Barbara Stanwyck made her screen debut in 1927 and went on to appear in over eighty films, often portraying strong-willed, independent women.  She later starred in the television series “The Big Valley (1965-69)”, and she appeared in the popular mini-series “The Thorn Birds (1983)”.  Stanwyck received several Academy Award nominations, but she failed to win an award until she was granted an honorary award in 1981.