She played one of All My Children’s most enduring characters, Brooke English. Get to know talented and versatile Julia Barr!
Age of Aquarius
Barr’s birthday is February 8, making her an Aquarius. It is said that, among other traits, folks born under this sign are “intelligent and quick witted.”
What’s in a Name?
Barr’s given name is Julia Rose Buchheit.
Acting Aspirations
Barr’s first acting appearance was onstage at age 13 in Peter Pan in her hometown of Ft. Wayne, Indiana.
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Treading the Boards
She majored in theater at Indiana University-Purdue University, Ft. Wayne, and followed with honing her acting chips at Studio Arena Theater in Buffalo, New York for two years. Scapino, and A Girl in My Soup (with noted actor Van Johnson) were among the plays she performed there. Barr also acted in the national touring company of West Side Waltz with acting greats Katharine Hepburn and Dorothy Loudon.
Soap Springboard
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Barr made her soap debut not as Brooke but on Ryan’s Hope as Reenie Szabo, a character who found her share of trouble. Barr began the role of Brooke in 1976, and briefly reprised the role in the online incarnation of the soap in 2013.
Awards Recognition
Barr has been honored several times over for her acting ability. She has won the Daytime Emmy twice — in 1990 and 1999–in the category of Outstanding Supporting Actress. She also is the recipient of the Soap Opera Digest Award (1991) in the same category.
Other Projects
Barr has also appeared on the big screen in I, the Jury, and in the television miniseries The Adams Chronicles.
Passionate Cause
She is an animal rights advocate, and has lent her voice to the advocacy group Fund for Animals. She also sang on the 2002 Christmas album, From Our House…To Yours, the proceeds of which benefited the fund.
A Helping Hand
Barr is also an advocate for helping the homeless, and was active in New York City’s Coalition for the Homeless’s First Step Program, which helps those in need prepare to enter the workforce.
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Family Gal
Barr is married to oral surgeon Dr. Richard Hirschlag, and they have a daughter, Alison, who has also acted and has appeared on such shows as Guiding Light, Law and Order: SVU and Law and Order: Criminal Intent.
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