Barbara Rush, the acclaimed actress renowned for her roles in It Came from Outer Space and the television series Peyton Place, passed away peacefully on March 31, 2024, at the age of 97. Her daughter, Claudia Cowan, a senior correspondent for Fox News, confirmed the news, sharing that her mother died at 5:28 p.m.
Cowan noted that Barbara was “waiting for me to return home safely to transition,” adding that it was fitting her mother chose Easter—a holiday she cherished—to pass away.
Born on January 4, 1927, in Denver, Colorado, Barbara Rush was raised in Santa Barbara, California. She began her acting career at the Pasadena Playhouse before being discovered by a talent scout, leading to a contract with Paramount Pictures in 1950.
She made her film debut in The Goldbergs and quickly became known for her roles in science fiction films like When Worlds Collide (1951) and It Came from Outer Space (1953). In the latter, she portrayed Ellen Fields, a schoolteacher who encounters aliens, earning her a Golden Globe for Most Promising Newcomer in 1954.
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Rush starred in several notable films, including Magnificent Obsession (1954), The Young Lions (1958), and The Young Philadelphians (1959).
She shared the screen with Hollywood legends such as Marlon Brando, Paul Newman, and Rock Hudson. Her television career flourished with a prominent role in the ABC soap opera Peyton Place (1964–1969), where she portrayed Marsha Russell, a woman navigating a tumultuous divorce and raising her daughter.
She also appeared in series like Batman, playing the villain Nora Clavicle, and made guest appearances on Magnum P.I., Murder, She Wrote, and Fantasy Island.
In the 1980s, Rush transitioned to television, starring in All My Children and Flamingo Road. She later portrayed Ruth Camden, the matriarch of the Camden family, in the popular series 7th Heaven from 1997 to 2007. Her final acting credit came at the age of 90, showcasing her enduring talent and passion for the craft.
Barbara Rush’s career spanned over seven decades, leaving an indelible mark on both film and television. She is survived by her daughter, Claudia Cowan, and her son, Christopher Hunter. Her legacy continues to inspire audiences and fellow actors alike.
