Barbara Tarbuck (January 15, 1942 – December 26, 2016) was an American film, television, and stage actress from Detroit, Michigan, best known for her recurring role as Lady Jane Jacks on General Hospital.

Life and career

Tarbuck was born in Detroit, Michigan. From the ages of 9–13, Tarbuck performed as a regular on the children's series Storyland, which aired on the Detroit AM radio station WWJ. From there, she learned acting skills from veteran actors on radio shows such as The Lone Ranger, The Shadow and The Green Hornet.[failed verification]

Tarbuck attended Cooley High School and Wayne State University. Upon winning the Eva Woodbridge Victor Scholarship, she finished her Bachelors in 1963. While in college, she participated in the production of Where's Charley, which toured through Europe. She also earned her master's degree in Theatre from the University of Michigan. She then went to Indiana University Bloomington to work as the lead actress in their inaugural theatre touring company season.

She began to work on her PhD and taught beginning acting. While at Indiana University, she was granted a Fulbright Scholarship to the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. She then moved to New York City to pursue her acting career in stage, film, and television productions. In her later career, alongside her acting roles, she taught acting at University of California, Los Angeles.

She married James Denis Connolly in 1980; he died in 2005. They had one child, Jennifer Lane Connolly, who is a documentary producer.

Tarbuck developed the neurodegenerative Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease and died due to complications at her Los Angeles home on December 26, 2016.

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1979Night-FlowersArlene
1986Short CircuitSen. Mills
1986Big TroubleHelen
1990The Death of the Incredible HulkAmy Pratt
1991Curly SueMrs. Arnold
1993Midnight WitnessLucy
1995The Tie That BindsJean Bennett
2002The Legend of RazorbackMirna Small
2003Tulse Luper Suitcases: The Moab StoryMa Fender
2004Walking TallConnie Vaughn
2007GoneCassandra Windemere
2008Wednesday AgainRose
2009S. DarkoAgatha
2014The PaintingProfessor Edna
2015Come SimiLisa(final film role)

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1979The WaltonsSalesladyEpisode: "The Parting"
1979The Incredible Hulk3rd Nurse2 episodes
1979Charlie's AngelsFrau HimbeereEpisode: "Rosemary, For Remembrance"
1979DallasAgnes3 episodes
1980CBS Afternoon PlayhouseMarionEpisode: "Lost in Death Valley"
1980Knots LandingSales clerkEpisode: "Courageous Convictions"
1981Little House on the PrairieBeth TomkinsEpisode: "The Lost Ones - Part 2"
1982M*A*S*HMaj. Judy "Parallel" ParkerEpisode: "Run for the Money"
1982Police Squad!Mrs. TwiceEpisode: "A Substantial Gift (The Broken Promise)"
1982NewhartMs. FletcherEpisode: "No Tigers at the Circus"
1982–1986DynastyDr. Holton2 episodes
1983St. ElsewhereAgnes NajinksyEpisode: "All About Eve"
1983Cagney & LaceyMrs. GradyEpisode: "Hopes and Dreams"
1984-1985Cagney & LaceyThelma Samuels2 episodes Episodes: "Matinee" and "The Clinic"
1985The Twilight ZoneSarita RosenthalEpisode: "One Life, Furnished in Early Poverty"
1986–1987Falcon CrestDr. Randal7 episodes
1987The Golden GirlsMartha McDowellEpisode: "To Catch a Neighbor"
1987Highway To HeavenMarie BriggsEpisode: "A Night to Remember"
1987Knots LandingMrs. SchumacherEpisode: "Missing Persons"
1988HunterJudge Ruth LoomisEpisode: "Boomerang"
1989L.A. LawDr. NagelEpisode: "His Suit Is Hirsute"
1989MoonlightingMaddie's ClassmateEpisode: "Eine Kleine Nacht Murder "
198921 Jump StreetJudge Irene PagotaEpisode: "Come from the Shadows"
1990The OutsidersTim's motherEpisode: "Only the Lonely"
1990DragnetMarthaEpisode: "Copy Cat"
1990Santa BarbaraSister Allegra9 episodes
1991Star Trek: The Next GenerationGovernor Leka TrionEpisode: "The Host"
1991–1992Civil WarsJudge Kaplan2 episodes
1992Quantum LeapEstherEpisode: "Roberto! - January 27, 1982"
1992Picket FencesMyraEpisode: "Remembering Rosemary"
1996–2010General HospitalLady Jane Jacks41 episodes
1997The PracticeJudge Emily StrongEpisode: "Part V"
1999ERAlice PresleyEpisode: "Choosing Joi"
2000CSI: Crime Scene InvestigationPaige Harmon2 episodes
2001Judging AmyDr. CodyEpisode: "Hold on Tight"
2002Star Trek: EnterpriseChancellor KalevEpisode: "Shadows of P'Jem"
2002Six Feet UnderSTD Clinic DoctorEpisode: "In the Game"
2003NYPD BlueBarbara Colohan3 episodes
2003Without a TraceUnknown2 episodes
2003Cold CaseHelen HoltzEpisode: "A Time to Hate"
2004NCISMrs. DonaldsonEpisode: "UnSEALeD"
2004Nip/TuckMrs. DeclanEpisode: "Naomi Ganes"
2005MediumCarol Waller SmithEpisode: "Time Out of Mind"
2005CSI: NYVivian ClavenEpisode: "Dancing with the Fishes"
2007JourneymanGrandmother VasserEpisode: "Home by Another Way"
2011GleeNancy BletheimEpisode: "The Purple Piano Project"
2012–2013American Horror Story: AsylumMother Superior Claudia5 episodes
2013Mad MenHazel TinsleyEpisode: "The Doorway, Part 2"
2013DexterSussman's motherEpisode: "Every Silver Lining..."

Theatre

YearTitleRoleNotes
1970Landscape and Silence
1978The Water Engine
1984Brighton Beach MemoirsKate Jerome

External links