About
"People stopped me on the street and said 'I can't live up to you.' Of course, they're referring to 'June Cleaver.' Barbara Billingsley is more apt to wear jeans and things like that."
In her three-hour interview, Barbara Billingsley (1915-2010) discusses her early film career at MGM. She then talks about her eventual television roles on Schlitz Playhouse of Stars, Four Star Playhouse, and Matinee Theatre. She also speaks in detail about her work on the series Professional Father and The Brothers – two parts she played before her defining role as "June Cleaver" on the series Leave it to Beaver and The New Leave it to Beaver. Karen Herman conducted the interview on July 14, 2000 in Santa Monica, CA.
Highlights
Barbara Billingsley on well-known aspects of Leave it to Beaver and her character, "June Cleaver"
Barbara Billingsley on some classic episodes of Leave it to Beaver
Barbara Billingsley on "June Cleaver's" high heels and pearls
Barbara Billingsley on her role in "Airplane" as the jive-speaking woman
Barbara Billinglsey on how she would like to be remembered
Barbara Billingsley on being cast for the pilot of Leave it to Beaver, "It's A Small World" which aired as a teleplay on the anthology series Studio 57
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On her early years growing up in Los Angeles; on her education and interest in theater
On being signed to a contract with MGM and her early impressions of television
On her first television work on Schlitz Playhouse of Stars and Four Star Theater
Chapter 2
On her early television roles on Four Star Playhouse, Matinee Theatre, and Climax!
On her regular role on Professional Father
On her role on The Brothers and her tryout for a permanent role on Make Room for Daddy
On being cast for the pilot of Leave it to Beaver, "It's A Small World" which aired as a teleplay on the anthology series Studio 57
Chapter 3
On playing June Cleaver on Leave it to Beaver, including many production and cast details
On working with the young actors on Leave it to Beaver
Chapter 4
On working with Richard Deacon, and Leave it to Beaver producers Joe Connelly and Bob Mosher
On Leave it to Beaver storylines, the town of "Mayfield," and some of the shows writers and producers
On some classic episodes of Leave it to Beaver
Chapter 5
On the first episode of Leave it to Beaver and having the distinction of being in every episode of the series; on the show going off the air; on her role in "Airplane" as the jive-speaking woman
On starring on The New Leave it to Beaver; on guest-starring on the Mork & Mindy episode "Cheerleader in Chains"; on voicing "Nanny" on Jim Henson's Muppet Babies; on guest-starring on the Amazing Stories episode "The Remote Control Man"
Chapter 6
On some of her guest appearances in films and television series and her thoughts on the Leave it to Beaver feature film
On her advice to aspiring actors; her family; on the legacy of Leave it to Beaver; on how she would like to be remembered
Chapter 7
On b-roll photos from her career
Shows
Amazing Stories
Barbara Billingsley on guest-starring on the Amazing Stories episode "The Remote Control Man"
Climax!
Barbara Billingsley on working on a Climax! teleplay "The Thirteenth Chair" with Ethel Barrymore
Danny Thomas Show, The aka Make Room for Daddy
Barbara Billingsley on guesting on Make Room for Daddy in the episode "Danny's Date" (airdate: January 14, 1957) as a tryout for the role of his new wife
Empty Nest
Barbara Billingsley on her guest appearance on Empty Nest episode "My Nurse is Back and There's Gonna Be Trouble" (airdate: December 14, 1991)
Four Star Playhouse
Barbara Billingsley on her work on Four Star Playhouse
Jim Henson's Muppet Babies
Barbara Billingsley on voicing "Nanny" on Jim Henson's Muppet Babies
Leave it to Beaver
Barbara Billingsley on being cast for the pilot of Leave it to Beaver, "It's A Small World" which aired as a teleplay on the anthology series Studio 57
Barbara Billingsley on well-known aspects of Leave it to Beaver and her character, "June Cleaver"
Barbara Billingsley on working with Hugh Beaumont on Leave it to Beaver
Barbara Billingsley on the character of "Beaver Cleaver" and working with Jerry Mathers on Leave it to Beaver
Barbara Billingsley on working with some of the younger actors on Leave it to Beaver
Barbara Billingsley on Leave it to Beaver producers Joe Connelly and Bob Mosher
Barbara Billingsley on Leave it to Beaver storylines, the town of "Mayfield," and some of the shows writers and producers
Barbara Billingsley on some classic episodes of Leave it to Beaver
Barbara Billingsley on the first episode of Leave it to Beaver and having the distinction of being in every episode of the series
Mork & Mindy
Barbara Billingsley on guest starring on the Mork & Mindy episode "Cheerleader in Chains"
Murphy Brown
Barbara Billingsley on her guest appearance on the Murphy Brown episode "Crime Story"
NBC Matinee Theater
Barbara Billingsley on appearing on Matinee Theatre live broadcasts
New Leave it to Beaver, The
Barbara Billingsley on reprising her role as "June Cleaver" on The New Leave it to Beaver (aka Still the Beaver)
Professional Father
Barbara Billingsley on co-starring on Professional Father, her first series role
Roseanne
Barbara Billingsley on guesting on the Roseanne episode "All About Rose"
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars aka Celebrity Playhouse
Barbara Billingsley on her work on Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The
Barbara Billingsley on guesting on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
Topics
Characters & Catchphrases
Barbara Billingsley on "June Cleaver's" high heels and pearls
Classic TV Series Episodes
Barbara Billingsley on the first episode of Leave it to Beaver and having the distinction of being in every episode of the series
Hollywood Blacklist
Barbara Billingsley on the Hollywood Blacklist
Industry Crossroads
Barbara Billingsley on the Hollywood Blacklist
Pop Culture
Barbara Billingsley on "June Cleaver's" high heels and pearls
Barbara Billingsley on the first episode of Leave it to Beaver and having the distinction of being in every episode of the series
Television Industry
Barbara Billingsley on the Hollywood Blacklist
Professions
Performer
Barbara Billingsley on her advice to aspiring performers
Performers
Barbara Billingsley on her advice to aspiring performers
Genres
Animation
Barbara Billingsley on voicing "Nanny" on Jim Henson's Muppet Babies
Comedy Series
Barbara Billingsley on the legacy of Leave it to Beaver
People
Frank Bank
Barbara Billingsley on working with the young actors on Leave it to Beaver
Ethel Barrymore
Barbara Billingsley on working on a Climax! teleplay "The Thirteenth Chair" with Ethel Barrymore
Hugh Beaumont
Barbara Billingsley on being cast for the pilot of Leave it to Beaver, "It's A Small World" which aired as a teleplay on the anthology series Studio 57
Barbara Billingsley on working with Hugh Beaumont on Leave it to Beaver
Candice Bergen
Barbara Billingsley on her guest appearance on the Murphy Brown episode "Crime Story"
Joe Connelly
Barbara Billingsley on Leave it to Beaver producers Joe Connelly and Bob Mosher
Richard Deacon
Barbara Billingsley on Leave it to Beaver castmember Richard Deacon
Tony Dow
Barbara Billingsley on working with the young actors on Leave it to Beaver
Stanley Fafara
Barbara Billingsley on working with the young actors on Leave it to Beaver
Katharine Hepburn
Barbara Billingsley on working with Katharine Hepburn while under contract with MGM
Jay Leno
Barbara Billingsley on guesting on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
Jerry Mathers
Barbara Billingsley on being cast for the pilot of Leave it to Beaver, "It's A Small World" which aired as a teleplay on the anthology series Studio 57
Barbara Billingsley on the character of "Beaver Cleaver" and working with Jerry Mathers on Leave it to Beaver
Bob Mosher
Barbara Billingsley on Leave it to Beaver producers Joe Connelly and Bob Mosher
Ken Osmond
Barbara Billingsley on working with the young actors on Leave it to Beaver
William Self
Barbara Billingsley on her work on Schlitz Playhouse of Stars, produced by William Self
Rod Serling
Barbara Billingsley briefly on her friendship with Rod Serling
Max Showalter
Barbara Billingsley on being cast for the pilot of Leave it to Beaver, "It's A Small World" which aired as a teleplay on the anthology series Studio 57