Barbara Stanwyck (July 16, 1907 – January 20, 1990). She is ranked as the eleventh greatest female star of all time by the American Film Institute. Barbara Stanwyck was born Ruby Catherine Stevens in New York City. In 1926, Stanwyck began performing at the Hudson Theatre in the drama The Noose, which became one of the biggest hit plays of the season. She co-starred with actors Rex Cherryman and Wilfred Lucas. As well as being a versatile actress Stanwyck also had a reputation as being one of the nicest people ever to grace Hollywood. She died of congestive heart disease at St. John's Hospital, in Santa Monica, California.