Barbara Stuart was a popular TV actress who appeared in many shows and movies from the 1950s to the 2000s. She was best known for her roles in Bachelor Party, Airplane!, Pete and Gladys, and Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. She died on May 15, 2011, at the age of 81. What was the cause of her death? How did she suffer from a blood clot that led to her demise? Here is a brief overview of her life and death.
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Early Life and Career
Barbara Stuart was born as Barbara Ann McNeese on January 3, 1930, in Paris, Illinois. She grew up in Hume, Illinois, and graduated from high school there. She then moved to Cincinnati, where she studied acting at the Schuster-Martin School of Drama. She later moved to New York City, where she continued her acting training under Uta Hagen and Stella Adler.
She made her debut on stage in the national touring company of Lunatics and Lovers. She also worked as a showgirl in Las Vegas in the early 1960s. She began her TV career in 1954, appearing in various westerns and sitcoms. Some of her notable TV shows include The Twilight Zone, The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Andy Griffith Show, Batman, Banacek, and Three’s Company.
She also appeared in several films, such as Marines, Let’s Go (1961), Hellfighters (1968), Airplane! (1980), Bachelor Party (1984), and Pterodactyl Woman from Beverly Hills (1997). She was known for her blonde hair and warm personality.
Marriage and Health Problems
Barbara Stuart married actor Dick Gautier in 1967. He was her second husband, after Robert Brubaker. They had three children together. However, their marriage was not a smooth one. Their honeymoon was canceled by her hospitalization for a blood clot in her leg. According to Wikipedia, she was in the hospital for eight months as the clot moved to her lung and she developed pneumonia.
She recovered from this ordeal, but her health problems did not end there. She suffered from arthritis and diabetes later in life. She also had a stroke in 2009 that left her partially paralyzed. She moved to a nursing home in St. George, Utah, where she spent her last years.
Barbara Stuart Cause of Death: Pneumonia
On May 15, 2011, Barbara Stuart passed away at the nursing home. The cause of her death was pneumonia, according to The Celebrity Deaths. She was 81 years old. Her death was announced by her son-in-law Scott Wolkoff on Facebook. He wrote: “She was an amazing woman who lived an amazing life.”
She was survived by her three children, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Her ex-husband Dick Gautier died in 2017.
Legacy and Tributes
Barbara Stuart left behind a legacy of memorable performances and a loyal fan base. She was praised for her versatility and charm as an actress. She also received several awards and honors for her work. She won a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress for Bachelor Party in 1985. She also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1995.
Many of her co-stars and friends paid tribute to her after her death. Tom Hanks, who starred with her in Bachelor Party, tweeted: “Barbara Stuart was one of those actors who made every scene better because she was there.” Julie Hagerty, who worked with her in Airplane!, said: “She was a wonderful person and a great actress. I loved working with her.” Jim Nabors, who played Gomer Pyle opposite her Bunny character, said: “She was a joy to work with and a very talented lady.”
Barbara Stuart will always be remembered as one of the most beloved TV actresses of all time. Her fans will continue to enjoy her work and celebrate her life.
