Barbara Hale (1922–2017) remains one of television’s most beloved actresses, immortalized as the loyal secretary Della Street on Perry Mason. Behind the scenes, she was the matriarch of an acting family: the mother of three children, including her two daughters, Jodi Katt and Juanita Katt, and her famous son, actor William Katt.
Hale’s 46-year marriage to actor Bill Williams anchored a family deeply rooted in Hollywood. Here is everything about Barbara Hale’s daughters, her family, career, and lasting legacy.
Table of Contents
- Who Was Barbara Hale?
- Barbara Hale Information Table
- Barbara Hale’s Daughters: Jodi and Juanita Katt
- Barbara Hale’s Husband: Bill Williams
- Her Son: William Katt
- Barbara Hale’s Career as Della Street
- Death and Legacy
- Interesting Facts About Barbara Hale
- Frequently Asked Questions
Who Was Barbara Hale?
Barbara Hale was an American actress born Barbara Bernice Hale on April 18, 1922, in DeKalb, Illinois. She began as an RKO contract player in the 1940s before landing the role that defined her career: Della Street, the devoted secretary to defense attorney Perry Mason, played by Raymond Burr.
She starred in all 271 episodes of the CBS series Perry Mason (1957–1966) and went on to appear in all 30 of the Perry Mason made-for-TV movies (1985–1995) — the only cast member to do so.
Barbara Hale Information Table
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Barbara Bernice Hale |
| Born | April 18, 1922, DeKalb, Illinois, USA |
| Died | January 26, 2017, Sherman Oaks, California (aged 94) |
| Nationality | American |
| Famous role | Della Street in Perry Mason |
| Husband | Bill Williams (married June 22, 1946 – his death September 21, 1992) |
| Daughters | Jodi Katt and Juanita Katt |
| Son | William Katt (actor) |
| Emmy | Won 1959 for Outstanding Supporting Actress; nominated 1961 |
Barbara Hale’s Daughters: Jodi and Juanita Katt
Barbara Hale had two daughters, Jodi and Juanita Katt, as confirmed by TheWrap’s obituary: “In addition to William Katt, Hale leaves behind two other children, daughters Jodi and Juanita Katt.”
Jodi Katt (spelled “Jody” in some sources, including IMDb) is the elder daughter. Juanita Katt — full name Juanita Lauralee Katt — was named after Barbara Hale’s own sister Juanita, according to Wikipedia. Unlike their brother William, both daughters largely stayed out of the entertainment industry and have kept private lives.
Readers should note that the name “Juanita King” sometimes appears online in connection with the family, but no reputable source supports it — the verified name is Juanita Katt.
Barbara Hale’s Husband: Bill Williams
Barbara Hale was married to actor Bill Williams (born Herman August Wilhelm Katt), best known for starring as Kit Carson in The Adventures of Kit Carson (1951–1955). The two met during the filming of West of the Pecos (1945) and married on June 22, 1946.
Their marriage lasted 46 years, until Williams’s death on September 21, 1992. Hale never remarried, remaining a widow for the final 25 years of her life.
Her Son: William Katt
The most publicly known of Hale’s children is her son, William Katt (born 1951), the actor famous for Carrie (1976) and the lead role in The Greatest American Hero (1981–1983). He later appeared alongside his mother as Paul Drake Jr. in the Perry Mason TV movies. After his mother’s death, Katt released a public statement honoring her.
Barbara Hale’s Career as Della Street
Hale’s career began at RKO in 1943, with film roles including Higher and Higher (1943) with Frank Sinatra, The Window (1949), and Airport (1970). But it was Perry Mason that made her a television icon. Her portrayal of the warm, efficient Della Street earned her the 1959 Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, with another nomination in 1961.
She received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on February 8, 1960, and later became a well-known television spokeswoman for Amana Radarange microwave ovens in the 1970s.
Death and Legacy
Barbara Hale died on January 26, 2017, at her home in Sherman Oaks, California, at age 94, of complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as reported by Legacy.com. She was the last surviving original cast member of Perry Mason.
Her daughters Jodi and Juanita, along with their brother William, survived her — carrying on a family legacy that spans three generations of American entertainment.
Interesting Facts About Barbara Hale
- Barbara Hale played Della Street in all 271 episodes of Perry Mason (1957–1966).
- She is the only actor to appear in all 30 Perry Mason TV movies (1985–1995).
- She won the 1959 Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.
- Her daughters are Jodi Katt and Juanita Katt; her son is actor William Katt.
- She was married to actor Bill Williams for 46 years (1946–1992).
- Her daughter Juanita was named after Hale’s own sister.
- She received a Hollywood Walk of Fame star on February 8, 1960.
- She was the last surviving original Perry Mason cast member.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Barbara Hale’s daughters?
Barbara Hale had two daughters, Jodi Katt and Juanita Katt. Both have lived largely private lives away from the entertainment industry.
How many children did Barbara Hale have?
Three: two daughters, Jodi and Juanita Katt, and one son, actor William Katt.
Who was Barbara Hale’s husband?
She was married to actor Bill Williams (born Herman August Wilhelm Katt) from June 22, 1946, until his death on September 21, 1992 — a marriage of 46 years.
What was Barbara Hale famous for?
She is best known for playing Della Street, Perry Mason’s secretary, in the CBS series Perry Mason (1957–1966) and 30 made-for-TV movies, winning an Emmy in 1959.
