Actress Barbara Perry Dead at 97

Stage performer and actress Barbara Perry died at the age of 97 from natural causes. The stunning actress was famous for her many roles including appearing in "The Dick Van Dyke Show."

Actress Barbara Perry died on Sunday from natural causes in Hollywood. She appeared in several films and TV shows including Samuel Fuller’s "Shock Corridor" (1963) and "The Naked Kiss" (1964).

She also starred in "The Dick Van Dyke Show" and most recently appeared in the show "Baskets." She was 97 at the time of her death.

She was born in Norfolk on June 22, 1921. Perry began performing at a young age as a member of the children’s ballet of the Met’s corps de ballet.

She made her big stage debut in "Madame Butterfly." She went on to study dance and performed at the Hollywood Bowl in the 1930s. Her talent for dancing was later on showcased at a variety of nightclubs including the Hotel Nacional de Cuba. She also had the honor of opening for icons Lena Horne and Peggy Lee.

She first appeared on the big screen in the 1933 film "Counsellor at Law." Two years later she had a small part in "The Mystery of Edwin Drood."

She also had an extensive stage career and appeared in "Rumple" and the Broadway production of "Happy as Larry." She went on to study at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and performed in "Zip Goes a Million."

When she returned to the U.S, she acted in "The Dick Van Dyke Show," "The Donna Reed Show," "The Hathaways," "My Three Sons," "St. Elsewhere," "Newhart" and "The Andy Griffith Show." She acted in a number of other films and also wrote and performed the award-winning one-woman show "Passionate Ladies."

Perry’s acting career continued with appearances in CBS’s "How I Met Your Mother" as well as FX’s "Baskets." She is survived by her daughter, Laurel Lee, granddaughter Audrey Lee and stepdaughters Karin and Michele.