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Barbara Tyson

Barbara Tyson

Actor · Born October 1, 1964 (62) · Barrie, Ontario, Canada

Barbara Tyson has appeared in movies, sitcoms, dramatic series, and television commercials. At the age of seventeen she began her voice over career, and has since recorded over 7000 radio and TV voice overs, in Toronto, New York, Los Angeles and Vancouver. Tyson's voice is heard in virtually all areas of media. Barbara's career began in Toronto, Ontario where she worked in an advertising agency by day, took college classes at night, and still managed to land parts in television, radio, and theatrical productions. Her big break came at the age of 18, when she was cast as Carol Burnett's daughter in "Between Friends", an HBO film starring Carol Burnett and Elizabeth Taylor. Barbara moved to New York City soon after to study acting at Carnegie Hall with renowned coach Freddie Kareman, and Herbert Berghof at HB Studios in Greenwich Village. Tyson then landed a contract role on the popular NBC Daytime series "Another World" as singer Dawn Rollo, the first character ever in daytime drama to to battle AIDS. This role garnered much publicity, including a feature story in People Magazine. As a singer/songwriter, Barbara fronted a band while in New York and was able to sing her original composition "Bye Bye" live on Another World. She had the opportunity to play such venues as "The Stone Pony" in Asbury Park, and CBGB's in New York City. After working and studying in New York City, Barbara moved to Los Angeles where she was cast in several productions taking her all over the world. Doctors, Cowgirls, Lawyers, and Madams. Killers, Cops, Aliens and Singers... Barbara Tyson has played them all. After four seasons on Neon Rider, a popular Canadian television Series. Tyson was tapped to star in a Stephen J. Cannell series called "TWO". In "TWO", Barbara played FBI Agent Terry Carter, alongside American actor Michael Easton. This made Tyson the first Vancouver-based actor to share equal billing with an American star. As Tyson's career grew she was cast as series regular Madame Luci Prescott opposite Tom Berenger in the Western "Peacemakers" for USA Network... and then as Mrs. Clause opposite Beau Bridges as Santa, in "A Christmas Secret". She was love interest to Jim Belushi in K9-PI, and Billy Connolly's wife in "Beautiful Joe". She played opposite Sam Elliot in "The Final Cut." Barbara also worked alongside Timothy Hutton in the Mini-Series, "5 Days to Midnight". Barbara, sometimes credited as "Barbara Bush", has appeared as a guest star on many television series, including E.R., The Outer Limits, Poltergeist, Fringe, Painkiller Jane, Fear Itself, and Alien Nation to name a few. She has also appeared on numerous sitcoms including the memorable "Bambi", secretary #22 on Murphy Brown with Candice Bergen. Bambi ran a phone-sex service off the side of her desk in the season 2 opener "Anchors Away."

Read more

Biography from IMDb.

Born
October 1, 1964 (62)
From
Barrie, Ontario, Canada
Works as
Actor
Titles
40 on MovieCove · 63 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Up 22% in 30 days

What are Barbara Tyson's films like?

Across their 14 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

Genres

Action2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 32nd percentile
: browse their Action movies
Adventure2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 54th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Adventure movies
Comedy2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 44th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Crime2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 39th percentile
: browse their Crime movies
Drama2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 47th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
30%
Morality
25%
Self
18%
Survival
13%
Society
12%
Power
2%
Justice5 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival4 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth2 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption2 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 13 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 8 · Serious 2 · Dark 3

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 9 · Stylized 3 · Heightened 1

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 6 · Charged 4 · Intense 3

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 10 · Shifting 3 · Whiplash 0

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 5 · Some laughs 6 · Funny 2

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 4 · Even-paced 7 · Relentless 2

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 8 · Engaged 5 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 12 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

2 analyzed roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
6
Hopeful
6
Joyful
4
Absurd
3
Romantic
3
Other
11

How their films linger

Feel-good8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy9
  • Bittersweet5

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Barbara Tyson's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 29 of their 40 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Barbara Tyson's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

63 credits, 40 with a MovieCove page.

  • The Chicken Sisters(2024)

    Show 7 episodes · as Magnolia

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all shows

  • How She Caught a Killer(2023)

    as Lady

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Endless(2020)

    Casting

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • You're Bacon Me Crazy(2020)

    as Mary

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • A Score to Settle(2019)

    Casting Associate

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Daughter of the Wolf(2019)

    Casting Associate

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Little Pink House(2017)

    as Paulette Vecchiarelli

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Love on the Sidelines(2015)

    as Julie Holland

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • How to Fall in Love(2012)

    as Harold's Mother

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Barbie in a Mermaid Tale 2(2011)

    as Ambassador Selena (voice)

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Barbie: A Fairy Secret(2011)

    as Tracy Clinger (voice)

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Matty Hanson and the Invisibility Ray (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Ellen Hanson

  • Freshman Father (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Marion Blair

  • Trust (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Francis

  • Fringe(2008)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Walsh

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Community (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Candace

  • Fear Itself(2008)

    Show 1 episode · as Candace

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • Battle in Seattle(2007)

    as Anna

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Luna: Spirit of the Whale(2007)

    as Lucy

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Painkiller Jane(2007)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all shows

  • Falcon Beach (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as Peggy Tanner

  • The 4400 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Lucy Gelder

  • 5ive Days to Midnight (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Mandy Murphy

  • The Collector(2004)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all shows

  • Jake 2.0 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Elena Dankova

  • Peacemakers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 10 episodes · as Luci Prescott

  • Cheaters(2002)

    as Mrs. Herman

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • John Doe (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as District Attorney

  • The Twilight Zone (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Hilary McGreevey

  • K-9: P.I.(2002)

    as Catherine

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Trapped (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Actor

  • The Chris Isaak Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Christmas Secret(2000)

    as Sasha

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Andromeda(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Voice Artist · as Voice Artist (voice)

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all shows

  • Mysterious Ways (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Ratz (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Judy Weingarten

  • Final Destination(2000)

    as Barbara Browning

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Resurrection(1999)

    as Sara Prudhomme

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • So Weird(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Sarah

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • First Wave (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Mira Ruben

  • Baby Monitor: Sound of Fear(1998)

    as Carol Whitten

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Cold Squad(1998)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all shows

  • To Brave Alaska(1996)

    as Barbara DeCreeft

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • The Pretender(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Robin Gantry

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows

  • Two (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 23 episodes · Actor

  • Poltergeist: The Legacy(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Miranda Blake

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all shows

  • Nash Bridges(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Gretchen Hale

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • Mixed Blessings (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Gayle

  • The Final Cut(1995)

    as Veronica Waller

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • The Outer Limits(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Carrie Emerson · as Dr. Kate · as Nancy Henniger

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • ER(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Gwen

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Viper (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Stephanie Sloan

  • North of 60 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Highlander(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Barbara Waverly

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • Pacific Heights(1990)

    as Amy

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Blossom(1990)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all shows

  • Ernest Goes to Jail(1990)

    as Charlotte Sparrow

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Alien Nation(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Lorraine Clark · as Lorraine Welch

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all shows

  • Neon Rider(1989)

    Show 25 episodes · as Eleanor James

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all shows

  • Murphy Brown (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 1 episode · as Secretary #22

  • Charles in Charge(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Veronica Radford

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all shows

  • Between Friends (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Francie

  • Another World (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 1,547 episodes · Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 93rd percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 63 titles from 1964 to 2024; peak year 2011.

Biggest box office

Ernest Goes to Jail (1990)

$25M worldwide

Highest rated

Barbie: A Fairy Secret (2011)

Midcredits 73rd

Film career

19642024

Peak 2011 · back in prominent film roles after a quiet stretch. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting60 of 63: 60 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score46thOther crew3 of 63: 3 only other crew, 0 with another role

By decade

1960s1 · acting1980s5 · acting1990s20 · acting2000s24 · acting2010s9 · 7 acting · 2 crew2020s4 · 3 acting · 1 crew

Billing

usually 7th · top billed in 0% of 12 roles
9010

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Barbara Tyson's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 46th percentile, the median of all 22; across their 13 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 42nd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

42ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Approval · how many liked their films

39thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Reach · how many have seen their films

61stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Midcredits score across 40 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up4
  • 50th to 74th13
  • 25th to 49th17
  • Below 25th6

Shape of the crowd

18 of their 40 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved2
  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser15
  • Broadly Agreed3
  • Mixed18

Most divisive · actor

The Chicken Sisters (2024)

80th percentile spread · 23% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Barbie: A Fairy Secret (2011)

Midcredits 73rd · 57% liked

Reviewers score the acting 58/100 in their films, across 13 reviewed titles; fans 72, detractors 36. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Barbara Tyson work with?

People who share at least 2 of Barbara Tyson's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Philip Granger shares the most, 2.

Actors

Producers