• Father of director Michael Barry.
• An avid political activist, he was among the many campaign supporters with Robert F. Kennedy at the Ambassador Hotel in L.A. when the politician was assassinated.
• Met his wife Betty (her stage name was Julie Carson) during rehearsals of the 1944 Broadway show "Catherine Was Great." Betty was fired before opening night because she was a blonde and Mae West, the star, would not have competing blondes in her show. Betty had disguised her hair color with a dark black wig. Gene and Betty married later that year and lived a long happy life together until her death in 2003.
• Sons Michael Lewis Barry and Frederick James Barry were born in 1946 and 1953, respectively. They adopted daughter Elizabeth (Liza) in 1967.
• Changed his name to Gene Barry in honor of his idol, John Barrymore.
• Was nominated for Broadway's 1984 Tony Award as Best Actor (Musical) for "La Cage aux Folles."
• Is also an ordained Orthodox rabbi.

Gene Barry is an American actor. Born Eugene Klass to a Jewish family in New York City, New York, he exhibited early skills with his singing and violin playing. He appeared on Broadway in Catherine was Great in 1944. He adopted his professional name in honor of John Barrymore.

An early film role was in the 1953 production of The War of the Worlds. He performs a cameo role in Steven Spielberg's 2005 War of the Worlds.

Known for his suave manner, Barry starred on television in Our Miss Brooks, Bat Masterson, The Name of the Game and Burke's Law. He won the 1965 Golden Globe for Burke's Law.

Barry has appeared in a number of films, television programs, and stage shows. His wife of 60 years, Betty Clair Kalb, died in 2003. He has two sons, Michael and Frederick, and a daughter, Elizabeth.

For his contribution to live theater, Gene Barry has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6555 Hollywood Blvd.