Barbara Barrie
Biography
Barbara Barrie, born Barbara Ann Berman on May 23, 1931 in Chicago, Illinois, is an American actress and author who has worked in film, stage and television. Her film breakthrough occurred in 1964 when she played Julie in the landmark picture One Potato, Two Potato, earning the Best Actress Award at the Cannes Film Festival. She is widely recognized for portraying Evelyn Stoller in the film Breaking Away, a role that garnered her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress in 1979 and an Emmy Award nomination in 1981 when she reprised the character in the subsequent television series. On television she is perhaps best known for playing the wife of the namesake captain from 1975 to 1978. Her TMDB record lists 100 credited performances.
Career overview
Barbara Barrie, born Barbara Ann Berman on May 23, 1931 in Chicago, Illinois, is an American actress whose work spans film, stage and television, and she is also recognized as an author. Her career in the performing arts began with a focus on theatrical productions before she moved into screen roles, establishing a versatile presence across multiple mediums.
Barrie’s film breakthrough occurred in 1964 when she portrayed Julie in the landmark picture One Potato, Two Potato. Her performance earned her the Best Actress Award at the Cannes Film Festival, marking a significant early accolade in her cinematic career. She later achieved widespread recognition for her portrayal of Evelyn Stoller in the film Breaking Away, a role that garnered an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress in 1979.
The character of Evelyn Stoller was later adapted for television, and Barrie reprised the part in the series based on the film, receiving an Emmy Award nomination in 1981. Between 1975 and 1978, she was also known on television for playing the wife of the namesake captain, a role that contributed to her steady presence in the medium during that period. Throughout her decades‑long career, Barrie has been noted for her consistent contributions to both screen and stage, as well as for her work as an author.
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Career timeline
Full Filmography
107 titles- Things Like This (2025) as Portia Anthony
- The Magnificent Meyersons (2023) as Celeste
- Keeping Company with Sondheim (2022) as Self
- Significant Other (2020) as Helene Berman
- Above All Things (2018) as Maggie
- Six by Sondheim (2013) as Self (archive footage)
- Harvest (2011) as Yetta Monopoli
- Twelve Thirty (2011) as Eve
- Nurse Jackie (2009) as Libby Sussman
- The Six Wives of Henry Lefay (2009) as Mae
- Frame Of Mind (2009) as Thelma
- Army Wives (2007) as Virginia
- Pushing Daisies (2007) as Mamma Jacobs
- Fathers and Sons (2005) as Ruth
- Second Best (2004) as Dorothea
- Dead Like Me (2003) as Phyllis
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) as Paula Haggerty
- Once and Again (1999)
- Judy Berlin (1999) as Sue Berlin
- 30 Days (1999) as Barbara Trainer
- $pent (1999) as Mrs. Walsh
- Hercules (1998) as Alcmene (voice)
- A Chance of Snow (1998) as Ruth Pulmer
- Hercules (1997) as Alcmene (voice)
- Suddenly Susan (1996) as Helen 'Nana' Keane
- Scarlett (1994) as Pauline Robillard
- My Breast (1994) as Milly
- The Odd Couple: Together Again (1993) as Gloria Unger
- First Impressions (1992) as Anne Charney
- The Commish (1991) as Ann Palmer
- Law & Order (1990) as Mrs. Bream
- UFO Cafe (1990) as Delores
- Kojak: Flowers For Matty (1990) as Dora Mattingly
- Winnie (1988) as Mrs. Drake
- My First Love (1988) as Ruth Waxman
- After the Rain (1988) as Rachel Bonner
- thirtysomething (1987)
- Real Men (1987) as Mom Pirandello
- I'll Take Manhattan (1987) as Sarah Amberville
- End of the Line (1987) as Jean Haney
- Lovejoy (1986) as Miss Lillian
- Vital Signs (1986) as Frances
- The Execution (1985) as Sophie Langbein
- Kate & Allie (1984)
- Double Trouble (1984) as Margo Foster
- Reggie (1983) as Elizabeth Potter
- American Playhouse (1982) as Schoolteacher
- Family Ties (1982) as Aunt Rosemary
- Tucker's Witch (1982) as Ellen Hobbes
- Not Just Another Affair (1982) as Martha Dawson
- Two of a Kind (1982) as Dottie Minor
- Barefoot In the Park (1982) as Mrs. Banks
- Working (1982) as Schoolteacher
- The Children Nobody Wanted (1981) as Hanna
- Breaking Away (1980) as Evelyn Stohler
- Private Benjamin (1980) as Harriet Benjamin
- To Race the Wind (1980) as Mrs. Krents
- Roots: The Next Generations (1979) as Dodie Brattle
- Backstairs at the White House (1979) as Mamie Eisenhower
- Breaking Away (1979) as Evelyn Stoller
- The Bell Jar (1979) as Jay Cee
- Summer of My German Soldier (1978) as Mrs. Bergen
- Child of Glass (1978) as Emily Armsworth
- Lou Grant (1977)
- Lou Grant (1977) as Edna Raines
- 79 Park Avenue (1977) as Kaati Fludjicki
- Tell Me My Name (1977) as Emily McPhail
- Barney Miller (1975) as Elizabeth Miller
- Bronk (1975)
- For the Use of the Hall (1975) as Charlotte
- Diana (1973) as Norma Brodnik
- To Be Young, Gifted and Black (1972)
- Great Performances (1971) as Self
- McMillan & Wife (1971) as Emily Church
- The Rank and File (1971)
- The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970) as Judith Chandler
- Original Cast Album: Company (1970) as Self / Sarah
- The Dick Cavett Show (1968) as Self - Guest
- Ironside (1967)
- The Invaders (1967) as Gale Frazer
- One Potato, Two Potato (1964) as Julie Cullen Richards
- The Fugitive (1963) as Aiemee Rennick
- Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (1963) as Laurel Catlan
- Mr. Novak (1963) as Mary Smith
- The Caretakers (1963) as Edna
- The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (1962) as Dr. Jane Waterleigh
- The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (1962) as Isabel Smith
- The Virginian (1962) as Ellen Beecher
- Dr. Kildare (1961) as Peggy Farrow
- The Defenders (1961) as Fran Helber
- The Defenders (1961) as Shirley Lowell
- Ben Casey (1961)
- Kraft Mystery Theatre (1961)
- Route 66 (1960)
- The Twilight Zone (1959) as Myra Russell
- Rawhide (1959) as Liz Harmon
- Naked City (1958) as Rosalind Faber
- Naked City (1958) as Sarah Hinson
- Naked City (1958) as Marcia Kormack
- Decoy (1957) as Anne
- Decoy (1957) as Mrs. Foley
- Giant (1956) as Mary Lou Decker (uncredited)
- Playwrights '56 (1955)
- The Wonderful World of Disney (1954) as Emily Armsworth
- Love of Life (1951)
- Robert Montgomery Presents (1950) as Maggie Correll
- Kraft Television Theatre (1947)
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Barbara Barrie best known for?
Barbara Barrie is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Nurse Jackie (2009), Army Wives (2007), Pushing Daisies (2007), Dead Like Me (2003).
When and where was Barbara Barrie born?
Barbara Barrie was born on May 23, 1931 in Chicago, Illinois, USA.
How many credits does Barbara Barrie have?
Barbara Barrie has accumulated over 107 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1947 to 2025.
What is Barbara Barrie's background in cinema and television?
Barbara Barrie, born Barbara Ann Berman on May 23, 1931 in Chicago, Illinois, is an American actress and author who has worked in film, stage and television. Her film breakthrough occurred in 1964 when she played Julie in the landmark picture One Potato, Two Potato, earning the Best Actress Award at the Cannes Film Fes...