Barbara Bosson, who was best known for her role on Hill Street Blues, has died at the age of 83. She died Saturday, February 18, 2023, at her home in Los Angeles. Her son confirmed that she died.
During her 30-year career, Bosson was in a lot of TV shows and movies. She got five Emmy nominations for her role as Fay Furillo in Hill Street Blues. Read on to learn more about her life and career.
How Did Actress Barbara Bosson Die?
Bosson’s son Jesse Bochco posted on Instagram on Monday that she had died. He posted an old picture of himself as a child and wrote, “More spirit and zest than you could shake a stick at. When she loved you, you knew it without a doubt. If she didn’t, you may have also known that, too. Ever in our hearts. I love you, Mama.”
A number of famous people then took to social media to say how sad they were about the actress’ death. Actor Titus Welliver tweeted, “The beautiful and wonderful Barbara Bosson has died. Colleague, friend, and surrogate mother. My heart is broken by her leaving. Bow your heads for her loved ones, who are so saddened by her death.
“I remember interviewing #BarbaraBosson during the run of her ex-husband Steven Bochco’s great “Hill Street Blues,” in which she played the often annoying Fay Furillo with no ego. Also great on his “Murder One” and the underrated “Capricorn One,” wrote writer Jay Bobbin.
About Barbara Bosson
Born on November 1, 1939, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Bosson had wanted to be an actress since she was a child. After finishing high school, she moved to New York City to start her acting career. She worked as a Bunny at the Playboy Club before taking drama classes in 1965.
A few years later, she got her first big role in the 1968 crime movie Bullitt, starring Steve McQueen. She went on to be in movies like The Love God?, Mame, Capricorn One, Operating Room, Calendar Girl Murders, and The Last Starfighter, as well as TV shows like Mannix, Alias Smith and Jones, McMillan & Wife, Sunshine, and Longstreet.
How Did Barbara Bosson Rise to Fame?
Bosson became well-known and praised after he starred in the 1980s NBC drama Hill Street Blues. She played Fay Furillo, the ex-wife of police captain Frank Furillo (Daniel J. Travanti), and got five Emmy nominations in the first five seasons. The show was made by her then-husband, Steven Bochco.
During the sixth season, both Steven and Barbara decided to leave the show. But they worked together on other projects, like Richie Brockelman, Private Eye, Hooperman, and Cop Rock, until their divorce in 1997.
From 1995 to 1997, the actress played Miriam Grasso in the legal drama Murder One on ABC. She was nominated for another Primetime Emmy Award, this time for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. In 1997, she was in one of ABC’s Total Security episodes.
Our condolences go out to Barbara Bosson’s family and friends. May her soul rest in peace!
