R.I.P. Barry Dennen

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 9/26/17 at 1:24pm

Veteran actor Barry Dennen has passed away…
https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/JESUS-CHRIST-SUPERSTARs-Barry-Dennen-Passes-Away-at-Age-79-20170926

Dennen had originated the role of the Master of Ceremonies in the original West End production of Cabaret opposite Judi Dench as Sally Bowles. He then went on to originate the role of Pontius Pilate in the original concept album of Jesus Christ Superstar, which he also got to reprise on Broadway and on the big screen.

Among his other film credits, he played Mendel, the Rabbi’s son in the film adaptation of Fiddler on the Roof, as well as having small roles in The Shining, Ragtime, The Dark Crystal, Trading Places, Superman III, and Titanic.

[Cat Guy]

Posted: 9/26/17 at 1:36pm

I'm truly sorry to hear of his passing.  I was fortunate to see the 1968 London production of "Cabaret" when I was stationed onboard a U.S. Navy ship in Scotland.  Recently I bought the cast album.  Just this morning, on my daily run/walk, I played it on my MP3.  A remarkable actor.

 

 

Updated On: 9/26/17 at 01:36 PM

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 9/26/17 at 1:49pm

And of course he arguably is the man who launched Barbra Streisand's career by mentoring, coaching, selecting material and helping to mold all her earliest Cabaret appearances when she was just starting out in NYC. The two had a mercurial relationship over the decades and he wrote an interesting book about their experiences.

Updated On: 9/26/17 at 01:49 PM

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Posted: 9/26/17 at 2:02pm

I had heard recently that he was ill in the hospital; JCS vets and friends put out word for prayers and best wishes on Facebook, and so I knew things weren't great.

On the many occasions on which I met him, he was a dear, sweet man, full of warmth and mischievous humor (and possessed of a great memory for his age; he remembered who I was in 2013 after having met me once ten years previous while on tour with Carl!).

He will be missed.

[bear88]

Posted: 9/26/17 at 3:04pm

I never saw him on stage, but his performance as Pilate in the film version of Jesus Christ Superstar has stuck in my head for decades. I can still hear the beginning, 'Who is this broken man, cluttering up my hallway.' He is both bemused and genuinely disturbed, and that frustrated sense that he's a tool in a much bigger game that he doesn't understand builds to genuine anguish by the end.

It's probably one of my favorite supporting roles in any movie musical. It's just a masterful performance, beginning to end.

Updated On: 9/26/17 at 03:04 PM

[devonian.t]

Posted: 9/26/17 at 3:08pm

Sad news- a very nice guy

 

[Cat Guy]

Posted: 9/26/17 at 3:49pm

This is how I know him, from almost half a century ago.

 

 

[The Other One]

Posted: 9/26/17 at 5:45pm

I love this recoding of "Cabaret" and I always talk it up to people, and he was outstanding in "Jesus Christ, Superstar." I'm very sorry to hear he has passed.