Barbara Colby

Barbara Colby (July 2, 1939 – July 24, 1975) died at the age of 36. Colby's first important television role was in the series premiere episode of Columbo, titled "Murder by the Book" in 1971. Colby began a bi-coastal career and played a host of support/guest roles on such established shows as The Odd Couple, McMillan & Wife, The F.B.I., Medical Center, Kung Fu and Gunsmoke.

Colby appeared in 1970s plays such as Aubrey Beardsley the Neophyte, House of Blue Leaves, Afternoon Tea and The Hot l Baltimore. She returned to the classics with an off-Broadway role as Elizabeth in Richard III, and was back on Broadway with the plays Murderous Angels in 1971 and a revival of A Doll's House in the early part of 1975.

In 1974, she appeared in two films, California Split and Memory of Us. Early in 1975, she co-starred in Rafferty and the Gold Dust Twins.

It was in a MTM Productions role as a streetwise prostitute opposite Mary Tyler Moore in an episode of the The Mary Tyler Moore Show that led to an appearance in a subsequent episode.

In 1975, MTM cast her as the new regular player on the Mary Tyler Moore Show spin-off, Phyllis, starring actress Cloris Leachman. Colby, who appeared earlier with Leachman in the TV movie A Brand New Life in 1973, was cast as Leachman's boss, Julie Erskine, the owner of a commercial photography studio.

On July 24, 1975, just three episodes into the TV series Phyllis, Colby and an acting colleague, James Kiernan, 35, were walking to their car following an acting class in Venice, Los Angeles, California, when they were shot inside a parking area. Colby was killed instantly; however, Kiernan was able to describe the shooters to police before he also succumbed to his wounds. Kiernan said that he did not recognize the two men who shot them, and that the shooting had occurred without warning, reason or provocation. Police noted that there was no attempt to rob the pair and concluded that it was a random drive-by shooting. The killers were never identified.

Liz Torres took over the role of Julie Erskine on Phyllis. Colby's final appearance was in the TV movie The Ashes of Mrs. Reasoner, which aired in 1976.

At the time of her death, Colby was separated from her husband, Bob Levitt, son of Ethel Merman.