Barnard Hughes, a captivating character actor who performed memorably on film, television and stage for several decades, died on July 11 in New York City of natural causes. He was 90.

Born Barnard Kiernan Hughes on July 16, 1915 in Bedford Hills, New York, a city located just 46 miles north of the Big Apple, his acting career began at the tender age of 19; he accepted a dare from a friend to join the Shakespeare Fellowship Repertory Company in New York City. Barnard, the product of a hard-working, Irish-American family, put his nose to the grindstone for the next 20 years, and dedicated himself to summer stock, and eventually Broadway. Being a New York based actor meant he had access to early live television work such as The United States Steel Hour and Kraft Television Theatre where his talents were given wide exposure. He landed his first regular role on television playing Dr. Bruce Banning on The Guiding Light (1961-66) and he followed that with some occasional guest appearances on popular shows: Naked City, Route 66 and Dark Shadows.

His film resume grew considerably after his role as Towny in Midnight Cowboy (1969). He then played ample support in such offbeat fare as: Where's Poppa? (1970); his hilarious turn as the nicotine addicted surgeon in Cold Turkey (1971); The Hospital (1971); Sisters (1973); and as the sympathetic judge who humors John Denver in Oh God (1977). Hughes was also given a chance to shine in his own series, and he gave it a game shot with the sitcoms Doc (1975-76); Mr. Merlin (1981-82); and The Cavanaughs (1986-87). His biggest hit was one where he didn't play the lead, but where he played a cantankerous but lovable senior in Blossom (1991-95).

His best-known film role was when he repeated his Tony-winning turn in Da (1988). The story, of a poor gardener who continues to haunt his loved ones after his death, was far from a commercial hit, but it established Hughes in the eyes of critics as being one of the most versatile character players of his generation. Hughes rounded out his career with some more solid backing in big hit comedies: Doc Hollywood (1991), Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993), The Odd Couple II (1998); but he closed his film career with a performance in the adaptation of the endearing off-Broadway smash, The Fantasticks (2000). He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Wendy; son, Doug, who is an acclaimed Broadway director; daughter, Laura; and one grandson.

by Michael T. Toole