Barbara Barrie, Oscar Nominee and Advocate for Rights, Dies at 95
The acclaimed actress, known for her roles on stage and screen, was also a dedicated activist for causes including reproductive rights and medical aid in dying.
Barbara Barrie, an Oscar-nominated actress recognized for her diverse roles and a prominent activist, died at age 95 with medical assistance. New York's Medical Aid in Dying Act, which she advocated for, allowed her to end her life at home.
Barrie was a vocal proponent of reproductive rights, joining over 50 prominent women in signing a 1972 petition in Ms. Magazine demanding the legalization of abortion. This action preceded the landmark Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision in 1973, which established a nationwide constitutional right to abortion before its overturning in 2022. Barrie also lent her voice to campaigns championing euthanasia and destigmatizing rectal cancer.
In 2014, Barrie disclosed a diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung disease. She dedicated her remaining time to advocacy, stating her intention to help others live life to the fullest. Her earlier experience with rectal cancer in 1994, which led to her using a colostomy bag, prompted her to destigmatize the disease. She authored two memoirs, "Second Act: Life after Colostomy and Other Adventures" (1997) and "Don’t Die of Embarrassment: Life After Colostomy and Other Adventures" (1999), offering guidance and sharing her optimistic outlook on living with the condition.
Beyond her advocacy, Barrie had a distinguished seven-decade acting career. Her role in "Breaking Away" earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress in 1979. She reprised the role in the subsequent television series, earning an Emmy nomination. Barrie also starred in Neil Simon's "The Prisoner of Second Avenue" and "California Suite," and originated the role of Sarah in Stephen Sondheim's 1970 musical "Company," for which she received a Tony nomination. Television audiences knew her as Barney Miller's wife on the sitcom "Barney Miller" and as Brooke Shields's grandmother on "Suddenly Susan."
Barrie was preceded in death by her husband, Jay Harnick, founder and artistic director of TheaterWorksUSA. She is survived by her daughter, Jane, her son, Aaron, and three granddaughters.