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How did Joanna Barnes die? 'Spartacus' actress, 89, won Smith College poetry award

Barnes lengthy list of television credits include '21 Beacon Street', 'The Trials of O’Brien and 'Dateline Hollywood'

Joanna Barnes, best known for her roles in 'Spartacus' and both the 'Parent Trap' movies, died ages 89 on Friday, April 29, at her home in Sea Ranch, California. Barnes repotedly died after a lengthy illness.

The late actor is known for playing gold-digger Vicky Robinson in the original 'The Parent Trap' , and then returning in the next as Vicki Blake, mother of renamed conniver Meredith in the 1998 production. She has also appeared in films such as 'Home Before Dark', 'The War Wagon' and 'Spartacus'. Barnes was nominated for a Golden Globe award for playing Gloria Upson in the 1958 film 'Auntie Mame'. Barnes lengthy list of television credits include '21 Beacon Street', 'The Trials of O’Brien and 'Dateline Hollywood'. She was regularly seen on early quiz shows such as 'What’s My Line?'

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Born in Boston in 1934 to John Pindar Barnes and Alice Weston, Barnes grew up in nearby Hingham, Mass, and attended Milton Academy and Smith College. At Smith College, she was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. She majored in English and received the college's award for poetry. Barnes was the immediate successor to Sylvia Plath for this recognition.

In 1980, Barnes went on to marry Jack Lionel Warner, who later died. Two of her earlier marriages ended up in divorce. She is survived by her sisters, Lally Barnes Freeman of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Judith Barnes Wood of Snellville, Georgia, and her dog, Gracie Warner.

According to Deadline, the news of her passing was announced by her friend Sally Jackson. Tributes and condolences poured in on social media after the news of Barnes' death surfaced. "So sad to hear that Joanna Barnes has passed. As a kid, I thought she was so delightfully evil as Vicky in The Parent Trap, but reevaluating the movie as an adult who doesn't like camping gave me newfound sympathy for her high-maintenance gold digger," one user wrote on Twitter. "Gloria Upson has picked up her ping-pong ball and left the building. RIP Joanna Barnes. Few performers ever brought me as much joy as you did in a single scene," one user said.

"RIP Joanna Barnes. She was great in The parent trap 1961, and I’m still at awe at her inmarcesible beauty after seeing her in The parent trap 1998. A truly classy lady," one user said, while another wrote, "Damn, stop it already! May she rest in peace and her memory be a blessing," One user commented, "Joanna Barnes was also a welcome and witty presence on game shows like What’s My Line? and was an accomplished author."