How did Barbara Bosson die? 'Hill Street Blues' star nominated for 5 consecutive Emmys was 83
LOS ANGLES, CALIFORNIA: Barbara Bosson has died at the age of 83. News of her death was shared on social media by Bosson's son, director Jesse Bochco, on Monday, February 20. Barbara Bosson was best known for her role as divorcée Fay Furillo on the television series 'Hill Street Blues,' for which she received five consecutive Primetime Emmy Award nominations. The series was co-created by her then-husband Steven Bochco.
Bosson was also famous for her work on three famous ABC series, 'Hooperman,' 'Cop Rock' and 'Murder One,' all of which were also co-created by Bochco. Barbara also received an Emmy nomination for her role as prosecutor Miriam Grasso in ABC's 'Murder One.'
READ MORE
Jesse Bochco's tribute to mom Barbara Bosson
"More spirit and zest than you could shake a stick at. When she loved you, you felt it without a doubt. If she didn't, you may well have also known that too. Forever in our hearts. I love you Mama," Jesse wrote in an Instagram tribute. He also shared a heartwarming photo of his mother holding him when he was a baby. "Rest easy mom," he wrote in another post shared to his Stories.
How did Barbara Bosson die?
According to Bosson's son, director and producer Jesse Bochco, she died Saturday “peacefully ... [and] surrounded by her family and loved ones.” No cause of death was given, reports LA Times.
'I put up with a lot of leering men to be able to study acting'
On November 1, 1939, Barbara Bosson was born in Charleroi, Pennsylvania. She grew up in Belle Vernon and later moved to Florida with her family in 1957. She could not afford the tuition fees, although she was accepted in the acting department of Carnegie-Mellon. Barbara then decided to move to New York, where she worked as a secretary for the American Conservatory Theater and as a Playboy bunny, while taking acting classes.
"I put up with a lot of leering men to be able to study acting," Bosson told the St Petersburg Times in 1990 according to The Hollywood Reporter. Barbara and Steven met while attending university in the 1960s and got married in 1970. After staying for 27 years together, the duo got separated in 1997 and Bochco died in April 2018 at age 74 after battling leukemia.
Barbara had her big break in the Steve McQueen movie 'Bullitt' and the CBS crime series 'Mannix.' She also starred in the NBC series 'Richie Brockelman, Private Eye,' before taking on the most famous role of her career - the needy ex-wife of Captain Frank Furrillo in 'Hill Street Blues,' which aired on NBC from 1981-87. During its run, the series received eight Emmys and 98 nominations. She remained in the series from 1981-86. Her last roles were in 'Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman,' 'Total Security' and 'Scattering Dad.'
Bosson is survived by a son, Jesse, her daughter with Bochco - Melissa, and two grandchildren.