Patricia Barry, a veteran actress who starred in several soap operas, died on October 11, 2016, at the age of 94. She passed away at her home in Los Angeles, California, of natural causes. She is survived by her two daughters and grandchildren.
Early Life and Career
Patricia Barry was born Patricia Allen White on November 16, 1921, in Davenport, Iowa. Her father was a physician and her mother was a homemaker. She attended Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, where she studied theater under the renowned actress and teacher Maude Adams.
She began her acting career in the theater, appearing in summer stock and Broadway productions. She won a Rita Hayworth look-alike contest that led to her signing a movie contract with Warner Bros. in 1946. She appeared in several films, such as The Beast with Five Fingers, The Man Who Knew Too Much, and The Uninvited.
She also made her mark on television, appearing in over 100 series and movies from 1950 to 2005. Some of her notable roles include The Twilight Zone, Perry Mason, Gunsmoke, Rawhide, and The Night Strangler.
Soap Opera Stardom
Patricia Barry became a household name for soap opera fans in the 1970s and 1980s. She played Addie Horton Olson Williams on Days of Our Lives from 1971 to 1974. She was the mother of Julie Williams, one of the show’s main characters. She also had a brief affair with Julie’s husband Doug Williams, resulting in a pregnancy.
She then moved to All My Children, where she played Peg English from 1977 to 1980. She was the mother of Brooke English, another prominent character on the show. She also had a rivalry with Erica Kane, the show’s iconic villainess.
She also appeared on Guiding Light as Sally Gleason from 1984 to 1987. She was the sister of Ross Marler, a lawyer and politician. She had a romance with Ed Bauer, a doctor and patriarch of the Bauer family.
Legacy and Tributes
Patricia Barry retired from acting in 2005 after appearing in Sea of Love and Delusional. She was married twice: first to actor Robert F. Simon, with whom she had two children; and second to producer Philip Barry Jr., with whom she had one child. Her second husband died in 1998.
She was honored by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for her contributions to television. She also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960.
Her fans and colleagues paid tribute to her after her death. Her former co-star Susan Lucci posted on Instagram: “I am so sad to hear that Patricia Barry has passed away–she played my mother-in-law Peg English on All My Children–she was wonderful to work with–a true professional–and always so elegant.”
Her former co-star Deidre Hall posted on Facebook: “We’ve lost another great one today! Patricia Barry was an amazing actress who brought grace and dignity to every role she played.”
Her former co-star Ronn Moss posted on Twitter: “RIP Patricia Barry. You were a lovely lady and a joy to work with.”
Patricia Barry will be remembered as a talented and versatile actress who entertained millions of viewers with her performances on stage, film, and television.
