Bobo Lewis | |
|---|---|
 Lewis, 1969 | |
| Born | Barbara Lewis May 14, 1926 Miami, Florida, U.S. |
| Died | November 6, 1998 (aged 72) New York City, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1962–1998 |
Barbara "Bobo" Lewis (May 14, 1926 – November 6, 1998) was an American comedic actress of film, musical theatre, stage and television.
Born in Miami, Florida, Lewis studied acting and won a Drama Desk Award in 1978 for portraying a teacher in Working on Broadway. In 1997, she was nominated for a Joseph Jefferson Award.[1]
Stage roles
- The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 (as Bernice Roth); April 6, 1987 - August 1, 1987
- 42nd Street (as Maggie Jones; replacement); July 21, 1987 - January 8, 1989
- Working (as Fran Swenson, Grace Clements, Lucille Page and Rose Hoffman); May 14, 1978 - June 4, 1978
- Lorelei (as Mrs. Ella Spofford; replacement); January 27, 1974 -November 3, 1974
- The Women (as Dowager and as Olga); April 25, 1973 - June 17, 1973
- Twigs (as Emily, Celia, Dorothy and Ma; standby); November 14, 1971 - July 23, 1972
Television
Bobo Lewis was most famous for her role as gossip Midge Smoot on the children's television series Shining Time Station. She remained with the show for its entire run from 1989 to 1993. Lewis would later appear in the four succeeding Shining Time Specials in 1995. Her other television appearances include roles on sitcoms such as Bewitched, The Monkees, That Girl, and Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C..
Film
Bobo was seen in a handful of well-known films such as It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963), Under the Yum Yum Tree (1963), Way...Way Out (1966) Can't Stop the Music (1980), Arthur (1981) Her Alibi (1989), Miami Blues (1990) and The Paper (1994).
Legacy
She teamed up with her Broadway co-star Lynne Thigpen (Working, 1978) to create the Lynne Thigpen-Bobo Lewis Foundation "to help young actresses and actors learn how to survive and succeed in New York theater".
Death
Lewis died on November 6, 1998, at New York Hospital in Manhattan from cancer, aged 72.[1]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | The Interns | Gwen | |
| 1963 | Under the Yum Yum Tree | Claudia Hoffer | |
| 1963 | It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World | Pilot's Wife | Uncredited |
| 1964 | Kiss Me, Stupid | Waitress | |
| 1966 | Way... Way Out | Esther Davenport | |
| 1970 | Which Way to the Front? | Camille Bland | |
| 1975 | The Wild Party | Wilma | |
| 1975 | Lovers Like Us | Miss Mark | |
| 1980 | Can't Stop the Music | Breadwoman | |
| 1981 | The Nesting | Catherine Beasley | |
| 1981 | Arthur | Lady in Coffee Shop | |
| 1982 | Blood Bride | Mama | |
| 1987 | The Adventure of the Action Hunters | ||
| 1988 | Running on Empty | Home Ec Teacher | |
| 1989 | Her Alibi | Rose | |
| 1990 | Miami Blues | Edna Damrosch | |
| 1994 | The Paper | Anna | |
| 1998 | One True Thing | Muriel | |
| 1998 | Just the Ticket | Mrs. Dolmatch | |
| 1999 | Hit and Runway | Cousin Rosalie | (final film role) |
References
- 1 2 "Bobo Lewis, 72, Longtime Actress In Circle Repertory". The New York Times. November 13, 1998. p. B 14. Retrieved June 2, 2021.