Born in the Bronx, Isabel Bigley joined the New York production of Oklahoma! as a chorus member in 1946, according to the newspaper. After five months, she was transferred to the London production and soon took over the role of Laurey opposite Howard Keel as Curly. She stayed with the show for more than three years, and also performed in the first musical on the BBC, Gay Rosalinda. When her nightclub act received rave reviews, composer Frank Loesser flew to London and gave her the part of Sarah in his new musical, Guys and Dolls. She won a 1951Tony for best featured actress and went on to star in Rodgers and Hammerstein's Me and Juliet in 1953. After marrying Lawrence Barnett, president of the MCA talent agency, she retired from performing. She and Barnett had six children.