Veteran Actress Barbara Barrie Chooses Medically Assisted Death After Terminal Cancer Diagnosis

Oscar-nominated actress Barbara Barrie died by medically assisted means on Wednesday at her New York City home, three weeks after receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis, according to her family. Barrie's daughter, Jane Harnick, said the actress exchanged final words of love with her family before passing.

"As she was falling asleep, we all just said, ‘We love you,’ and she said, ‘I love you too,’" Harnick told Page Six.

Harnick described Barrie's long-standing support for the right to medically assisted death, noting that the actress had expressed a desire to “take something and go to sleep” when her time came. The actress had previously been diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in 2014 and had undergone hip replacement surgery the prior year, remaining active through activities such as swimming.

"Some doctors wouldn’t do it. We found the one who would, and he was incredible. [Barrie] wrote to him at the end of her life and said, ‘Thank you, you’ve made my last summer perfect,’" Harnick said.

Barrie's death complied with New York's Medical Aid in Dying Law, signed by Governor Kathy Hochul, which permits assisted death for terminally ill patients with a life expectancy of six months or less. Her agent, Gary Gersh, confirmed that the law was followed.

Barrie's career spanned more than five decades, earning an Oscar nomination for “Breaking Away,” three Emmy nominations, a Tony nomination, and a Cannes Best Actress award. She also appeared in the NBC sitcom “Suddenly Susan.” Harnick said Barrie's final wishes focused on continuing advocacy for the right to medically assisted death, rather than on her acting legacy.