Barbara Bosson
Barbara Bosson (November 1, 1939 – February 18, 2023) was an American actress. She is best known for her roles in the television series Hill Street Blues (1981–1986) and Murder One (1995–1997), for both of which she received six Primetime Emmy Award nominations.
Barbara Bosson | |
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![]() Bosson in 1985 | |
Born | Charleroi, Pennsylvania, U.S. | November 1, 1939
Died | February 18, 2023 83) Los Angeles, California, U.S. | (aged
Occupation | Actress |
Years active | 1967–1998 |
Spouse | |
Children | 2 |
Biography
Bosson was born in Charleroi, Pennsylvania, to a tennis coach father. Her first feature film was the crime thriller Bullitt (1968). She was best-known for her role in the 1980s NBC television series Hill Street Blues as Fay Furillo during the series' first six seasons. She later went on to play the tough prosecutor Miriam Grasso on Murder One from 1995 to 1997, which earned her an additional Emmy Award nomination.
Bosson starred in the 1970s series Richie Brockelman, Private Eye as Sharon. Her other roles included the series Hooperman and Cop Rock. Some of Bosson's film appearances include her well-known role as Alex Rogan's mother in the science fiction film The Last Starfighter (1984).
Bosson made guest appearances on many series, including Mannix, Crazy Like a Fox, L.A. Law, Civil Wars, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (in episode "Rivals" as Roana), and Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman.
In 1970, Bosson married writer-producer Steven Bochco, who created several of the series in which she starred, including Hill Street Blues, L.A. Law, Murder One, and Cop Rock. The couple had two children before divorcing in 1997.
Bosson died in Los Angeles on February 18, 2023, at the age of 83.[1]
Filmography

Film
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1968 | Bullitt | Nurse | Uncredited |
1969 | The Love God? | Minor | Uncredited |
1974 | Mame | Emily | |
1978 | Capricorn One | Alva Leacock | |
1978 | Operating Room | Unknown | Television movie |
1984 | Calendar Girl Murders | Nancy | Television movie |
1984 | The Last Starfighter | Jane Rogan | |
1985 | Hostage Flight | Roberta Spooner | Television movie |
1986 | The Education of Allison Tate | Lisa Stubbs | |
1989 | Little Sweetheart | Mrs. Davies | |
1998 | Scattering Dad | Writer | Television movie |
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1969 | Mannix | Miss Riley | S3-Episode 05: "A Question of Midnight" |
1972 | Longstreet | Unknown | Episode: "The Sound of Money Talking" |
1972 | Emergency! | Mrs. Collins | Episode: "Saddled" |
1972 | Alias Smith and Jones | Mrs. Schwedes | Episode: "The Ten Days That Shook Kid Curry" |
1973 | Griff | Zena | Episode: "Countdown to Terror" |
1974 | McMillan & Wife | Della Wheatley | Episode: "Downshift to Danger" |
1975 | Sunshine | Mrs. Cox | Episode: "Father Nature" |
1976 | McMillan & Wife | Nurse Roz Beach | Episode: "The Deadly Cure" |
1976 | Delvecchio | Nancy Travis | Episode: "Board of Rights" |
1978 | Richie Brockelman, Private Eye | Sharon Diederson | 6 episodes |
1981–1985 | Hill Street Blues | Fay Furillo | 100 episodes Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (1981–85) |
1986 | Crazy Like a Fox | Unknown | Episode: "A Fox at the Races" |
1986 | L.A. Law | Stacey Gill | 2 episodes |
1986 | The New Mike Hammer | Mrs. Wayne | Episode: "Requiem for Billy" |
1987 | ABC Afterschool Special | Donna Crandall | Episode: "Supermom's Daughter" |
1987–1989 | Hooperman | Captain C.Z. Stern | 42 episodes |
1988 | Hotel | Sydney Page | Episode: "Contest of Wills" |
1988 | Murder, She Wrote | Diane Raymond | Episode: "Wearing of the Green" |
1990 | Cop Rock | Mayor Louise Plank | 10 episodes |
1992–1993 | Civil Wars | Judge Babyak | 3 episodes |
1994 | Star Trek: Deep Space Nine | Roana | Episode: "Rivals" |
1994 | NYPD Blue | Miriam Davis | Episode: "Simone Says" |
1995–1997 | Murder One | Miriam Grasso | 41 episodes Viewers for Quality Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Quality Drama Series Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series |
1995 | Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman | Dr. Friskin | 2 episodes |
1997 | Total Security | Pamela Chapin | Episode: "Evasion of the Body Snatchers" |
References
- MacCary, Julia. "Barbara Bosson, 'Hill Street Blues' Star, Dies at 83". Variety. Retrieved February 20, 2023.