Barbara Rush, the luminous starlet of Hollywood’s heyday, has taken her final bow at the age of 97. With a career that glittered across silver screens, she enchanted audiences in beloved classics such as “Magnificent Obsession,” “Bigger Than Life,” and “The Young Philadelphians.”
Born in Denver on January 4, 1927, Rush’s journey to stardom began when Paramount Pictures discovered her talent in 1950. She swiftly became a fixture in the industry, sharing the screen with icons like Rock Hudson, James Mason, and Paul Newman. Her performances spanned the spectrum from gripping dramas to thrilling science fiction adventures like “When Worlds Collide” and “It Came From Outer Space,” which earned her a prestigious Golden Globe accolade.
Television audiences also cherished Rush for her roles on “Peyton Place” and as the indomitable Grandma Ruth Camden on “7th Heaven.” Beyond screens big and small, she lit up stages with her presence, earning accolades for her theatrical prowess, including a distinguished honor from the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle.
Married to actor Jeffrey Hunter and later to legendary publicist Warren Cowan, Rush’s life was a tapestry woven with Hollywood glamour and artistic fervor. Her legacy endures not just in the annals of film history but as a testament to the enduring power of talent, grace, and a life well-lived in the spotlight.
