The legendary All My Children actress Barbara Rush was confirmed to have died on March 31, 2024, at age 97. The actress was one of the veteran American TV soap opera actresses, with an acting career spanning over 55 years. Although she retired from acting years before her death, in her prime, Barbara Rush helped define American soap opera television.
Although known for playing Nola Orsini on the ABC long-running soap opera All My Children, Barbara Rush also starred in several other theater, film, and television roles. Barbara Rush is survived by two children, including senior FOX News correspondent Claudia Cowan, who confirmed her mother’s death. In honor of her legacy, here’s more on Barbara Rush’s life, career, and death.
Barbara Rush’s Early Life & Career
Barbara Rush was born in Denver, Colorado, on January 4, 1927. However, the actress spent her growing years in Santa Barbara, California. As a teenager, she grew a passion for acting, deciding to enroll and study theater at the University of California, Santa Barbara. During her time at the University, Rush performed in several theater plays. Her acting talents soon drew the attention of scouts, leading to a contract with Paramount Pictures.
Barbara Rush made her screen debut in 1950, two years after graduating from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Her debut was in the Paramount Pictures comedy The Goldbergs, where she was cast as Debby Sherman. Three years later, She starred in the science fiction horror film It Came from Outer Space as Ellen Fields. Her performance received a nomination and a win for the defunct Most Promising Newcomer—Female category at the 1954 Golden Globe Award.
Barbara Rush’s Most Notable Screen Roles
While she had gotten the recognition she deserved on the big screen, Barbara Rush made her television debut in 1954 in the anthology series Lux Video Theatre. For over a decade, Rush made guest appearances on several TV shows until 1968, when she was cast as Marsha Russell on the ABC half-hour primetime soap opera Peyton Place. Rush joined Peyton Place in season 4. Her character was introduced as Fred Russell’s (Joe Maross) wife and mother of Carolyn Russell (Elizabeth Walker), although they later divorced.
In 1980, Barbara Rush was cast as Eudora Flowers Weldon, the long-suffering wife of Claude Weldon (Kevin McCarthy) in Flamingo Road. Although secretly in love with her childhood friend Elmo Tyson (Peter Donat), she marries Claude out of convenience. Barbara Rush appeared in all 38 episodes of the NBC 2-season Flamingo Road, with her character finally getting a divorce in the finale.
In 1992, Barbara Rush joined the cast of All My Children as Nola Orsini, Rush’s career-defining role. Her character is introduced when Tad Martin (Michael E. Knight), who has amnesia, shows up at the Orsini’s California vineyards. Believing him to be her long-lost son, Ted, Nola Orsini treats him as family, trains him in the family’s wine business, and leaves Tad Martin the winery and vineyards after she dies. Barbara Rush played the character until the character’s death in 1994. Rush’s next major TV role was playing Ruth Camden on The WB/The CW’s family drama series 7th Heaven from 1997 to 2007.
Barbara Rush’s Family & Death
Barbara Rush was married three times, from 1950 to 1973. Her first husband was actor and producer Jeffrey Hunter, with whom she stayed married to until their divorce on March 29, 1955. The marriage produced Rush’s first child, Christopher Hunter. Rush married Publicist Warren Cowan on June 14, 1959, and were together for 10 years until their divorce on August 29, 1969. The marriage produced Rush’s second child, Claudia Cowan. Barbara Rush’s last marriage was to sculptor Jim Gruzalski. The couple married on September 24, 1970, and finalized their divorce in October 1973.
Barbara Rush was also the aunt of General Hospital’s Diane Miller actress Carolyn Hennesy. Rush spent the last decades of her life living in the Harold Lloyd Estate in Beverly Hills, California. However, at the time of her death, she reportedly died at a care home in Westlake Village, California. Although the cause of death wasn’t revealed, at 97, Barbara Rush lived a full life with lots of love from her family. Claudia Cowan released a statement concerning the death of her mother.
“My wonderful mother passed away peacefully at 5:28 this evening. I was with her this morning and know she was waiting for me to return home safely to transition. It’s fitting she chose to leave on Easter as it was one of her favorite holidays and now, of course, Easter will have a deeper significance for me and my family.”
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