The woman who broke the 1960s mold of the 'capable' woman
In short: Before she was a spy, Barbara Feldon was a model who landed a breakout role in a hair pomade commercial. However, it was her portrayal of Agent 99 that challenged television norms, offering a rare depiction of a woman who was both intellectually superior and professionally successful.
Barbara Feldon first gained national attention in a popular, frequently parodied commercial for 'Top Brass,' a men's hair pomade by Revlon. In the ad, she played a character lounging on an animal-print rug, addressing male viewers as 'tigers.' While the commercial was a stylistic departure, it served as the catalyst for her transition into television acting, leading to various guest appearances in the 1960s on shows like 'Twelve O'Clock High' and 'The Man from U.N.C.L.E.'
Her career reached a milestone in 1965 when she was cast as Agent 99 in the sitcom 'Get Smart.' Starring opposite Don Adams as Maxwell Smart (Secret Agent 86), Feldon played a character that was notably unusual for the era. Unlike many female roles of the time, Agent 99 was depicted as a highly capable woman who succeeded in a high-stress career. Feldon noted that many women viewed the character as a role model because she was consistently smart and always provided the correct answers.
The role was not guaranteed; Feldon nearly lost it because the show's sponsor was a deodorant soap, and she had previously appeared in a commercial for a competing Revlon product. Additionally, her physical presence was a rarity for the period, as she was noticeably taller than her male co-star. During 1968 and 1969, she received dual Primetime Emmy Award nods for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series due to her acting.
Following the original series, which ran from 1965 to 1970, Feldon continued to influence the cultural landscape. She reprised her role in a television film in 1989 and a 1995 revival. Beyond acting, she has established herself as an accomplished writer, publishing her memoir 'Getting Smarter' in 2021 and various editorial pieces, maintaining a legacy of intellectual presence in the arts.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Barbara Feldon
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