Barbara Barrie, Oscar-Nominated Star of ‘Barney Miller’ and ‘Breaking Away,’ Dies at 95 — SkimNews
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- Barbara Barrie died Wednesday in Manhattan at age 95, with her daughter confirming her death was medically assisted following a terminal cancer diagnosis.
- Barrie earned an Oscar nomination for her supporting role in the 1979 film 'Breaking Away' and a Tony nomination for her role in the original Broadway cast of Stephen Sondheim's 'Company.'
- Her career spanned over 60 years on stage, including Broadway roles in 'The Crucible' and 'California Suite,' and on screen with a film debut in 'Giant' and TV roles on 'Barney Miller,' 'Law & Order,' and 'Twilight Zone.'
- Barrie was also a cancer advocate, authoring two books about her rectal cancer diagnosis in the 1990s to reduce stigma around the illness.
Why it matters: Barrie's death marks the loss of a versatile and respected performer whose work across seven decades defined a generation of character acting. Her public advocacy for cancer patients provided material support and reduced stigma for those facing similar diagnoses.
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