Leslie Barrett
Encyclopedia
Leslie Barrett was an American stage and film actor
.
, New York City
on October 30, 1919. His parents were Cecil and Theresa Klein (née Leonhardt). He attended George Washington High School
. He changed his name to Leslie Barrett in 1937. He had two marriages: the first to Diana Newman Barth, which ended in divorce, and the second to Ruth Livingston.
upon succeeding Billy Halop
in a production of Dead End at the Belasco Theatre
. Barrett appeared in numerous original Broadway productions throughout his career, including The Primrose Path
in 1939, Rhinoceros
in 1961, and The Dresser
in 1981. In 1952, Leslie Barrett and Paul Curtis formed the American Mime Theatre
. Barrett was also an accomplished Shakespearean actor. He joined the Shakespeare Theatre Workshop under the direction of Joseph Papp
in April 1955. He appeared in Much Ado About Nothing
and As You Like It
at the Westport Country Playhouse
later that year and The Taming of the Shrew
at the Walnut Street Theatre
in 1974.
Barrett appeared on television as early as 1949. He appeared in 4 episodes of The Philco Television Playhouse
from 1949 through 1953. In 1960 he performed in an episode of The Twilight Zone
. He also played Judge Hanley on the cult classic
soap opera Dark Shadows
.
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
.
Biography
Leslie Klein was born on Staten IslandStaten Island
Staten Island is a borough of New York City, New York, United States, located in the southwest part of the city. Staten Island is separated from New Jersey by the Arthur Kill and the Kill Van Kull, and from the rest of New York by New York Bay...
, New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
on October 30, 1919. His parents were Cecil and Theresa Klein (née Leonhardt). He attended George Washington High School
George Washington High School (New York City)
George Washington High School is a public high school located in the Fort George neighborhood of the Washington Heights section of Manhattan in New York City, New York....
. He changed his name to Leslie Barrett in 1937. He had two marriages: the first to Diana Newman Barth, which ended in divorce, and the second to Ruth Livingston.
Career
Barrett made his professional acting debut on January 12, 1937, under the name Leslie Klein at what was then known as the Guild Theatre. He first performed under his stage nameStage name
A stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, wrestlers, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...
upon succeeding Billy Halop
Billy Halop
William "Billy" Halop was an American actor born in New York City.He came from a Jewish theatrical family: his mother was a dancer, and his sister Florence Halop was a child actress, who later worked on radio and in television...
in a production of Dead End at the Belasco Theatre
Belasco Theatre
The Belasco Theatre is a legitimate Broadway theatre located at 111 West 44th Street in midtown-Manhattan.-History:Designed by architect George Keister for impresario David Belasco, the interior featured Tiffany lighting and ceiling panels, rich woodwork and expansive murals by American artist...
. Barrett appeared in numerous original Broadway productions throughout his career, including The Primrose Path
The Primrose Path
The Primrose Path is an 1875 novel by Bram Stoker. It was the writer's first novel, published 22 years before Dracula and serialized in five installments in The Shamrock, a weekly Irish magazine, from February 6, 1875 to March 6, 1875....
in 1939, Rhinoceros
Rhinoceros (play)
Rhinoceros is a play by Eugène Ionesco, written in 1959. The play belongs to the school of drama known as the Theatre of the Absurd...
in 1961, and The Dresser
The Dresser
The Dresser is a 1983 film which tells the story of an aging actor's personal assistant, who struggles to keep his charge's life together. It is based on a screenplay by Ronald Harwood, in turn based on his successful 1980 West End and Broadway play of the same name.The film was directed by Peter...
in 1981. In 1952, Leslie Barrett and Paul Curtis formed the American Mime Theatre
American Mime Theatre
The American Mime Theatre is a professional performing company and training school founded in 1952. It is the oldest professional mime company in the USA. The theatre runs under the direction of founder Paul J. Curtis....
. Barrett was also an accomplished Shakespearean actor. He joined the Shakespeare Theatre Workshop under the direction of Joseph Papp
Joseph Papp
Joseph Papp was an American theatrical producer and director. Papp established The Public Theater in what had been the Astor Library Building in downtown New York . "The Public," as it is known, has many small theatres within it...
in April 1955. He appeared in Much Ado About Nothing
Much Ado About Nothing
Much Ado About Nothing is a comedy written by William Shakespeare about two pairs of lovers, Benedick and Beatrice, and Claudio and Hero....
and As You Like It
As You Like It
As You Like It is a pastoral comedy by William Shakespeare believed to have been written in 1599 or early 1600 and first published in the folio of 1623. The play's first performance is uncertain, though a performance at Wilton House in 1603 has been suggested as a possibility...
at the Westport Country Playhouse
Westport Country Playhouse
Westport Country Playhouse, is a not-for-profit theater in Westport, Connecticut. Under the artistic direction of Mark Lamos the Playhouse produces new and classic plays for the public....
later that year and The Taming of the Shrew
The Taming of the Shrew
The Taming of the Shrew is a comedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1590 and 1591.The play begins with a framing device, often referred to as the Induction, in which a mischievous nobleman tricks a drunken tinker named Sly into believing he is actually a nobleman himself...
at the Walnut Street Theatre
Walnut Street Theatre
The Walnut Street Theatre , located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at 825 Walnut Street, is the oldest continuously operating theatre in the English-speaking world and the oldest in the United States...
in 1974.
Barrett appeared on television as early as 1949. He appeared in 4 episodes of The Philco Television Playhouse
The Philco Television Playhouse
The Philco Television Playhouse, a live television anthology series sponsored by Philco, was telecast from 1948 to 1955. Produced by Fred Coe, the NBC series was seen on Sundays from 9:00pm to 10:00pm...
from 1949 through 1953. In 1960 he performed in an episode of The Twilight Zone
The Twilight Zone
The Twilight Zone is an American television anthology series created by Rod Serling. Each episode is a mixture of self-contained drama, psychological thriller, fantasy, science fiction, suspense, or horror, often concluding with a macabre or unexpected twist...
. He also played Judge Hanley on the cult classic
Cult Classic
Cult Classic is a Blue Öyster Cult studio recording released in 1994, containing remakes of many of the band's previous hits.-Track listing:# " The Reaper" - 5:05# "E.T.I...
soap opera Dark Shadows
Dark Shadows
Dark Shadows is a gothic soap opera that originally aired weekdays on the ABC television network, from June 27, 1966 to April 2, 1971. The show was created by Dan Curtis. The story bible, which was written by Art Wallace, does not mention any supernatural elements...
.