Oscar nominee Barbara Barrie dies by medically assisted suicide at 95

Barbara Barrie, who received an Oscar nomination for her role in the 1979 coming-of-age film "Breaking Away," has died. She was 95.

Barrie's "passing was medically assisted in accordance with the New York State Medical Aid in Dying law, of which she was a proponent and advocate," her agent, Gary Gersh, told USA TODAY on Oct. 28.

The "Suddenly Susan" actress, who had been diagnosed with terminal cancer, died in her New York City home Oct. 28, The New York Times reported, citing her daughter, Jane Harnick.

Barrie had also previously disclosed a diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic, incurable lung disease, Playbill reported in September 2014.

"I have a very full, active life, but what lies ahead is unknown and yet known at the same time," she said in a statement at the time. "I am living full steam ahead and am now trying to help other people do the same."

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis develops when the tissue surrounding the lungs' air sacs thickens and becomes stiff, causing permanent scarring that makes breathing increasingly difficult, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

Symptoms include occasional chest pain, shortness of breath, feeling faint and gradual weight loss, per the National Library of Medicine's MedlinePlus.

The Medical Aid in Dying Act, signed into law in February by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, allows eligible terminally ill adults with a prognosis of six months or less to request medication prescribed by a physician to end their lives, subject to safeguards and eligibility requirements.

In the Peter Yates-directed "Breaking Away," Barrie played Evelyn Stohler, mom to Dave Stohler, played by Dennis Christopher, who earned a Golden Globe nomination for his part. Her performance as a loving mom to a teenage boy in Bloomington, Indiana, earned her a best supporting actress nomination at the 1980 Academy Awards.

She also scored a Tony nomination for best featured actress in a musical as the original Sarah in Stephen Sondheim's Broadway musical "Company." Among her numerous other stage credits were the original runs of "The Selling of the President" and "The Prisoner of Second Avenue."

Her extensive credits in the TV realm also came with recognition from the industry, with Barrie earning Emmy nominations for roles in the one-season ABC show "Breaking Away" – based on the film she starred in – as well as her single-episode appearances in "Law and Order" and "Law & Order: SVU."

Barrie also played Brooke Shields' grandmother on all four seasons of the NBC sitcom "Suddenly Susan" from 1996 to 2000 and lead Hal Linden's wife Elizabeth in "Barney Miller," in which she mainly appeared in the first season.

Her most notable film credits include "One Potato, Two Potato," "The Six Wives of Henry Lefay" and "Private Benjamin."

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or visit 988lifeline.org for free, confidential support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Contributing: Chris McKenna, USA TODAY Network