Claudia Bryar

Hortense "Claudia" Bryar (née Rizley; May 18, 1918 – June 16, 2011) was an American actress. She is best known for portraying Emma Spool in the film Psycho II (1983).

Claudia Bryar
Born	Hortense Rizley (1918-05-18)May 18, 1918 Guymon, Oklahoma, U.S.
Died	June 16, 2011(2011-06-16) (aged 93) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1955–1986
Spouse(s)	Paul Bryar (m. 19??; his death 1985)
Children	3
Parent(s)	Ross Rizley Ruby Elaine Seal

Early years

Bryar was one of seven children of Ruby Elaine (née Seal) and Ross Rizley, a congressman and federal judge.

Career

Active from the 1950s to the 1980s, she is perhaps best known for her role as Mrs. Emma Spool in Psycho II (1983).

Bryars gained early acting experience with the Pasadena Playhouse.[1] She played small parts in mostly Western television series such as Gunsmoke, Bonanza, and The Guns of Will Sonnett, but also The Real McCoys, The Bob Newhart Show, The Andy Griffith Show, Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., and The Twilight Zone (Episode: "Mute"). She had a small role in Leave It To Beaver episode “Community Chest” (5/13/1961). She had a small role in Denise the Menace episode “Pythias Was a Piker” (1/29/1961).She appeared in small roles in such films as I Was A Teenage Frankenstein (1957) and Bad Company (1972). She appeared in made-for-TV movies such as The Family Nobody Wanted (1975) and Alexander: The Other Side of Dawn (1977). Her career ended with her role of Mrs. Prince in Hill Street Blues.[2]

Personal life

Bryar was married to actor Paul Bryar (born Gabriel Paul Barrere) until his death in 1985. The couple had three children,[3] including Paul Barrere, guitarist and singer with the rock band Little Feat.[4] On June 16, 2011, Bryar died in Los Angeles at the age of 93.[1]

Selected filmography

• The Houston Story (1956) as Clara Phelan (uncredited)
• Giant (1956) as Older Beauty Operator (uncredited)
• The Wrong Man (1956) as Small Role (uncredited)
• I Was A Teenage Frankenstein (1957) as Arlene's Mother
• The True Story of Lynn Stuart (1958) as Nora Efron (uncredited)
• Official Detective (1958, Episode: "The Deserted House") as Melissa Falcon
• A Big Hand for the Little Lady (1966) as Mrs. Price (uncredited)
• The Ride to Hangman's Tree (1967) as Mrs. Harmon
• The Shakiest Gun in the West (1968) as Mrs. Remington (uncredited)
• Angel in My Pocket (1969) as Mrs. Axel Gresham
• Gaily, Gaily (1969) as Mother
• Bad Company (1972) as Mrs. Clum
• Ace Eli and Rodger of the Skies (1973) as Ann
• Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid (1973) as Mrs. Horrell
• Psycho II (1983) as Mrs. Emma Spool
• Psycho III (1986) as Mrs. Emma Spool (flashback, uncredited)

References

1. Lentz, Harris M., III (2012). Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2011. McFarland. p. 46. ISBN 9780786491346. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
2. Claudia Bryar on IMDb
3. Obituary, latimes.com; accessed May 18, 2015.
4. Google Books

External links

• Claudia Bryar on IMDb
• Pictures of Claudia Bryar as Mrs. Emma Spool, Cinemorgue.com
• Obituary, latimes.com