Julia Barr
Encyclopedia
Julia Barr is an American
actress. Barr is most famous for her role on the soap opera
All My Children
, playing the character of Brooke English
. She played the role from 1976 to 1981 and from 1982 to December 20, 2006 and Barr made a special appearance as Brooke on January 5, 2010 as part of the series' 40th anniversary, and returned on February 23, 2010 for a three-month stint until April 23, 2010.
Growing up as an only child in Fort Wayne, Barr made her acting debut at the age of 13 in a production of Peter Pan
. This helped her decide to pursue acting as a career, and by the time she graduated from college at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne
, she had performed in 25 professional productions. She spent two years at the Studio Arena Theater
in Buffalo, New York
.
. She was soon invited to join the cast of All My Children
as Brooke, succeeding Elissa Leeds in the role. Her portrayal of Brooke has garnered Barr eight Daytime Emmy Award
nominations (1980, 1981, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1998 and 2001), winning the trophy in 1990 and 1998 for 'Outstanding Supporting Actress'. Brooke became a fan favorite and a fixture of the show. She also became close friends with noted actress Ruth Warrick
, who portrayed her aunt Phoebe on the show until her death in 2005.
Barr was at one time a vocalist in a band that she formed with Richard Shoberg
, who played her onscreen husband Tom Cudahy
.
Barr played Erica Kane in an audition scene with David Canary
.
Barr took a 15-month break from the show beginning in 1981, during which time she toured with Katharine Hepburn
and Dorothy Loudon
in the national touring company of West Side Waltz. She returned to the show in 1982.
Despite fan outcry, Barr's airtime on AMC has diminished over the years with Brooke only being used to further other characters storylines.
In late 2006, executives
at ABC
did not renew Barr's contract, and offered her recurring status (without a guarantee of appearances). Barr declined. Fans of the show were upset that Barr was leaving; the controversy was further fueled by the fact that the writers did not craft an exit for her, but rather, the character simply stopped appearing. Barr's contract officially expired in December.
Barr returned to AMC for the soap's 40th Anniversary on January 4 and 5, 2010.
Barr again returned to AMC in February 2010 for what is expected to be a brief stint coinciding with the retirement of David Canary
(Adam Chandler
) on April 23, 2010.
who is also an actress, appearing briefly as Lizzie Spaulding
on Guiding Light
. The couple lives in suburban New Jersey.
In her spare time, Barr is also an advocate of animal rights
. She believes in spaying and neutering, and is a spokesperson for the Fund for Animals.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actress. Barr is most famous for her role on the soap opera
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
All My Children
All My Children
All My Children is an American television soap opera that aired on ABC from January 5, 1970 to September 23, 2011. Created by Agnes Nixon, All My Children is set in Pine Valley, Pennsylvania, a fictitious suburb of Philadelphia. The show features Susan Lucci as Erica Kane, one of daytime's most...
, playing the character of Brooke English
Brooke English
Brooke Allison English is a fictional character on the television soap opera All My Children. After being originated by Elissa Leeds in 1976, she was portrayed by Julia Barr from 1976 to 1981 and from 1982 to 2006. Harriet Hall temporarily played the role in 1981...
. She played the role from 1976 to 1981 and from 1982 to December 20, 2006 and Barr made a special appearance as Brooke on January 5, 2010 as part of the series' 40th anniversary, and returned on February 23, 2010 for a three-month stint until April 23, 2010.
Growing up as an only child in Fort Wayne, Barr made her acting debut at the age of 13 in a production of Peter Pan
Peter Pan
Peter Pan is a character created by Scottish novelist and playwright J. M. Barrie . A mischievous boy who can fly and magically refuses to grow up, Peter Pan spends his never-ending childhood adventuring on the small island of Neverland as the leader of his gang the Lost Boys, interacting with...
. This helped her decide to pursue acting as a career, and by the time she graduated from college at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne
Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne
Indiana University – Purdue University Fort Wayne is the largest university in northern Indiana, United States, offering more than 200 Indiana University and Purdue University degrees and certificates. Since 1968, IPFW has conferred nearly 8,800 master’s degrees, 27,000 bachelor’s degrees, more...
, she had performed in 25 professional productions. She spent two years at the Studio Arena Theater
Studio Arena Theater
- History :Founded in the 1920s in Buffalo, NY by a group of local enthusiasts, the Studio Theatre evolved as both a theatre and a theatre school into Western New York's only professional regional theatre....
in Buffalo, New York
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
.
Career
Barr broke into soap operas with a short stint as bad girl Reenie Szabo on the now-defunct Ryan's HopeRyan's Hope
Ryan's Hope is an American soap opera, revolving around 13 years of trials and tribulations within a large Irish American family in the Riverside district of New York City. It aired from July 7, 1975 to January 13, 1989 on ABC...
. She was soon invited to join the cast of All My Children
All My Children
All My Children is an American television soap opera that aired on ABC from January 5, 1970 to September 23, 2011. Created by Agnes Nixon, All My Children is set in Pine Valley, Pennsylvania, a fictitious suburb of Philadelphia. The show features Susan Lucci as Erica Kane, one of daytime's most...
as Brooke, succeeding Elissa Leeds in the role. Her portrayal of Brooke has garnered Barr eight Daytime Emmy Award
Daytime Emmy Award
The Daytime Emmy Awards are awards presented by the New York-based National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and the Los Angeles-based Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in recognition of excellence in American daytime television programming...
nominations (1980, 1981, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1998 and 2001), winning the trophy in 1990 and 1998 for 'Outstanding Supporting Actress'. Brooke became a fan favorite and a fixture of the show. She also became close friends with noted actress Ruth Warrick
Ruth Warrick
Ruth Elizabeth Warrick , DM, was an American singer, actress and political activist, best known for her role as Phoebe Tyler on All My Children, which she played regularly from 1970 until her death in 2005....
, who portrayed her aunt Phoebe on the show until her death in 2005.
Barr was at one time a vocalist in a band that she formed with Richard Shoberg
Richard Shoberg
Richard Shoberg is an American actor and writer.He first appeared in soap operas as Mitch Farmer on Somerset from 1971 to 1972...
, who played her onscreen husband Tom Cudahy
Tom Cudahy
Thomas 'Tom' Cudahy is on-and-off again fictional character that is a resident of Pine Valley in the television soap opera All My Children. He was portrayed by Richard Shoberg from 1977 to 1995 on contract, then 1995 to 1996 on recurring, and also from 1996 to present appearing as intermittent...
.
Barr played Erica Kane in an audition scene with David Canary
David Canary
David Hoyt Canary is an American actor, who starred in both soap operas and prime time television. He is best known for his roles as the ranch foreman, Candy Canaday on Bonanza and identical twins Adam Chandler from 1983 to 2010 and Stuart Chandler from 1984 to 2009 on the daytime serial, All My...
.
Barr took a 15-month break from the show beginning in 1981, during which time she toured with Katharine Hepburn
Katharine Hepburn
Katharine Houghton Hepburn was an American actress of film, stage, and television. In a career that spanned 62 years as a leading lady, she was best known for playing strong-willed, sophisticated women in both dramas and comedies...
and Dorothy Loudon
Dorothy Loudon
Dorothy Loudon was an American comedy actress and singer. She won the 1977 Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Miss Hannigan in Annie.-Early life and career:Loudon was born in...
in the national touring company of West Side Waltz. She returned to the show in 1982.
Despite fan outcry, Barr's airtime on AMC has diminished over the years with Brooke only being used to further other characters storylines.
In late 2006, executives
Brian Frons
Brian Frons is an American television executive, and president of ABC Daytime.- Educational background :Frons holds a Master of Science degree in Communications from Syracuse University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the State University of New York at Fredonia.-Television...
at ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
did not renew Barr's contract, and offered her recurring status (without a guarantee of appearances). Barr declined. Fans of the show were upset that Barr was leaving; the controversy was further fueled by the fact that the writers did not craft an exit for her, but rather, the character simply stopped appearing. Barr's contract officially expired in December.
Barr returned to AMC for the soap's 40th Anniversary on January 4 and 5, 2010.
Barr again returned to AMC in February 2010 for what is expected to be a brief stint coinciding with the retirement of David Canary
David Canary
David Hoyt Canary is an American actor, who starred in both soap operas and prime time television. He is best known for his roles as the ranch foreman, Candy Canaday on Bonanza and identical twins Adam Chandler from 1983 to 2010 and Stuart Chandler from 1984 to 2009 on the daytime serial, All My...
(Adam Chandler
Adam Chandler
Adam Chandler, Sr. is a fictional character from the daytime drama All My Children, portrayed by David Canary from December 1983 through his departure on April 23, 2010. Adam Chandler was one of the most devious and powerful individuals within the town of Pine Valley, Pennsylvania...
) on April 23, 2010.
Personal life
Barr's first marriage, to Richard Barr, ended in divorce. She met her second husband, Richard Hirschlag, in a musical comedy class. Barr married Hirschlag on Valentine's Day 1982 in a Manhattan brownstone. The two have a daughter named AllisonAllison Hirschlag
Allison Hirschlag is the daughter of long-time actress Julia Barr of All My Children. Allison was the third actress to play Lizzie Spaulding on Guiding Light, from 2002-2003.Hirschlag attended Dwight-Englewood School in Englewood, New Jersey....
who is also an actress, appearing briefly as Lizzie Spaulding
Lizzie Spaulding
Elizabeth Lillian "Lizzie" Lewis was a fictional character on the CBS daytime soap opera Guiding Light. She was one of the soap's most popular and featured characters. She was the daughter of supercouple Phillip Spaulding and ex-wife, Beth Raines...
on Guiding Light
Guiding Light
Guiding Light is an American daytime television drama that is credited by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest running drama in television and radio history, running from 1937 until 2009...
. The couple lives in suburban New Jersey.
In her spare time, Barr is also an advocate of animal rights
Animal rights
Animal rights, also known as animal liberation, is the idea that the most basic interests of non-human animals should be afforded the same consideration as the similar interests of human beings...
. She believes in spaying and neutering, and is a spokesperson for the Fund for Animals.
Won
- Daytime Emmy Awards: 1990, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for All My ChildrenAll My ChildrenAll My Children is an American television soap opera that aired on ABC from January 5, 1970 to September 23, 2011. Created by Agnes Nixon, All My Children is set in Pine Valley, Pennsylvania, a fictitious suburb of Philadelphia. The show features Susan Lucci as Erica Kane, one of daytime's most...
- Daytime Emmy Awards: 1998, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for All My ChildrenAll My ChildrenAll My Children is an American television soap opera that aired on ABC from January 5, 1970 to September 23, 2011. Created by Agnes Nixon, All My Children is set in Pine Valley, Pennsylvania, a fictitious suburb of Philadelphia. The show features Susan Lucci as Erica Kane, one of daytime's most...
- Soap Opera Digest AwardsSoap Opera Digest AwardsThe Soap Opera Digest Awards were an awards show held by the daytime television magazine Soap Opera Digest. The awards were founded in 1984 to replace the less-lavish Soapy Award; those awards shows had run since 1977. The Soap Opera Digest Awards are meant to promote excellence in the soap opera...
: 1991, Outstanding Supporting Actress: Daytime for All My ChildrenAll My ChildrenAll My Children is an American television soap opera that aired on ABC from January 5, 1970 to September 23, 2011. Created by Agnes Nixon, All My Children is set in Pine Valley, Pennsylvania, a fictitious suburb of Philadelphia. The show features Susan Lucci as Erica Kane, one of daytime's most...
Nominated
- Daytime Emmy Awards
- (1980) Daytime Emmy AwardDaytime Emmy AwardThe Daytime Emmy Awards are awards presented by the New York-based National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and the Los Angeles-based Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in recognition of excellence in American daytime television programming...
for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series - (1981) Daytime Emmy AwardDaytime Emmy AwardThe Daytime Emmy Awards are awards presented by the New York-based National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and the Los Angeles-based Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in recognition of excellence in American daytime television programming...
for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series - (1991) Daytime Emmy AwardDaytime Emmy AwardThe Daytime Emmy Awards are awards presented by the New York-based National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and the Los Angeles-based Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in recognition of excellence in American daytime television programming...
for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series - (1993) Daytime Emmy AwardDaytime Emmy AwardThe Daytime Emmy Awards are awards presented by the New York-based National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and the Los Angeles-based Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in recognition of excellence in American daytime television programming...
for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series - (1994) Daytime Emmy AwardDaytime Emmy AwardThe Daytime Emmy Awards are awards presented by the New York-based National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and the Los Angeles-based Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in recognition of excellence in American daytime television programming...
for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series - (2001) Daytime Emmy AwardDaytime Emmy AwardThe Daytime Emmy Awards are awards presented by the New York-based National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and the Los Angeles-based Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in recognition of excellence in American daytime television programming...
for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
- (1980) Daytime Emmy Award
- Soap Opera Digest AwardsSoap Opera Digest AwardsThe Soap Opera Digest Awards were an awards show held by the daytime television magazine Soap Opera Digest. The awards were founded in 1984 to replace the less-lavish Soapy Award; those awards shows had run since 1977. The Soap Opera Digest Awards are meant to promote excellence in the soap opera...
- (1990) Soap Opera Digest Award for Outstanding Lead Actress: Daytime
- (1992) Soap Opera Digest AwardsSoap Opera Digest AwardsThe Soap Opera Digest Awards were an awards show held by the daytime television magazine Soap Opera Digest. The awards were founded in 1984 to replace the less-lavish Soapy Award; those awards shows had run since 1977. The Soap Opera Digest Awards are meant to promote excellence in the soap opera...
for Outstanding Lead Actress: Daytime - (2003) Soap Opera Digest AwardsSoap Opera Digest AwardsThe Soap Opera Digest Awards were an awards show held by the daytime television magazine Soap Opera Digest. The awards were founded in 1984 to replace the less-lavish Soapy Award; those awards shows had run since 1977. The Soap Opera Digest Awards are meant to promote excellence in the soap opera...
for Outstanding Lead Actress