Coming on the heels of Susan Saint James passing away, I hate to report that Barbara Barrie is gone now, too.
Barbara was 95 and had a great life. The NY Times says she had an assisted death after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.
Barrie was nominated for an Oscar for her role in a great film called “Breaking Away,” playing the mother of Dennis Christopher’s Italian-spewing cyclist son. Around the same time she won kudos for playing Goldie Hawn’s hilariously incredulous mother in “Private Benjamin.”
In Cannes, she won Best Actress in 1964 for her role in the interracial drama, “One Potato, Two Potato.”
Pixie-ish and adorable, Barbara had quite a run in TV and movies in the late 0s, through the 70s and 80s. By coincidence, she appeared in an episode of “McMillan and Wife,” with Susan Saint James. She starred in a memorable TV movie called “Tell Me My Name,” plus episodes of “Lou Grant,” and “The Alfred Hitchcock Hour.” Among her other credits was playing Madeline Kahn’s mom in another gem of a film, “Judy Berlin.”
She got her start on the soap opera, “Love of Life,” in 1960, In the 70s, she was well known for her role on “Barney Miller.”
We also knew her in New York as a serious theater actress, author, and activist. She was nominated for a Tony Award in the original Broadway production of “Company.” That was just one of her 11 Broadway shows, including “Fiddler on the Roof.” In the latter she was replaced in previews but went on to marry Jay Harnick, brother of “Fiddler’s” composer, Sheldon Harnick. Because their son, Aaron, is a Broadway producer, we often saw Barbara on opening nights.
It was always a pleasure. The last time I saw her was two years ago this month, at the premiere of the movie, “Gladiator II.” She was still perky and fun as ever, undaunted by age.
I know you think 95 is a long life, but Barbara Barrie is gone too soon. She will be sorely missed. I’m not surprised she chose assisted death, by the way. She was so full of life, and you could hear her saying, What’s the point of sticking around? Why suffer?
God bless.
PS Two of Barbara’s famous on screen hsubands are still alive! Paul Dooley is 98. Hal Linden is 95!
