Actress Barbara Barrie, Oscar-Nominated Star of 'Breaking Away', Dies at 95

Veteran actress Barbara Barrie died at 95 following a terminal cancer diagnosis, her daughter Jane Harnick told the New York Times that her mother’s death was "medically assisted." Barrie’s career spanned stage and screen, beginning with a Tony Award nomination for her performance in the original Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim’s "Company" in 1970 and later appearances in Neil Simon’s "California Suite." She earned the best actress prize at the 1964 Cannes Film Festival for the interracial romance "One Potato, Two Potato." Barrie gained widespread recognition for playing the blue-collar mother in the 1979 film "Breaking Away," a role that earned her an Academy Award nomination for best supporting actress and later an Emmy nomination when she reprised the character in the 1980 television series. Her television work included a recurring role as the wife of the title character on the 1970s sitcom "Barney Miller," as well as guest spots on "Law & Order" and "Suddenly Susan." Barrie also appeared in films such as "Judy Berlin," "The Bell Jar" and voiced a character in Disney’s animated feature "Hercules." In addition to acting, she authored children’s books and memoirs, including "Second Act" and "Don’t Die of Embarrassment," which discussed her experience with colorectal cancer.