Ex-stepmother of Tane McClure.
Is of Italian, Hungarian-Jewish, Spanish, Portuguese, and Filipino heritage.
Prefers to be called "Luna."
She was the first choice to play Anita in West Side Story (1961), but the producers gave the role to Rita Moreno. After she lost the role of Anita, she tested for the Maria role, but it was decided that Barbara and Rita looked too similar. The studio also felt that Maria should be a star, and Natalie Wood was chosen.