Barbara Bosson, the actress who starred as Fay Furillo on the hit ’80s series Hill Street Blues, has died.
The super-talented performer reportedly passed away on February 18, in Los Angeles. She was 83.
“More spirit and zest than you could shake a stick at,” her son, Jesse Bochco, shared on Instagram.
From 1981 to 1985, Barbara starred as Fay Furillo in Hill Street Blues, the serial police drama that first aired on NBC.
The actress, born in Charleroi, Pennsylvania, was consecutively nominated for five Primetime Emmy Awards.
Back then, Hill Street Blues was THE cop show to watch, and from what I understand, Barbara was a genius when it came to her portrayal of the ex-wife of Capt. Frank Furillo. As the vulnerable Fay, she made a strong impression during the series’ first six seasons.
“I really cared about Fay. I always felt that Fay was one of my kids. I raised her. Just like I wouldn’t let anybody do that to my kid, I wasn’t going to let them do that to Fay. I loved her. And that’s why I left, because I loved her,” Barbara told the Washington Post in 1987.
Personally, I don’t have many memories of watching the series. As a kid in the 1980s, Hill Street Blues meant it was bedtime, and it was such a soothing bedtime song too! My parents, though, would stay up and watch it.
Even so, it’s evident that Barbara Bosson was a gifted actress – she had some impressive acting credits under her belt. Barbara, who decided to become an actress as early as age four, also starred in the series Hooperman and Cop Rock.
Many also recognize her as Miriam Grasso on the LA crime series Murder One, which aired between 1995 to 1997. Her role as Miriam Grasso earned her an Emmy Award nomination.
Barbara also gave a memorable performance appearance as Alex Rogan’s mother in the science fiction movie The Last Starfighter from 1984; her first major motion picture role. The multi-talented actress also wrote scripts for Family and Knots Landing.
As you can see, Barbara had an amazing career. However, she always kept her feet on the ground and was a good-hearted human as well.
“The star treatment is fun, but I still have to come home and drive the carpool. I am Mommy and I am Barbara Bosson actress. And occasionally I am Barbara Bosson star,” she told The Times and Democrat in 1983.
The Hill Street Blues star was a loud advocate for fair pay and equality in the entertainment industry. It’s no secret that Hollywood still promotes younger women, and Barbara decided to pinpoint this quite often when she did interviews.
“I wish I could get some sort of affirmative action for women over 40 on television. There’s not a whole lot. It’s bleak out there. If you’re not absolutely gorgeous-glamorous there are not a lot of roles. There’s this wonderful tradition in Hollywood where men as old as 60 or 70 play opposite women of 20,” she once said.
Barbara married writer-producer Steven Bochco in 1970 and they remained together for 27 years. Steven was the brain behind many of the series that made Barbara a star – it was her husband who co-created and produced Hill Street Blues, L.A. Law, Murder One, and Cop Rock.
Wikipedia Commons / Alan Light
The couple had two children, Melissa and John. For many years, Barbara was a stay-at-home mom who focused on raising her children; she didn’t work at all.
“I am very scrupulous about being a mother. I don’t want to come home from work and be surprised about something that has happened,” she said in 1983.
Barbara and Steven Bochco separated up in 1997. Sadly, Steven is no longer with us – he passed away in 2018 after a long battle with cancer.
Barbara Bosson cause of death
According to Barbara’s son, 47-year-old television director and producer Jesse Bochco, Barbara passed away on Saturday aged 83.
“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. Barbara ‘Babs’ Bosson Bochco 1939-2023,” he wrote.
Many of Barbara’s colleagues are now mourning their friend. After the news of her tragic death, tributes and words of encouragement were sent to her family – Dirty Dancing star Jennifer Grey was among those to release a statement, sharing red heart emojis in the comments section of her son’s Instagram post.
Barbara’s co-star from Murder One, Titus Welliver, celebrated the late actress with a heartwarming tribute on Twitter.
“The beautiful and wonderful Barbara Bosson has left us. Colleague, friend and surrogate mother. My heart is shattered by her departure. Bow your heads for her loved ones who are so very devastated by her departure. Love you Babs, you made us all better with your kindness,” he wrote.
At the time of writing, Barbara’s cause of death remains unknown. But in a statement given to the Los Angeles Times, her son said that her mother passed away “peacefully… [and] surrounded by her family and loved ones.”
Barbara is survived by her son, daughter, granddaughter, and grandson.
Peace and comfort to Barbara’s family and loved ones, she will be missed – but may her memory always be a blessing!
