Don 'Red' Barry

Biography

Donald Barry went from the stage to the screen. After four years of playing villains and henchmen at various studios, Barry got the role that changed his image: Red Ryder in the Republic Pictures serial Adventures of Red Ryder (1940). Although he had appeared in westerns for two years or so, this was the one that kept him there. He acquired the nickname "Red" from his association with the Red Ryder character. After the success of "Red Ryder" Barry starred in a string of westerns for Republic. Studio chief Herbert J. Yates got the idea that Barry could be Republic's version of James Cagney, as he was short and had the same scrappy, feisty nature that Cagney had. Unfortunately, while Barry could in fact be a good actor when he wanted to be -- as he showed in the World War II drama The Purple Heart (1944) -- his "feistiness", combative nature and oversized ego caused him to alienate many of the casts and crews he worked with at Republic (ace serial director William Witney detested him, calling him "the midget", and director John English worked with him once and refused to ever work with him again). Barry made a series of westerns at Republic throughout the 1940s, but by 1950 his caree…

Movies & TV Shows

1. Little House on the Prairie (1974) — Larabee
2. Batman (1966) — The Grand Vizier
3. Bonanza (1959) — Bud Claggett
4. The Munsters (1964) — Ted
5. Orca (1977) — Dock Worker
6. The Six Million Dollar Man (1974) — Howie
7. Johnny Got His Gun (1971) — Jody Simmons
8. Ocean's Eleven (1960) — McCoy (uncredited)
9. Rio Lobo (1970) — Feeny - Bartender (uncredited)
10. Only Angels Have Wings (1939) — Tex
11. The Bionic Woman (1976)
12. Charlie's Angels (1976) — Harry Silvers
13. The Swarm (1978) — Pete Harris
14. Warlock (1959) — Edward Calhoun (uncredited)
15. Dead End (1937) — Dr. Flynn, Intern (uncredited)
16. CHiPs (1977) — Truck Driver
17. Hooper (1978) — Sheriff
18. Perry Mason (1957) — Red Doyle
19. Bandolero! (1968) — Jack Hawkins
20. The Rockford Files (1974) — Shorty McCall
21. 7 Men from Now (1956) — Clete
22. Quincy, M.E. (1976) — Charlie Turner
23. Junior Bonner (1972) — Homer Rutledge
24. Gunsmoke (1955) — McIver
25. The Waltons (1972) — Deputy Sheriff
26. Shalako (1968) — Buffalo
27. Kolchak: The Night Stalker (1974) — Tyrell Security Guard
28. The Wild Wild West (1965) — Farnsworth
29. Flying Down to Rio (1933) — Dancer (uncredited)
30. From Noon Till Three (1976) — Red Roxy
31. Walk on the Wild Side (1962) — Dockery
32. Hustle (1975) — Airport Bartender
33. Ironside (1967) — Paul Farrell
34. Boss Nigger (1975)
35. Alvarez Kelly (1966) — Lt. Farrow
36. The Fugitive (1963) — The Checker
37. Mannix (1967) — Mr. Barlow
38. Emergency! (1972) — Dave Grogan
39. The Shakiest Gun in the West (1968) — Rev. Zachary Gant
40. Land of the Giants (1968) — Dr. Zoral

Directed

1. Jesse James' Women (1954) — Director