Patty Duke gave her the nick name "Barbara Starkins" during the filming of Valley of the Dolls (1967).
Appeared in a number of "Playboy" pictorial spreads, her most revealing being the ones in 1967 and 1976.
Chosen by Empire magazine as one of the 100 Sexiest Stars in film history (#81). [1995].
Favorite perfume is 'Lheure Bleu' by Guerlain.
Has a daughter, Christina (b. 1986) from her marriage in the late '70s. She was later divorced.
In 1965, was named "Hollywood's Deb Star of the Year" by the Association of Hollywood Make up Artists and Hairstylists.
In 1965, won the Photoplay Gold Medal Award for Best Newcomer.
In 1966 she co-hosted the Miss Teen International Pageant with her "Peyton Place" (1964) costar Ryan O'Neal.
In 1998 she came out of nowhere and appeared in the mini-movie Scandalous Me: The Jacqueline Susann Story (1998) (TV), the story of Jacqueline Susann, who wrote the book upon which Valley of the Dolls (1967) was based.
In 2006 she Barbara commentary for the DVD release of Valley of the Dolls (1967).
Is an adopted child.
Measurements: 34-24-34 (Source: Celebrity Sleuth magazine)
She and Ed Nelson were the only two actors who appeared on the first episode of "Peyton Place" (1964) in 1964 and the final episode in 1969. They were the only stars who lasted the show's entire five-year run.
She is an accomplished photographer.
She reprised her "Peyton Place" (1964) character of "Betty Harrington" for a 1985 TV-reunion movie, Peyton Place: The Next Generation (1985) (TV).
She was cast as "Anne Welles" in Valley of the Dolls (1967) after Candice Bergen dropped out two weeks before filming was to begin. She originally tested for the role of "Neely O'Hara".
Turned down leading roles in the movies Goodbye, Columbus (1969) and They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969). When asked why, Parkins replied, "I must have had my head in the sand".
Turned down the opportunity to reprise the role of Betty in the 1977 television film, Murder in Peyton Place (1977) (TV). She did, however, agree to play Betty again in 1985 when Peyton Place: The Next Generation (1985) (TV) was made.
Was among the women chosen by famed photographer Patrick Lichfield to be included in his 1983 book, "The Most Beautiful Women".
Was maid of honor for Sharon Tate at her marriage to director Roman Polanski in London, England on January 20, 1968.