Hollywood star Barbara McNair died on Sunday at the age of 72 after a long struggle against cancer. Barbara started her career as a nightclub singer, and then moved into movie to star alongside Mary Tyler Moore, Elvis Presley and Sidney Poitier. It was with Poitier; Barbara became most famous for her role as Poitier’s wife in They Call Me Mister Tibbs.
McNair, born in Racine in 1934 became interested in show business at an early age. After university she made her debut on Broadway in 1958 in The Body Beautiful. In 1968 she starred alongside Elvis in what was to be his last movie, Change of Habit.
She hosted her own show in 1969, The Barbara McNair Show, which included special guests such as Bob Hope, and Tony Bennett.
