The Reckless Murder of Barbara Colby | Horrorwood: True Crime in Tinseltown

Barbara Colby was a rising star, best known for her illustrious theatre career and roles on the Mary Tyler Moore Show and Phyllis. But her life was tragically cut short in a senseless and brutal act of violence. On a fateful night in 1975, Barbara and her colleague, James Kiernan, were gunned down in a quiet Venice parking lot, leaving Hollywood stunned. What led to the shocking murder of this beloved actress? Tune in as we unravel the dark details of Barbara Colby’s untimely death.

Episode Sources:

“The Return of Barbara Colby” by Robert Taylor, November 12, 1972, Page 149, Oakland Tribune

“Barbara Colby: New Breed of Professional Repertory Actress” by John Weisman, March 8, 1970, Page 398, The Los Angeles Times

“The Unsolved Murder of Barbara Colby” by Jennifer Bladwin, August 4, 2021, Published in CrimeBeat, Medium

“176. Looks Like A Spinoff Into Tragedy - The Senseless Murder of Barbara Colby” by Just The Tip-Sters: True Crime Podcast, February 2, 2021

“Six Youths Seized In Three Slayings And Thefts on Coast” from July 26, 1975, Page 7, The New York Times

“The Barbara Colby Murder Case” from Namu Wiki, last modified May 5, 2024

“Phyllis” on IMDb

“Barbara Colby” on IMDb

“TV OFFICIAL FOUND DEAD IN L. I. HOME; Robert Levitt, Controller's Brother, Left Note -- Had Been Hearst Executive” special to The New York Times, January 28, 1958, Page 15

“Former SF Actress, 2 Others Slain” from The Times, San Mateo, California, July 26, 1975, Page 69

“The Son of Ethel Merman” by David Lobosco, January 28, 2023, A Trip Down Memory Lane