
Barbara Bosson
Biography
Barbara Bosson, who earned an Emmy Award nomination for her performance on Murder One (1995), was raised in Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania, a small coal-mining town about 30 miles south of Pittsburgh. When she was a teenager, she and her family moved to Florida, where she attended Boca Ciega High School in Gulfport. After graduation, she was accepted into the Drama Department of Carnegie Tech in Pittsburgh (now Carnegie Mellon). When Bosson learned the tuition would be too great a burden on her parents, she instead moved to New York. She supported herself in a variety of jobs -- secretary, television production assistant, Playboy Bunny, etc.
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-- while studying acting with Milton Katselas and Herbert Berghof, and musical comedy with Word Baker. Six years later, Bosson reevaluated her prospects while working as a secretary for ACT (the American Conservatory Theater). She spoke frequently with various drama department heads, including Earl Gister, head of Carnegie Tech's Drama Department. Deciding it wasn't too late to pursue her dream, she asked Gister for an audition. He agreed. Bosson can't remember her audition, but it convinced Gister to place her in the school and to assist her in finding scholarship money. So, at 26, she became Carnegie Tech's oldest freshman. While attending Carnegie Tech, Bosson met her future husband, Steven Bochco (whom she would not marry until years later), and fellow Hill Street Blues (1981) stars Bruce Weitz and Charles Haid. On a summer break from Carnegie Tech, she landed a job in San Francisco with the improvisational group, "The Committee". With Gister's blessing, she stayed with the group and performed with them for three years. Bosson is a five-time Emmy Award nominee for Best Supporting Actress in a Dramatic Series for her portrayal of "Fay Furillo" in the Emmy Award-winning series, Hill Street Blues (1981). An innovative cook, Bosson raised her own herbs and vegetables. She enjoyed skiing, doing crossword puzzles and dancing. Bosson also hated dieting, which she had done unsuccessfully for 25 years. Bosson had two children with Bochco and resided in Los Angeles.
Known for
Star Trek: Deep Space NineRoana7.9
The Last StarfighterJane Rogan6.6
Capricorn OneAlva Leacock6.8
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of SupermanDr. Friskin6.9
Murder, She WroteDiane Raymond7.5
NYPD BlueMiriam Davis7.1
Hill Street BluesFay Furillo7.6
L.A. LawStacey Gill7.0
IronsideKatie (uncredited)6.8
MannixMiss Riley6.9
Emergency!Mrs. Collins8.0
MameEmily5.8
Filmography
- 1997Murder One: Diary of a Serial KillerFilm: Miriam Grasso
- 1995Murder OneSeries: Deputy D.A. Miriam Grasso (41 episodes)
- 1993NYPD BlueSeries: Miriam Davis (1 episode)
- 1993Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of SupermanSeries: Dr. Friskin (2 episodes)
- 1993Star Trek: Deep Space NineSeries: Roana (1 episode)
- 1991Civil WarsSeries: Justice Beth Babyak (1 episode)
- 1990Cop RockSeries: Mayor Louise Plank (11 episodes)
- 1990Jury Duty: The ComedyFilm: Brattner
- 1989Poison CandyFilm: Mrs Davies
- 1987HoopermanSeries: Captain C.Z. Stern (42 episodes)
- 1987Supermom's DaughterFilm: Donna Crandall
- 1986The Abduction of Allison TateFilm: Lisa Stubbs
- 1986L.A. LawSeries: Stacey Gill (2 episodes)
- 1985Hostage FlightFilm: Roberta Spooner
- 1984Crazy like a FoxSeries: Riza's Ex-wife (1 episode)
- 1984Murder, She WroteSeries: Diane Raymond (1 episode)
- 1984The Last StarfighterFilm: Jane Rogan
- 1984Calendar Girl MurdersFilm: Nancy
- 1983Imps*Film: Pam
- 1981Hill Street BluesSeries: Fay Furillo (102 episodes)
- 1978Richie Brockelman, Private EyeSeries: Sharon Diederson (6 episodes)
- 1977Capricorn OneFilm: Alva Leacock
- 1976Richie Brockelman: The Missing 24 HoursFilm: Sharon Peterson
- 1976DelvecchioSeries: Nancy Travis (1 episode)
- 1974MameFilm: Emily
- 1972Emergency!Series: Mrs. Collins (1 episode)
- 1971The Impatient HeartFilm: Esther Crowley
- 1971McMillan & WifeSeries: Nurse Roz Beach, Della Wheatley (1 episode)
- 1971Alias Smith and JonesSeries (1 episode)
- 1969The Love God?Film: Minor Role (uncredited)
- 1967MannixSeries: Miss Riley (1 episode)
- 1967IronsideSeries: Katie (uncredited) (1 episode)
- 1967The Smothers Brothers Comedy HourSeries: Various, Writer (5 episodes)
Biography and credits from TMDB. This website uses TMDB and the TMDB APIs but is not endorsed, certified, or otherwise approved by TMDB.