American entertainer, an actress and singer whose six-decade career encompassed opera, Broadway musical theatre, regional theatre, films, and television.
She frequently toured with the NBC Opera Theatre (NBCOT) and the New York City Opera (NYCO). With the NBCOT she notably created the role of Agata in the world premiere of Gian Carlo Menotti’s Maria Golovin at the Expo ’58 in Brussels on 20 August 1958; later the same year she portrayed the role on Broadway. For the NBC, she also created the role of Arina in the premiere of Bohuslav Martin?’s The Marriage.
Her Broadway credits include Pipe Dream, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, A Flea in Her Ear, and Three Sisters. She was nominated for the 1963 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for Forum.
On screen she appeared in the feature film adaptation of How to Succeed, as well as Petulia, The Hindenburg, and Sister Act and Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit. Her television credits include a regular role on Bob (which starred Bob Newhart) and guest appearances on various shows. One of her more memorable roles was portraying the hijacked school bus driver in Dirty Harry.
Kobart died of pancreatic cancer at her home in San Francisco on 14 December 2002, aged 78, seven months after being diagnosed with the illness.
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