Loden, Barbara

Loden, Barbara (1932–80) actress, film director; born in Marion, N.C. Commencing her Broadway career in 1957, she enjoyed her greatest success playing the Marilyn Monroe-inspired role in Arthur Miller's After the Fall (1964); its director, Elia Kazan, became her (second) husband in 1967. She appeared in a few movies and television dramas, but turned to writing and directing her own films, including The Frontier Experience and Wanda (1970); the latter has gained considerable acclaim for its anticipation of feminist themes. She also directed off-Broadway plays and before her premature death she was starring in and codirecting Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean.