Barbara Barrie: key obituary facts
Is Barbara Barrie dead? Yes. Barbara Barrie died on October 28, 2026, at age 95.
Cause of death: Barbara Barrie's cause of death was reported as Assisted suicide.
What was Barbara Barrie known for?
She was an American actress and author (born 1931).
More about Barbara Barrie
Born: 23 May 1931.
Place of birth: Chicago.
Gender: female.
Occupation: actor, television actor, film actor, writer, novelist, children's writer, stage actor, singer.
Nationality: United States.
Education: University of Texas at Austin, Roy Miller High School, Del Mar College.
Career began: 1955.
Occupations: Actress, singer, author.
Years active: 1953–2026.
Barbara Barrie, the American actress and author known for roles in Breaking Away, Suddenly Susan and Hercules, died by assisted suicide on October 28, 2026, aged 95.
Born Barbara Ann Berman in Chicago on May 23, 1931, she worked across film, television and theater, and was also a singer and writer. Her film breakthrough came with her performance as Julie in One Potato, Two Potato (1964), which earned her the Best Actress Award at the Cannes Film Festival.
She later played Evelyn Stohler in Breaking Away, receiving an Academy Award nomination for supporting actress for the 1979 film; she reprised the role in the television series and earned an Emmy nomination in 1981. On television, she appeared as the wife of the title character in Barney Miller from 1975 to 1978. Barrie also had a notable stage career, originating the role of Sarah in Stephen Sondheim’s Company and receiving a 1971 Tony Award nomination for featured actress in a musical. Her work as an author included writing novels and books for children. Her acting career spanned film, television and stage, with credits extending from 1953 through 2026.