Actress Joanna Barnes, of ‘Parent Trap’ fame, dead at 87

THE SEA RANCH, Calif. — Longtime film and television actor Joanna Barnes, who appeared in both versions of “The Parent Trap,” died Friday at her California home following a lengthy illness. She was 87.

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The actor had dealt with “multiple health problems,” her friend Sally Jackson told The Hollywood Reporter.

Barnes also starred as Jane opposite Denny Miller in 1959′s “Tarzan, the Ape Man.” She also appeared alongside Kirk Douglas in both “Spartacus” the following year and 1967′s “The War Wagon,” as well as with Tony Curtis in 1964′s “Goodbye Charlie” and 1967′s “Don’t Make Waves,” the entertainment news outlet reported.

Barnes is most remembered, however, for her 1961 turn as gold-digger Vicky Robinson in the original “The Parent Trap” and its 1998 remake in which she played Robinson’s mother, Vicki Blake, Deadline reported.

Meanwhile, the Boston native’s extensive television career spanned decades and included starring roles in three series: “21 Beacon Street,” “The Trials of O’Brien” and “Dateline Hollywood.” She also frequently made guest appearances on shows such as “The Millionaire,” “Mannix,” “Murder She Wrote,” “Cheers,” “What’s My Line,” “To Tell the Truth” and “The Johnny Carson Show,” the entertainment news site reported.

Barnes was also a prolific author and newspaper columnist, whose most lauded works included 1970′s “The Deceivers,” which chronicled a young actress’ alienation in Hollywood, and 1980′s “Pastora,” which reviewer Kevin Mims claimed did for California’s Gold Rush what Margaret Mitchell’s “Gone With the Wind” did for the Civil War in the American South,” THR reported.

Barnes’ other two novels included “Who is Carla Hart” and “Silverwood. She also was a regular book reviewer for the Los Angeles Times and wrote “Touching Home,” a syndicated column dedicated to interior design, according to the outlet.

Born in Boston in 1934, Barnes was raised in Hingham, Massachusetts, and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa at Smith College before taking Hollywood by storm and earning a Golden Globe nomination for her portrayal of Gloria Upson is 1958′s “Auntie Mame,” Deadline reported.

According to THR, Barnes wed three times: to Richard Herndon, Lawrence Dobkin and Jack Lionel Warner.

She is survived by two sisters, Lilly Barnes Freeman and Judith Barnes Wood; three stepchildren: John Barnes, Laura Warner and Louise Warner; and her beloved dog, Gracie Warner.

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