Gene Barry Biography

Fast Facts

• His performance in the Broadway musical "La Cage aux Folles" earned him a Tony nomination
• Won a Critic's Circle Award for his leading role in an Equity Library production of "Idiot's Delight․"
• After performing in bistros around Manhattan, he made his Broadway debut in "Pins and Needles․"
• While studying in New York, he started singing on the WHN radio station
• Won a singing contest during high school that offered him a scholarship to the Chatham Square School of Music
• Quote: "[on "Bat Masterson"] "I went to wardrobe and found that hat and cane and an elegant swallowtail coat and shiny black boots․ I looked at myself in the mirror, and I knew exactly how to play this man․""
• Quote: "[on "La Cage Aux Folles] "I'm not playing a homosexual--I'm playing a person who cares deeply about another person․""
• His best known film role was as scientist Dr․ Clayton Forrester in the classic film "War of the Words," and he also made a small appearance in the Steven Spielberg remake as the ex-father-in-law of the main character
• Played dapper, debonair lead characters on several television series
• Almost turned down his famous title role in "Bat Masterson" until he learned that the character would wear a derby and carry a gold-headed cane