There aren’t many people who have been as beloved—or as feared—as Rona Barrett. During her iconic run from the late ‘60s to the mid-‘80s, Rona was a force to be reckoned with. She wasn’t just interviewing A-listers like Burt Reynolds, Liza Minnelli, and Cher on her Rona Looks At specials (now streaming on Amazon Prime). No, she was also stirring up the pot, asking the tough questions, and making waves. Her honesty sometimes even earned her enemies, like Ryan O’Neal, who once sent her a live tarantula as a not-so-friendly gesture.
But Rona, now 83, isn’t one to shy away from a good story. Laughing it off, she recalls a late-night call from someone whispering, "I'm at Ryan O’Neal’s house. He didn’t see you on TV tonight and started screaming, ‘My God, I’ve murdered her!’" Rona, born in Manhattan and raised in Queens, eventually left Hollywood behind. After dabbling in real estate, she found her true calling by helping seniors through the Rona Barrett Foundation. And she found her own happily-ever-after by marrying writer Daniel Busby on Valentine’s Day in 2008. “Every day, we’re on an adventure!” she says with a smile.
How Did Rona Get Her Start Interviewing Celebrities?
It all started when a young Rona saw Eddie Fisher and talked her way into a job managing his international fan clubs. This early exposure brought her into contact with some of the biggest names in the music industry. When she moved to California in 1958, she met key players in the movie studio PR departments. She eventually landed a job as a secretary to the editor of 30-35 magazines. One fateful day, famed Paramount exec Robert Evans asked her what she wanted to do, and she was introduced to the editor of Photoplay. That editor said, “I’m going to have you start writing a little column.” And just like that, Rona’s career as a gossip columnist was born.
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From Print to Television: Rona’s Big Break
Rona had been pestering ABC for years to give her a chance. At the time, it was the third-rated network. Finally, she wrote a letter to the president, saying, “After seven-and-a-half years of futzing around with nay, either say ‘yea’ or ‘nay.’” One morning, she was awakened by Elton Rule of KABC in LA, asking, “So, what have you done now?” Rona wasn’t Louella Parsons or Hedda Hopper—she was the new kid on the block. But as her ratings soared, the network began to take notice. People started wondering, “What is she doing that everyone’s listening?”
The Highlights of Rona’s Career
Rona wasn’t just interested in the latest Hollywood scandals. She wanted to know what made people tick. On Good Morning America, she asked Bette Midler, “What is the most tragic thing that ever happened to you?” Bette opened up about the death of her best friend in a car accident, and tears streamed down her cheeks. Rona’s producer joked, “If you don’t make somebody cry every time you’re on the air, you can’t have that interview.”
Tough Questions and Troubled Waters
Not everyone appreciated Rona’s direct approach. Once, she asked a star, “Is it true that you’ve fallen in love with your co-star?” The star walked out. Tom Cruise told his PR team, “She’s a nice woman, but I never want her to interview me again.” Why? Because no one had ever written that he considered going into the priesthood. Even Frank Sinatra wasn’t immune to Rona’s questions. When she asked about his daughter Tina’s interfaith marriage, Mrs. Sinatra shut the cameras off, marking the beginning of the end of their friendship.
Ryan O’Neal’s Tarantula and Other Tales
Ryan O’Neal wasn’t a fan of Rona’s commentary. One day, her secretary opened a tennis can to find a live tarantula inside. Rona and her assistant screamed like crazy. The FBI even wanted to examine it. Turns out, it was a harmless species. Ironically, not long after, Ryan appeared on one of Rona’s specials. When they sat down, he asked, “You really want to do this interview?”
Why Did Rona Leave Hollywood?
Rona saw the writing on the wall. She knew that one day, corporations would own studios and be upset if she said something they didn’t like. She decided to call it quits, canceling her Hollywood magazine subscriptions and saying, “That’s it!”
From Showbiz to Seniors: Rona’s New Mission
Rona has always been creative with real estate. After retiring to the Santa Ynez Valley in California, she joined the board of the foundation for the Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital. When her father moved in after her mother’s passing, she began thinking about senior care. This led her to create the Rona Barrett Foundation in 2000, which helps seniors in need. She then expanded her efforts by building affordable housing for seniors, like the Golden Inn & Village.
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