Barbara La Marr Born in Yakima, Washington, La Marr moved with her adoptive parents to California while in her early teens. She was known after her adoption as Rheatha Dale Watson, although some film historians believe that Barbara invented the adoption story herself to fuel the belief that she was of more exotic origins. After spending her early years in a small town, she was impressed by the nightlife of the rapidly growing Los Angeles. While still in her teens she was arrested for dancing in a burlesque club. Changing her name to Barbara La Marr, she continued working on the fringes of showbusiness, but at that time her main ambition was to become a writer.
