Actor Gene Barry Dies at 90 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 12-10-2009, 09:13 PM

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Not reported by any news outlets yet, but The Washington Post has confirmed the death of actor Gene Barry Dec. 9 in Woodland Hills, Calif., at age 90.

Perhaps not a household name now, but for 20 years Barry was a major TV star as the sharply-dressed lawmen of the series "Bat Masterson" and "Burke's Law." He began his career on Broadway opposite Mae West in "Catherine Was Great" (1944) and starred in the 1953 alien-invasion film "War of the Worlds."

A longtime cabaret and touring stage performer, Mr. Barry played President Richard M. Nixon in a 1982 Atlanta production of "Watergate: A Musical." The next year he originated the Broadway role of a gay night-club owner raising a son in "La Cage aux Folles," a Jerry Herman musical based on a French stage play. Barry got a Tony nomination.

"I'm not playing a homosexual," Mr. Barry told the New York Times. "I'm playing a person who cares deeply about another person. The role is loving another person onstage. It doesn't matter whether it's a man, a woman or a giraffe. It has nothing to do with sexuality, as far as I'm concerned. I play the dignity of the man, his concern for his lover and his concern and love for his son."

Bit of trivia: Barry played a murderous psychiatrist in "Prescription: Murder," the 1968 TV movie that kicked off Peter Falk's career as Lt. Columbo.

catlover79 · 12-11-2009, 12:12 AM

Mr. Television · 12-11-2009, 01:00 AM

It's too bad his shows aren't seen much anymore. I've seen a couple of Bat Masterson episodes and it was a pretty good show. He was truly one of the greats. R.I.P. Gene.

tv star collector · 12-11-2009, 09:15 AM

Gene Barry's Bat Masterson was one of my childhood heroes, growing up
in the late 1950s. He was also great as Amos Burke, in Burke's Law,
and in the Columbo pilot. Oh, and I must not forget his starring role in
the classic sci-fi movie, War of the Worlds. An outstanding actor.

12-10-2009, 09:13 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,349	Actor Gene Barry Dies at 90 Link Not reported by any news outlets yet, but The Washington Post has confirmed the death of actor Gene Barry Dec. 9 in Woodland Hills, Calif., at age 90. Perhaps not a household name now, but for 20 years Barry was a major TV star as the sharply-dressed lawmen of the series "Bat Masterson" and "Burke's Law." He began his career on Broadway opposite Mae West in "Catherine Was Great" (1944) and starred in the 1953 alien-invasion film "War of the Worlds." A longtime cabaret and touring stage performer, Mr. Barry played President Richard M. Nixon in a 1982 Atlanta production of "Watergate: A Musical." The next year he originated the Broadway role of a gay night-club owner raising a son in "La Cage aux Folles," a Jerry Herman musical based on a French stage play. Barry got a Tony nomination. "I'm not playing a homosexual," Mr. Barry told the New York Times. "I'm playing a person who cares deeply about another person. The role is loving another person onstage. It doesn't matter whether it's a man, a woman or a giraffe. It has nothing to do with sexuality, as far as I'm concerned. I play the dignity of the man, his concern for his lover and his concern and love for his son." Bit of trivia: Barry played a murderous psychiatrist in "Prescription: Murder," the 1968 TV movie that kicked off Peter Falk's career as Lt. Columbo.
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

12-11-2009, 12:12 AM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

12-11-2009, 01:00 AM	#3
Mr. Television 22 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,128	It's too bad his shows aren't seen much anymore. I've seen a couple of Bat Masterson episodes and it was a pretty good show. He was truly one of the greats. R.I.P. Gene.
	__________________ Sonny

12-11-2009, 09:15 AM	#4
tv star collector I Love Susie Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 18, 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 4,486	Gene Barry's Bat Masterson was one of my childhood heroes, growing up in the late 1950s. He was also great as Amos Burke, in Burke's Law, and in the Columbo pilot. Oh, and I must not forget his starring role in the classic sci-fi movie, War of the Worlds. An outstanding actor.