Julia Barr

Julia Barr (born Julia Rose Buchheit on February 8, 1949 in Fort Wayne, Indiana) is an Emmy Award-winning 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.

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.

Career

Barr broke into soap operas with a short stint as bad girl Reenie Szabo on the now-defunct "Ryan's Hope". 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 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 All My Children 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. "All My Children" has not said officially if there will be a recast of the role with another actress but have not as of April, 2008.

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 Allison 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.

Trivia

*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.

Awards

Won

Daytime Emmy Awards
* (1990 & 1998) Daytime Emmy Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for "All My Children"

Nominated

Daytime Emmy Awards
*(1980, 1981, 1991, 1993, 1994 & 2001) Daytime Emmy Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for "All My Children"

External links

*imdb|0056530
* [http://www.juliarosebarr.com/ Official site]