Barbara Chase: Facts About Tanya Roberts’ Sister

Barbara Chase is an actress and the sister of the late Tanya Roberts. Barbara’s sister Tanya was an actress known for appearing in Charlie’s Angels (1980–1981), A View to a Kill (1985), Sheena: Queen of the Jungle (1984), The Beastmaster (1982) and That ’70s Show (1998–2004). Barbara is the ex-wife of psychologist, activist, and author Timothy Leary.

Barbara Chase: Bio Summary

How Old Is Barbara Chase?

Barbara Chase was born Barbara Susan Blum on 6 February 1946, in New York City, New York, USA. She is 78 years old as of 2024. Oscar Maximillian Blum and Dorothy Leigh Blum (née Smith) were her parents. Her father was born in New York, to an Ashkenazi Jewish family while her mother was an English emigrant, who was born in Oldham. Her parents were married in England in the year 1945.

Barbara Chase is the sister of Tanya Roberts who was born Victoria Leigh Blum (October 15, 1949 – January 6, 2021). Her paternal grandfather Theodore/Theodor W. Blum has been called “The most outstanding oral surgeon in America” for his pioneering work in local anesthesia and the use of X-rays in dental care. Her paternal grandmother was Bertha Roth.

Barbara’s father worked as an assistant manager for a music publishing house in New York City and was a sales executive for a pen manufacturer. Barbara and her sister Tanya Roberts were very close to each other. In the 1950s, the sisters lived together in Scarsdale, New York. At age 15, Tanya reportedly dropped out of high school and got married.

Tanya and her then-husband were married until her mother had the marriage annulled. Barbara’s educational background and qualifications are unknown. Her sister Tanya Roberts was hospitalized after she collapsed at her home and eventually died “from a urinary tract infection which spread to her kidney, gallbladder, liver and then blood stream.”

Unfortunately, Tanya Roberts died on January 6, 2021, at age 71, in Los Angeles, California, United States. She died of sepsis due to a urinary tract infection. She was cremated and her ashes were scattered along a hiking trail near her home in Laurel Canyon, California.

Barbara Chase Is An Actress

Barbara Chase is an actress. She has appeared in some films and TV series. She is the one who played Sheila in the film Ghosts of Hanley House. She played Katherine Hayes in an episode of Ryan’s Hope. She appeared in the films Money to Burn and Stitches. She also appeared in an episode of Cheers. She appeared in six episodes of the television series On the Television, according to her IMDb page.

ALSO, READ: Barry Roberts: How Did Tanya Roberts’ Husband Die?

Barbara Chase did not appear in further acting projects after the year 1989 per IMDb. She appeared as herself on the TV Special, Elvira’s Halloween Special. Her sister Tanya Roberts started her career as a model in TV ads for Excedrin, Ultra Brite, Clairol, and Cool Ray sunglasses. She made her film debut in The Last Victim and later appeared in The Yum-Yum Girls.

Tanya landed her early film roles in The Private Files of J. Edgar Hoover, Fingers, Tourist Trap, California Dreaming, and Racquet. She is known for playing Julie Rogers in the final season of the television series Charlie’s Angels (1980–1981), Stacey Sutton in the James Bond film A View to a Kill (1985), Sheena in Sheena: Queen of the Jungle (1984), Kiri in The Beastmaster (1982) and Midge Pinciotti on That ’70s Show (1998–2004).

Barbara Chase Has Been Married 3 Times

Barbara Chase has walked down the aisle three times with three different men. She was married to Robert Lewis but their marriage ended in October 1969. She married Richard Chase on June 2, 1973, but they got divorced. They had 1 child. Barbara became the wife number five of Timothy Leary (October 22, 1920 – May 31, 1996) who was a Psychologist, activist, and author.

Barbara and Timothy Leary got married on December 19, 1978. They adopted a child during their marriage. Their adopted child is Zachary “Zach” Leary. Zach is said to have been born on 18 October 1973 in Los Angeles, California, USA. He appeared as himself in the documentaries about his father, Timothy Leary’s Dead, and Tim Leary: The Art of Dying. Barbara and Timothy divorced in 1992.

ALSO, READ: Jayni Chase: Who is Chevy Chase’s wife in real life?

Barbara’s sister Tanya Roberts was married to actor and writer Barry Roberts from 1974 until he died in 2006. They had no children together. Tanya once said of her marriage to Barry: “We have been together over 20 years. I’m not really sure, we don’t celebrate anniversaries. I feel it only leads to divorce. Barry and I are best pals. We’re both physical people and have similar interests. Yet, Barry does not like golf!” After Barry died, Tanya became the partner of Lance O’Brien.