Actress. She appeared in a wide range of stage productions, films and TV programs and distinguished herself, when she was recipient of a Tony Award for her roles in the Broadway musical "The Apple Tree" (1967). Her father was a businessman, her mother was a pianist, Barbara's interest in acting began at an early age. She experienced performing with minor roles at the Playwrights Theatre Club in Chicago and later joined the improvisational theatre group The Compass Players. This was followed with a period as a member of The Second City troupe which led to her Broadway debut in "From the Second City" (1961). She received an Obie Award for Best Actress with "Oh Dad, Poor Dad, Mamma's Hung You in the Closet and I'm Feelin' So Sad" (1962). During this period, she appeared on several TV programs which include "Alfred Hitchcock Presents," "Naked City" and "The Defenders." She made his motion picture debut with a memorable role as social worker 'Sandra Markowitz' in "A Thousand Clowns" which earned her a Golden Globe nomination. A year later (1966), she originated the roles of 'Daisy Gamble/Melinda Wells' in the Broadway production "On a Clear Day You Can See Forever," which earned her a Tony Award nomination. She received an Academy Award nomination for "Who Is Harry Kellerman and Why Is He Saying Those Terrible Things About Me?" (1971). She garnered additional Golden Globe nominations for the films "Nashville" (1975), "The Family Plot" (1976, of note for being Alfred Hitchcock's last film) and "Freaky Friday" (1977). Other films include "The Seduction of Joe Tynan" (1979), "Peggy Sue Got Married" (1986) and "Grosse Pointe Blank" (1997). She retired from acting during the late 1990s and went on to teach acting. She was formerly married to theater director Phil Sills. She died from lung cancer.
Actress. She appeared in a wide range of stage productions, films and TV programs and distinguished herself, when she was recipient of a Tony Award for her roles in the Broadway musical "The Apple Tree" (1967). Her father was a businessman, her mother was a pianist, Barbara's interest in acting began at an early age. She experienced performing with minor roles at the Playwrights Theatre Club in Chicago and later joined the improvisational theatre group The Compass Players. This was followed with a period as a member of The Second City troupe which led to her Broadway debut in "From the Second City" (1961). She received an Obie Award for Best Actress with "Oh Dad, Poor Dad, Mamma's Hung You in the Closet and I'm Feelin' So Sad" (1962). During this period, she appeared on several TV programs which include "Alfred Hitchcock Presents," "Naked City" and "The Defenders." She made his motion picture debut with a memorable role as social worker 'Sandra Markowitz' in "A Thousand Clowns" which earned her a Golden Globe nomination. A year later (1966), she originated the roles of 'Daisy Gamble/Melinda Wells' in the Broadway production "On a Clear Day You Can See Forever," which earned her a Tony Award nomination. She received an Academy Award nomination for "Who Is Harry Kellerman and Why Is He Saying Those Terrible Things About Me?" (1971). She garnered additional Golden Globe nominations for the films "Nashville" (1975), "The Family Plot" (1976, of note for being Alfred Hitchcock's last film) and "Freaky Friday" (1977). Other films include "The Seduction of Joe Tynan" (1979), "Peggy Sue Got Married" (1986) and "Grosse Pointe Blank" (1997). She retired from acting during the late 1990s and went on to teach acting. She was formerly married to theater director Phil Sills. She died from lung cancer.
Bio by: C.S.
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