Nov 10, 2025 By John Sacco 3 min read

When Greene County native Susan Barnes smiled, it was impossible not to smile back.

“She was outgoing, that’s for sure,” said Bud Chambers, who was a neighbor to the actress in Rices Landing during the later part of her life. “She was very smart, intelligent and a great actor.”

Barnes, who grew up in Greene County and went on to appear in more than 40 movies and many other television shows, died on Sept. 14 at age 78. On Nov. 15, family and friends will celebrate her life and career at Behm Funeral Home in Jefferson.

Barnes’ niece Faye Moore lives in the state of Washington and said her aunt was “very present from afar my entire life.” On the occasions Barnes visited, Moore said she was treated to her aunt’s “incredible infectious laugh” and quick wit.

“She was very theatrical and dramatic in everything she did,” Moore said. “She was complicated and complex and never short of opinions – sometimes needed and sometimes not. She loved her family fiercely.”

While she was a student at West Virginia University, Barnes performed with the Orchesis dance ensemble and appeared in the university’s production of “West Side Story.” That marked the beginning of her acting career.

After completing graduate studies in dance, Barnes taught and directed productions at both the high school and university levels. The Jefferson-Morgan High School graduate went on to become a founding member of the Arkansas Repertory Theatre. It was there she was discovered by actor George Peppard, who starred alongside Audrey Hepburn in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.”

Barnes’ stage work led to a successful career in film and television, with co-starring roles in more than 40 major motion pictures and appearances alongside Paul Newman, Nicolas Cage, Glenn Close, Morgan Freeman, Jeff Bridges and Andy Garcia.

She held regular roles on television shows, including “Laverne & Shirley,” “Growing Pains,” and “Titus.”

Her IMDB page lists her as a cast member in 60 films and television shows, including the movies “Leaving Las Vegas” and “Speed.”

Her honors include a Fringe First Award (Edinburgh), the Los Angeles-San Francisco Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Actress, and a nomination for an Olivier Award in London.

Barnes also contributed to regional theater across the United States, creating a college workshop titled “The Business of Show Business” to prepare students for careers in acting. The program included a mentoring component and was offered at institutions across the country.

Sallie DeEtte Mackle was 18 when she moved to Los Angeles and met Barnes at an audition for a children’s theater company.

“I had to read Shakespeare. I was really panicking,” Mackle said.

She said Barnes sat in front of her, looking her in the eye during the reading. That helped put Mackle at ease.

“That’s the way she was with young people, especially people she thought had talent,” Mackle said.

Barnes was born and raised in Rices Landing, the oldest child of three to William and Ruth Barnes.

She is survived by her brother, Bill, her niece and nephew, and her grandnieces and nephew.

A celebration of Barnes’ life and career is from 2 to 4 p.m. on Nov. 15 at Behm Funeral Home, 1477 Jefferson Road, Jefferson.