An avid political activist, he was among the many campaign supporters with Senator Robert F. Kennedy at the Ambassador Hotel in L.A. when the politician was assassinated.
Changed his name to Gene Barry in honor of his idol, John Barrymore.
Father of director Michael Barry and Frederick Barry.
Formed Barry Films in the early 1970s when his son Michael Barry served as writer/director of the feature The Second Coming of Suzanne (1974) in which Gene appeared.
Has also played Carnegie Hall.
He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Live Theatre at 6555 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.
Met his wife, Betty Barry (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.
Nominated for the 1984 Tony Award (New York City) for Actor in a Musical for "La Cage Aux Folles".
Sons Michael Barry and Frederick Barry were born in 1946 and 1953, respectively. They adopted a daughter Elizabeth Barry (Liza) in 1967.