", "Trapper John, M.D.", "Taxi", "Quincy", "Three's Company", "New Love, American Style", "L.A. Law", and "Nash Bridges". She also acted in such films as, "Airplane!", "Dreamer", "Hellfighters" with John Wayne, "Marines, and "Let's Go" directed by Raoul Walsh. One of her favorite roles was playing Tom Hanks's mother-in-law in "Bachelor Party".

Barbara Stuart recalls the pleasant experience of working with Jim Nabors and Frank Sutton on Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.: "Jim and I just had a great time. We laughed all the time.We used to laugh about Frank, who was a very serious actor. Jim and I used to get so tickled because Frank would be over somewhere working like crazy making sure the lines and comedy were just right because he was such a serious and absolutely wonderful actor."
She adds: "I just loved doing the show. I think at the time we didn't appreciate it. I don't think you ever really do until it's over and you see what an impact you've made. We just really had fun. And of course I loved it because there were all those men. Miss Bunny loved being around all those men!"

She was married for many years to the actor, writer, and artist Dick Gautier. Her pride and joy is a dollhouse he built for her which started her interest in miniatures. She has three step-children. On May 15, 2011, Stuart died in St. George, Utah.

Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C. Episode Appearances

The Blind Date
Gomer the Star Witness
Gomer the Peacemaker
Duke Slater, Night Club Comic
Gomer the Would-Be Hero
Caution: Low Overhead
The Borrowed Car
Cold Nose, Warm Heart
It Takes Two to Tangle
To Re-enlist or Not to Re-enlist
Gomer the Beautiful Dreamer
Change Partners
Sergeant Iago
Friendly Freddy the Gentleman's Tailor
Gomer the Perfect M.P.
The Wild Bull Returns
Win-a-Date
Marriage, Sgt. Carter Style
To Save a Life
Gomer Tends a Sick Cat

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