Joanna Barnes is an American actress and novelist and journalist. Barnes was born in Boston, Massachusetts. She moved to Los Angeles, California soon after finishing her education, and took up a contract with Columbia Pictures. She has since had roles in more than twenty films and made guest appearances on many television shows, including the ABC/Warner Brothers programs, 77 Sunset Strip and Maverick, CBS's Have Gun - Will Travel, and the David Janssen crime drama, Richard Diamond, Private Detective. Her books include "The Deceivers" (1970), "Pastora" (1980) and "Silverwood" (1985). Her books have been published in Italy, France, England, Sweden, Portugal and Brazil. Her syndicated column, "Touching Home," was for many years carried by The Chicago Tribune and New York News Syndicate.