RIP Barbara Russell

Pittsburgh actress/comedian Barbara Russell died Saturday August 25, 208. Russell was known to Pittsburghers as half of the popular comedy team of Brockett and Barbara, with the late Don Brockett, but children nationwide knew her from “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” including the first episode, when she appeared as the eccentric Mrs. Russellite, collector of lampshades. She appeared in later episodes as herself and the voice of Mrs. Hilda Dingleborder, among other characters, and for many years she performed programs for elementary school and pre-K Pittsburghers. Russell was born on June 16, 1933 in Black Lick, Pennsylvania and appeared in one episode of the Euro-western TV series ‘Bordertown’ in 1990.