Barry Dennen

Barry Dennen

Born:February 22, 1938

Place of Birth:Chicago, Illinois, USA

Died:September 26, 2017

Known For:Acting

Biography

Barry Dennen, born on February 22, 1938, is a multi-talented American actor, singer, and writer. Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Dennen's career spans across various mediums, showcasing his versatility and passion for the arts.

In the early 1960s, Dennen made a significant impact on Barbra Streisand's career during their time together in New York City. Living together for a year, he played a pivotal role in helping Streisand shape her iconic nightclub act, which ultimately propelled her to stardom as a singer and actress.

Dennen's talent took him to London for fifteen years, where he landed the starring role of the master of ceremonies in the London production of Cabaret. His portrayal of Pontius Pilate in the album and Broadway production of Jesus Christ Superstar further solidified his reputation as a skilled performer with a commanding stage presence.

Beyond the stage, Dennen's voice acting work added another dimension to his career. From voicing the Chamberlain SkekSil in The Dark Crystal to lending his voice to popular cartoons like DuckTales and Batman: The Animated Series, his vocal talents brought characters to life in beloved animated productions.

Throughout his career, Dennen appeared in a variety of American television shows and films, showcasing his range as an actor. His roles in iconic projects such as The Shining, Batman, and Superman III cemented his status as a versatile performer capable of tackling diverse characters with depth and nuance.

In addition to his on-screen work, Dennen's writing talents shone through in projects like the screenplay for an episode of Amazing Stories titled "The Secret Cinema" and his autobiographical book, "My Life With Barbra: A Love Story" (1997), where he candidly shared insights into his relationship with Streisand and his personal journey.

Dennen's contributions to the entertainment industry extended to video games, where his voice brought memorable characters to life in games like Metal Gear Solid 2 and Fallout: New Vegas expansion "Dead Money." His ability to infuse characters with personality and depth transcended mediums, captivating audiences across different platforms.

With a career marked by diverse roles and creative collaborations, Barry Dennen's legacy as an actor, singer, and writer continues to inspire and resonate with audiences worldwide. His dedication to his craft and willingness to explore various artistic avenues have left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry, solidifying his place as a respected and versatile talent.

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Barry Dennen

Filmography

Acting

Titanic

Titanic

Praying Man

1997

101-year-old Rose DeWitt Bukater tells the story of her life aboard the Titanic, 84 years later. A young Rose boards the ship with her mother and fiancé. Meanwhile, Jack Dawson and Fabrizio De Rossi win third-class tickets aboard the ship. Rose tells the whole story from Titanic's departure through to its death—on its first and last voyage—on April 15, 1912.
The Shining

The Shining

Watson

1980

Jack Torrance accepts a caretaker job at the Overlook Hotel, where he, along with his wife Wendy and their son Danny, must live isolated from the rest of the world for the winter. But they aren't prepared for the madness that lurks within.
Trading Places

Trading Places

Demitri

1983

A snobbish investor and a wily street con-artist find their positions reversed as part of a bet by two callous millionaires.
The Dark Crystal

The Dark Crystal

Chamberlain / Podling (voice)

1982

On another planet in the distant past, a Gelfling embarks on a quest to find the missing shard of a magical crystal and restore order to his world, before the grotesque race of Skeksis find and use the crystal for evil.
Fiddler on the Roof

Fiddler on the Roof

Mendel

1971

In a pre-revolutionary Russia, a poor Jewish milkman struggles with the challenges of a changing world as his daughters fall in love and antisemitism grows.
Superman III

Superman III

Dr. McClean

1983

Aiming to defeat the Man of Steel, wealthy executive Ross Webster hires bumbling but brilliant Gus Gorman to develop synthetic kryptonite, which yields some unexpected psychological effects. Between rekindling romance with his high school sweetheart and saving himself, Superman must contend with a powerful supercomputer.
Justice League: Throne of Atlantis

Justice League: Throne of Atlantis

Defense Advisor (voice)

2015

After the events of Justice League: War, Ocean Master and Black Manta have declared a war against the surface in retaliation of the aftermath of Apokoliptian-tyrant Darkseid's planetary invasion. Queen Atlanna seeks out her other son, Ocean Master’s half-brother Arthur Curry, a half-human with aquatic powers with no knowledge of his Atlantean heritage, to restore balance. Living with powers he doesn’t understand and seeing the danger around him, Curry takes steps to embrace his destiny, joining the Justice League, and with his new teammates he battles to save Earth from total destruction.
Jesus Christ Superstar

Jesus Christ Superstar

Pontius Pilate

1973

As played out by a theatre troupe, the last days of Jesus Christ are depicted from the perspective of Judas Iscariot, his betrayer. As Jesus' following increases, Judas begins to worry that Jesus is falling for his own hype, forgetting the principles of his teachings and growing too close to the prostitute Mary Magdalene.
Ragtime

Ragtime

Stage Manager

1981

A young black pianist becomes embroiled in the lives of an upper-class white family set among the racial tensions, infidelity, violence, and other nostalgic events in early 1900s New York City.
Clifford

Clifford

Terry the Pterodactyl

1994

When his brother asks him to look after his young son, Clifford, Martin Daniels agrees, taking the boy into his home and introducing him to his future wife, Sarah. Clifford is fixated on the idea of visiting a famed theme park, and Martin, an engineer who helped build the park, makes plans to take him. But, when Clifford reveals himself to be a first-rate brat, his uncle goes bonkers, and a loony inter-generational standoff ensues.

Production