Barbara "Bobo" Lewis (May 14, 1926 – November 6, 1998) was an American comedic actress of film, musical theatre, stage and television.

Bobo Lewis
Lewis, 1969
Born
Barbara Lewis

(1926-05-14)May 14, 1926
DiedNovember 6, 1998(1998-11-06) (aged 72)
New York City, U.S.
OccupationActress
Years active1962–1998

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

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  • 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

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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

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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

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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".[citation needed]

Death

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Lewis died on November 6, 1998, at New York Hospital in Manhattan from cancer, aged 72.[1]

Filmography

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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

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  1. ^ a b "Bobo Lewis, 72, Longtime Actress In Circle Repertory". The New York Times. November 13, 1998. p. B 14. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
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