Barry Dennen is a talented American actor, singer, and writer born on February 22, 1938, in Chicago, Illinois. His life took a significant turn when he moved to New York City from 1960 to 1963, where he had a relationship with the renowned singer and actress Barbra Streisand, including living together for a year. During this time, he played a crucial role in helping her develop her nightclub act, which marked the beginning of her successful career.
In 1968, Dennen relocated to London, where he landed the starring role of the master of ceremonies in the London version of the iconic musical Cabaret. His impressive performance continued in 1970, when he played Pontius Pilate on the album of Jesus Christ Superstar, and later reprised the role in the Broadway production and the 1973 film adaptation.
Dennen's versatility as an actor is evident in his extensive filmography, which includes notable roles in Norman Jewison's film of Fiddler on the Roof (1971) and the 1973 film of Jesus Christ Superstar, as well as appearances in Batman, Superman III, The Kentucky Fried Movie, The Shining, Galtar and the Golden Lance, Tales from the Darkside, and Titanic.
In addition to his on-screen work, Dennen has lent his voice to various cartoons, including DuckTales, Batman: The Animated Series, The Pirates of Dark Water, Animaniacs, and Avatar: The Last Airbender. He has also contributed voices to numerous video games, such as Fatman in Metal Gear Solid 2, Police Chief Bogen in Grim Fandango, Mimir in Too Human, Dean Domino in Fallout: New Vegas's "Dead Money" expansion, and the Dark One in The Mark of Kri.
As a writer, Dennen penned the screenplay for the episode "The Secret Cinema" of Amazing Stories (1985) and co-wrote the episode "Demonella" of The Comic Strip Presents... (1993). His autobiographical book, My Life With Barbra: A Love Story (1997),offers a poignant account of his relationship with Barbra Streisand and his gradual realization of his homosexuality.
