By Ranjan Bhaduri
Dec.11, (THAINDIAN NEWS) Veteran actor Gene Barry, who wowed the viewers of small screen and celluloid over a career spanning five decades passed away recently at the age of 90. He was popular among the TV viewers for his depiction of quintessential gentleman in series like “Burke’s Law”, “The Name of the Game” and “Bat Masterson”. He was at a Woodland Hills rest home when he died. The cause of his death still remains to be known. He also acted in several sci-fi flicks and regular commercial movies.

Apart from displaying his skill in donning the hats of lawmen, Barry also proved his versatility by playing a gay character in a Broadway musical named La Cage Aux Folles. At that time depicting a gay lover on screen was not easy for a well known actor but Barry did the role with much aplomb. Berry said that he tried to depict the love of a man for another without concentrating on the homosexual part.

He was highly enthusiastic and even in his 70s continued working. His stint with Hollywood started in 1951. It was a George Pal’s production named War of the Worlds that brought him instant popularity and critical acclaim. This sci-fi flick based on a famous H.G. wells novel was a hit and Barry did not have to look back after it. In fact he shared screen space with many of the well known actors of Hollywood including the likes of Tom Cruise, Susan Hayward and Clark Gable. His wife died 6 years back. Barry is survived by two sons and a daughter.