From Jim Gruzalski to Jeffrey Hunter: Barbara Rush’s relationships explored after actress’ death at 97

On March 31, 2024, at the age of 97, Barbara Rush, a beloved American actress known for her iconic performances in It Came From Outer Space and Peyton Place, passed away. Her daughter, Claudia Cowan, a correspondent for Fox News Channel, shared the heartbreaking news with Fox News Digital on Sunday.

“My wonderful mother passed away peacefully at 5:28 this evening. I was with her this morning and know she was waiting for me to return home safely to transition. It’s fitting she chose to leave on Easter as it was one of her favorite holidays and now, of course, Easter will have a deeper significance for me and my family,”Claudia told the news channel.

Barbara Rush was born on January 4, 1927 in Denver and began her acting journey when she was signed by Paramount for The Goldbergs in 1950. One of her most notable roles was as Ellen Fields in Jack Arnold’s 1953 sci-fi film It Came From Outer Space, for which she received a Golden Globe award in 1954.

Despite being married three times, Rush is survived by her two children, Claudia Cowan and Christopher Hunter.

A timeline of Barbara Rush’s romantic history

Barbara Rush had been married three times and divorced as stated by IMDb. She was first introduced to her former husband, Jeffrey Hunter, also an actor, before being signed by Paramount in 1950. Their marriage took place in December of the same year, making them a highly recognized couple in Hollywood. Together, they welcomed a son, Christopher, in 1952. However, their marriage ended in March 1955 after just three years.

After tying the knot with Hunter, Rush’s career reached its peak as she appeared alongside Hollywood’s top male stars such as Montgomery Clift, Marlon Brando, Dean Martin, Paul Newman, Richard Burton, and Kirk Douglas.

During the early ’60s, her film career experienced a decline as she married her second husband, Warren Cowan, a publicist, in 1959. They welcomed their daughter, Claudia, in 1964.

Despite her first marriage to Cowan ending in divorce in August 1969, Barbara Rush went on to marry fellow actor Jim Gruzalski over a year later. Gruzalski, known for his roles in Barnaby Jones, Starsky and Hutch, and Police Woman, became Rush’s second husband. However, their marriage also ended in divorce in October 1973.

Barbara Rush’s Final Film Role: Bleeding Hearts: The Arteries of Glenda Bryant (2017)

Barbara Rush had a long and diverse acting career that stretched over several decades, encompassing film, television, and stage. She appeared in her final acting role in the 2017 short film Bleeding Hearts: The Arteries of Glenda Bryant, co-starring with her niece Carolyn Hennesy.

Throughout the 1960s, Rush made appearances on television, taking on guest roles in several well-known shows. One of her most memorable guest appearances was in 1968, where she played the villainous Nora Clavicle in Adam West’s version of Batman from the 1966 series. When asked about her role as the antagonist, she shared with Fox Digital:

“Oh… when you’re an actress, you don’t think about things like that. You just think, ‘I have a job!’ You just don’t project what your future is going to be. And [Nora Clavicle] was just so funny. I just love comedy and she was very light-hearted. She was a kick.”

Marsha Russell, portrayed by her, gained widespread recognition for her role in the ABC soap opera Peyton Place, which she appeared in for 75 episodes from 1968 to 1969.

Barbara Rush resided in the Harold Lloyd Estate in Beverly Hills, California until she passed away on Easter in 2024.