Born in Britain, the talented actress made a name for herself in both British and American films, but it was her second leads in Hollywood that brought her the greatest success. Prior to her acting career, she held a variety of jobs, including nurse, chorus girl, and milkmaid, before entering the world of vaudeville. She went on to appear in over a dozen short comedies alongside comedian Stanley Lupino, eventually making her feature film debut in 1931.
Two years later, she gained widespread recognition for her portrayal of one of the six wives of King Henry VIII in the 1933 film "The Private Life of Henry VIII". The following year, she made the move to Hollywood, where she began to establish herself as the quick-witted best friend or the fiery "other woman" in leading roles. Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, Barnes continued to play strong supporting parts, but also took on leading roles.
In 1940, she married football star and later producer M.J. Frankovich, and after the war, the couple relocated to Italy, where they appeared in several films and worked on projects across Europe. Following her retirement from films in 1954, Barnes returned to acting for a few roles in the late 1960s and early 1970s. After her acting career, she dedicated herself to various charitable causes, working tirelessly until her passing in 1998.
