‘Hill Street Blues’ Actress Dies at 83

The Emmy-nominated actress was known for playing Fay Furillo in the popular crime drama.

Barbara Bosson, the Emmy-nominated actress who portrayed Fay Furillo in Hill Street Blues throughout the 1980s, has died. She was 83.

The actress passed away in Santa Monica, California, on Saturday, as confirmed by her son, Jesse Bochco, who said in a statement that she "passed away peacefully on February 18, 2023, surrounded by her family and loved ones." No cause of death has been given.

Bosson had a successful career in acting, receiving an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Furillo in the crime procedural five years in a row, from 1981 to 1985.

In Hill Street Blues, Bosson's character is the ex-wife of Capt. Frank Furillo, played by Daniel J. Travanti, who constantly visits the precinct for things like alimony and child support or help with personal problems.

Bosson was also nominated for an Emmy in the same category years later for playing Miriam Grasso in Murder One and had notable roles in many other projects like Hooperman, Cop Rock and Civil Wars before retiring in 1997.

The late actress was married from 1970 to 1997 to Steven Bochco, a TV writer and producer who worked on Hill Street Blues and similar shows. The couple had two children together.

In a tribute to his mother, Bochco posted a throwback photo of Bosson and himself as a baby, "More spirit and zest than you could shake a stick at. When she loved you, you felt it without a doubt. If she didn’t, you may well have also known that too. Forever in our hearts. I love you Mama. Barbara 'Babs' Bosson Bochco 1939-2023 ❤️."

Many familiar names stopped by the comments to share their condolences, including actors Marla Sokoloff, Henry Simmons, Jason Ritter and Ivana Milicevic, who all likely knew Bosson or Bochco personally, the latter of which is a television director and producer who worked on shows like NYPD Blue, Murder in the First, and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Bosson is survived by her son and daughter and two grandchildren.