A glamorous screen favorite from the 1970s was recently spotted during a rare weekend outing on the East Coast.
Now 79, the actress launched her career in the late 1960s and went on to build an impressive résumé across both film and television. Famous for her vibrant red hair, she appeared alongside Hollywood heavyweights including Don Knotts, Henry Fonda, Robert Wagner, Kirk Douglas, Billy Crystal, and Richard Dreyfuss.
Her love of performing began early — she started dance lessons at just seven years old. Decades later, her final credited appearance came in 2011 on a popular ABC daytime drama.
So who is she?
It’s Barbara Rhoades — known for roles in The Goodbye Girl and the long-running soap One Life to Live.
Earlier this month, Rhoades was seen enjoying some fresh air in Westport, Connecticut. She kept warm in black trousers and a puffer jacket, pairing the look with black shoes, silver earrings, and stylish sunglasses.
Born in New York in March 1946, she signed with Universal Pictures in 1967, kicking off her professional acting career with a guest appearance on The Virginian. The following year, she appeared in the Western comedy The Shakiest Gun in the West opposite Don Knotts.
She went on to share the screen with Kirk Douglas and Henry Fonda in the 1970 Western There Was a Crooked Man… and later appeared in the Oscar-winning road comedy Harry and Tonto (1974).
Throughout the ’70s and ’80s, Rhoades became a familiar face on television, landing roles in series such as Bewitched, Happy Days, The Partridge Family, Columbo, Sanford and Son, and The Love Boat. She also portrayed Melody Feebeck on the sitcom Busting Loose and later starred as Maggie Chandler on Soap, which featured Billy Crystal among its ensemble cast.
In 1977, she appeared in The Goodbye Girl alongside Richard Dreyfuss, who earned an Academy Award for his performance.
Rhoades continued working steadily through the ’80s and ’90s, with appearances on Magnum, P.I., Murder, She Wrote, and Law & Order. In 2011, she wrapped up her on-screen career with a 21-episode run as Irene Manning on One Life to Live.
Before her screen success, Rhoades also performed on stage, including in productions of Funny Girl — proving her talents stretched well beyond the camera.
Even decades after her Hollywood heyday, she’s still instantly recognizable — especially thanks to that iconic red hair.
