Remembering Barbara Rush: Iconic Actress from 'All My Children' and '7th Heaven' Passes Away at 97

Actress Barbara Rush, known for her roles in All My Children, 7th Heaven, and more, has passed away at the age of 97.

Her daughter, Claudia Cowan, a senior correspondent at Fox News, shared the sad news of Rush's passing on Sunday, March 31. Cowan mentioned, "My wonderful mother passed away peacefully at 5:28 this evening. I was with her this morning and knew she was waiting for me to return home safely to transition. It’s fitting she chose to leave on Easter as it was one of her favorite holidays and now, of course, Easter will have a deeper significance for me and my family."

Rush had a long-lasting on-camera career that stretched across decades. In 1954, she earned the Golden Globe Award for Most Promising Newcomer – Female for her performance in the sci-fi movie It Came from Outer Space. During her time in Hollywood, she acted alongside top leading men such as Dean Martin, Paul Newman, Frank Sinatra, Rock Hudson, Kirk Douglas, and others.

Towards the late 1960s, Rush transitioned to television and made appearances on popular shows like Ben Casey, Dr. Kildare, The Fugitive, and Ironside. She was a regular on every episode of NBC’s Flamingo Road from 1980 to 1982 and also secured roles on Knight Rider, The Love Boat, Magnum P.I., and other well-known shows of that era.

Before her role as Nola Orsini on the ABC soap opera All My Children in the 1990s, Rush was known for playing Marsha Russell on Peyton Place. This half-hour soap opera aired from 1964 to 1969, and Rush joined the cast in 1968.

Former All My Children and 7th Heaven Actress Barbara Rush Dead at Age 97

Barbara Rush, known for her role as Ruth Camden on 7th Heaven, is a familiar face to younger TV fans. She portrayed the mother of Eric Camden (played by Stephen Collins) and the grandmother of his seven children: Matt (Barry Watson), Mary (Jessica Biel), Lucy (Beverley Mitchell), Simon (David Gallagher), Ruthie (Mackenzie Rosman), Sam, and David (Nikolas and Lorenzo Brino).

Rush was a renowned theater star, known for her performance in the one-woman show A Woman of Independent Means, for which she received a Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award. The show depicted a character at various stages of her life, from age 7 to 70. Apart from this, Rush also toured in productions like Private Lives and Steel Magnolias.

In terms of her personal life, Rush was married three times. Her first marriage was to actor Jeffrey Hunter in 1950, but they divorced in 1955. She then tied the knot with publicist Warren Cowan in 1959, but the marriage ended in 1969. Rush's final marriage was to sculptor Jim Gruzalski in 1970 after they met at an Engelbert Humperdinck concert. However, their relationship ended after three years.

Along with daughter Claudia, whom she shared with her second husband, Rush welcomed son Christopher Hunter with her first husband.

Editor's P/S:

The passing of Barbara Rush, a beloved actress known for her iconic roles in both film and television, is a profound loss for the entertainment industry and her countless fans. Her extensive career, spanning over seven decades, left an indelible mark on Hollywood. Rush's versatility as an actress allowed her to portray a wide range of characters, from the enigmatic Nola Orsini in "All My Children" to the wise and loving Ruth Camden in "7th Heaven." Her ability to connect with audiences on a deeply emotional level is a testament to her exceptional talent.

Rush's personal life was equally remarkable. Her three marriages, including her union with famed publicist Warren Cowan, reflect the complexities of her life off-screen. The birth of her children, Claudia and Christopher, brought her immense joy and fulfillment. Her daughter Claudia's poignant tribute to her mother on Easter, a holiday that held special significance for Rush, is a touching testament to the unbreakable bond between them. Barbara Rush's legacy will continue to inspire and entertain generations to come.