Facts About Gene Barry

He had a couple of big time TV series.

Ann Robinson and Gene BarryPhoto byCreative Commons: monstersforsale

I remember Gene Barry from a couple of TV series, Burke’s Law and Bat Masterson. Neither was a favorite of mine. His Amos Burke character was a rich cop, and Bat Masterson was a little bit of a dandy, but if I took another look at the show, I might be a little less harsh.

In addition to those two TV series, I know Barry had a long acting career, I just didn’t know much about it. Also, I didn’t know much about his background. So, after perusing some information, here are some things you probably didn’t know about Gene Barry.

1: Gene’s birth name was Eugene Klass.

It stands to reason he would go on to play dapper guys. He started with Klass.

2: Gene chose the last name Barry to honor John Barrymore.

Of course, in this case Barry was less.

3: Barry was the first murderer busted by Columbo.

I’m sure Amos Burke would have been appalled by Columbo’s wardrobe.

4: Barry also won a prize on Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts.

I assume the format was something like, America has Talent without the histrionics.

5: He was in both the 1953 War of the Worlds, and the 2005 War of the Worlds.

Apparently, the invaders wanted a rematch.

6: Barry was one of three leads in another TV series, The Name of the Game.

He played Glenn Howard, the publisher of a group of magazines including one named People. I believe this was back during the time when magazines hired reporters, not paparazzi.

7: Late in his career, he made appearance on The Love Boat and Fantasy Island.

I believe that was what was known as the actor’s Senior Circuit

8: He played a PE teacher and Eve Arden’s love interest on “Our Miss Brooks.”

He was an unusual PE teacher in that he was driven to school in a limousine and taught PE in a suit. Hold on, being told that was his Burk’s Law schtick.

9: Barry appeared in the CBS anthology series, “Appointment with Adventure” in 1955.

I recently had an appointment with adventure, but canceled because I had a doctor’s appointment.

10: Barry was also an ordained rabbi.

Maybe that’s why he never worked with Mel Gibson. Or not.