Oscar-nominated actor Barbara Barrie dies aged 95 by medically-assisted dying

Oscar-nominated actor Barbara Barrie has died at the age of 95 with medical assistance.

The actor’s daughter revealed the news and her agent confirming her mother’s choice to make use of the New York law that allows medically assisted dying.

Barbara Barrie dies aged 95

The actor, who was in several high profile films such as Breaking Away and One Potato, Two Potato, had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and chose to die at her home in Manhattan.

In 1994, Barrie was diagnosed with rectal cancer and became an outspoken advoctate for those living with the disease.

She had not been aware that her family had a history of the illness, but found that it was genetically present.

In 1997, she spoke about the stigma of the disease: "Didn’t you know this is a disease that’s been running in our family for three generations?

"No, I didn’t know this was in our family because in those days, you didn’t say rectum, or cancer.”

Why did she choose medically assisted dying?

Gary Gersh, Barrie’s agent, told USA today that she wanted to breathe her last breath at her home in New York, in accordance with the laws of the state.

Under the Medical Aid in Dying Act of New York, medically assisted dying is legal for those with terminal illnesses.

In 2014, Barrie had also revealed that she was living with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis , a chronic and incurable lung disease.

At the time, she said: "I have a very full, active life, but what lies ahead is unknown and yet known at the same time,

"I am living full steam ahead and am now trying to help other people do the same.”

Medical assistance in dying

The controversial act only came into effect in New York in February 2026, allowing those with terminal illnesses to have some agency and choice over their own death.

It was first brought forward in 2016 and passed the state legislature in 2025.

The bill was signed by Governor Kathy Hochul earlier this year.

According to that law, a terminally ill person with six months or less to live can choose to request, obtain or ingest medication that allows them to die peacefully, if their suffering is unbearable.

Barbara Barrie’s remarkable career

Barrie had a career that spanned many decades, starting out on Broadway in the 1950s before moving into film afterwards.

In 1964, she starred in One Potato, Two Potato, a standout film about an interracial couple.

Her biggest role by far was 1979’s Breaking Away, for which she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress.