Barbara Bel Gieddes (February 14, 1922 – August 8, 2005) was an American actress, model, and writer. Born in New York City, she grew up in a well-to-do family and attended Miss Porter’s School and Vassar College before turning to acting. She made her Broadway debut in 1946 and found early success in television, becoming a regular on the CBS series ‘Texaco Star Theater’ from 1950 to 1953.

Bel Geddes’ film career began in earnest with her role as Leslie Carroll in ‘Strangers on a Train’ (1951), an Alfred Hitchcock thriller. She went on to appear in films such as ‘Pat and Mike’ (1952), ‘War Arrow’ (1953), ‘The High and the Mighty’ (1954), and ‘Written on the Wind’ (1956). Her performance in the latter film earned her a Best Supporting Actress Academy Award nomination.

Bel Geddes was also well known for her work on television. She starred as Constance McKenzie in the CBS series ‘Peyton Place’ from 1964 to 1969, a role that earned her three Emmy Award nominations. She later appeared in ‘Mission: Impossible,’ ‘Falcon Crest,’ and ‘The Love Boat.’

Bel Geddes was also an accomplished writer. She authored several novels, including ‘A Face in the Crowd’ (1957) and ‘None But the Lonely Heart’ (1960), which were both adapted for film. She also wrote articles and essays for publications such as Esquire, Harper’s Bazaar, and Cosmopolitan.

Bel Geddes was married twice, first to producer John D. Katz from 1948 to 1962, and then to actor Lee Marvin from 1965 until his death in 1972. She had two children, Susan and Christopher.

Bel Geddes continued to act and write throughout her career, which spanned over five decades. She passed away on August 8, 2005, at the age of 83.