Barbara Bosson, ‘Hill Street Blues’ Actress, Dies At 83

Barbara Bosson, who is remembered for her multi Emmy-nominated performance on the 1980s crime drama Hill Street Blues, died Saturday, February 18. She was 83. Bosson’s son Jesse Bochco confirmed the news on his Instagram Sunday.

“More spirit and zest than you could shake a stick at,” wrote the TV producer and director. “When she loved you, you felt it without a doubt. If she didn’t, you may well have also known that too. Forever in our hearts. I love you Mama.”

Produced by her then husband Steven Bochco, Bosson was nominated for an Emmy in the category of Best Supporting Actress in a Drama for five consecutive seasons as Fay Furillo, the ex-wife of Daniel J. Travanti as Capt. Frank Furillo on Hill Street Blues.

She later went on to play the tough prosecutor Miriam Grasso on the legal drama Murder One from 1995 to 1997, which was also from Steven Bochco and earned her a sixth Emmy nomination.

Born November 1, 1939 in Charleroj, Pennsylvania, Barbara Bosson made her big screen debut in the 1968 Steve McQueen film Bullit, and began on television as a writer on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, and in guest appearances on dramas Mannix, Longstreet, Emergency!, Alias Smith and Jones, McMillan and Wife, and Ironside. Her first regularly scheduled series role was in the short-lived detective drama Richie Brockelman, Private Eye in 1978. Three years later she began her six season stint on Hill Street Blues, and she later appeared opposite John Ritter in the two season Bochco cop drama Hooperman from 1987-89.

Following guest appearances in Steven Bochco’s L.A. Law and NYPD Blue, she co-starred in her third Bochco production, the bizarre musical crime drama Cop Rock, in 1990. The pair divorced after 27 years of marriage in 1997.

Bosson also made guest appearances on episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, among other shows.

Bosson is survived by her son Jesse, daughter Melissa and two grandchildren.