Wissenswertes

After she refused to play a nymphomaniac in the trashy Ihr Leben war ein Skandal (1958), Warner Bros. refused to loan her out to appear opposite Laurence Olivier, Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas in Der Teufelsschüler (1959).

Her trouble with Warner Bros. continued after she declined to act in a series of movies based on books by pulp writer Erskine Caldwell. This led to her losing out on outside offers to do Eva mit 3 Gesichtern (1957) for 20th Century-Fox, and both Die Katze auf dem heißen Blechdach (1958) and Die Brüder Karamasov (1958) for MGM.

Despite playing the daughter of Rock Hudson and Elizabeth Taylor in Giganten (1956), she was just nine years younger than Hudson and nine months older than Taylor.

Spent several years--from the late 1990s to 2007--caring for her third husband, who suffered from emphysema. She remained retired from acting since being widowed in 2007.

Following the death of Debbie Reynolds in December 2016, she is - as of July 2025 - one of two surviving cast member of the 24 credited actors in the epic Western Das war der wilde Westen (1962). The other surviving cast member is Russ Tamblyn.

Awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1725 Vine St. on February 8, 1960.

She became a nightclub dancer to raise money for her tuition at the Actors Studio.

Miss Florida Fruits and Vegetables of 1949.

As of 2020, she is the second earliest surviving recipient of a Best Actress Oscar nomination, behind only Leslie Caron. She was nominated for the comedy-drama Baby Doll - Begehre nicht des anderen Weib (1956).

Retired from acting in 2003 after 50 years in the motion picture industry.

Visited USS Ticonderoga CV-14, with Bob Hope, as part of his morale-boosting visits for the soldiers, sailors and airmen during the Vietnam War in 1965.

While in Hollywood to test for Giganten (1956), director Nicholas Ray met with her on James Dean's suggestion to discuss playing the role of Judy in ...denn sie wissen nicht, was sie tun (1955). Baker's new husband Jack Garfein insisted that she return to New York once the test was shot, and negotiations were broken off.

Though this may only be studio hype, in 1964 an African Masai chieftain reportedly was so fascinated by Baker that he offered 150 cows, 200 goats and sheep, and $750 for her while she was on location in Kenya for Südlich vom Pangani-Fluß (1965).

As of August 2010, was residing in London, England.

She has English and Polish ancestry.

Received a career Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2011 Hoboken International Film Festival.

Gave birth to her second child at age 26, son Herschel David Garfein, on January 17, 1958. The child's father is her second [now ex] husband, Jack Garfein.

Awarded a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars in Palm Springs, CA, on May 4, 2001.

Gave birth to her first child at age 25, daughter Blanche Joy Garfein (aka Blanche Baker) on December 20, 1956. The child's father is her second [now ex] husband, Jack Garfein.

On August 25, 2018, she was honored with a day of her film work during the TCM Summer Under The Stars.

Received the National Arts Club Medal of Honor in New York City (2009).

The October 19, 1988, issue of Variety, in the Italian Film Production column, announced the movie "Incantesimo Fatale" or "Fatal Spell" began filming October 1, 1988. Mario Gariazzo (as Ray Garret) directed. The cast included Richard Hatch and Carroll Baker. No evidence the film was ever completed or released.

Signed a contract with Paramount Studios in 1963. She was given roles originally slated for Paramount starlet Stella Stevens - Harlow, The Carpetbaggers and Sylvia. The studio felt Baker was a more experienced dramatic actress and just as alluring. Because of this, Stevens requested and received an early release from her contract and moved to Columbia Studios for the remainder of the 1960s.

Grandmother of Zane Van Dusen (born September 27, 1984) and Dara Van Dusen (born June 23, 1986) via daughter Blanche Baker and her first husband, Bruce Van Dusen.

She has appeared in two films that have been selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant: Giganten (1956) and Das war der wilde Westen (1962).

Studied drama at Herbert Berghof HB Studio in Greenwich Village, New York City.

Delivered her daughter Blanche naturally and her son Herschel via forceps.

She is a Democrat.