Barry Sullivan (American actor)

Barry Sullivan
Barry Sullivan in Harbormaster (1957)
Born Patrick Barry Sullivan
(1912-08-29)August 29, 1912
New York City, New York, U.S.
Died June 6, 1994(1994-06-06) (aged 81)
Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation Actor
Years active 1936–87
Spouse(s) Marie Brown (1937–57; divorced)
Gita Hall (1958–61; divorced)
Desiree Sumarra (1962–65)
Children 3

Patrick Barry Sullivan (August 29, 1912 – June 6, 1994)[1] was an American movie actor who appeared in over 100 movies from the 1930s to the 1980s, notably The Bad and the Beautiful opposite Kirk Douglas.

David Shipman wrote of Sullivan:

Barry Sullivan redefined the term "leading man", being neither a genuine star, although billed above the title, nor a character actor, since he was seldom called upon to play anyone but himself - nice and reliable, the old standby. There were many others of his generation competing for the same roles - Wendell Corey, with his somewhat charming gloom, the cynical but easygoing Van Heflin, the acquiescent but dangerous Robert Ryan. Many cinemagoers found the Sullivans and Ryans more rewarding than the bona fide box-office champs but, like them, they could be counted upon when it came to facing up to the great ladies of the screen.[2]

Another obituary said "Second division Hollywood actors like Barry Sullivan... are usually faintly praised for being reliable or solid. However, when given the chance, Sullivan was a powerful, often baleful presence on screen, providing more pleasure than many more touted stars. "[3]

Biography

Early years

Born in New York City, Sullivan was a law student at New York University and Temple University.[4] He fell into acting when in college playing semi-pro football. He was later a department store byer.[5]

During the later Depression years, Sullivan was told that because of his 6 ft 3 in (1.9 m) stature and rugged good looks he could "make money" simply standing on a Broadway stage. This began a successful career on Broadway, movies and television.

Stage

Sullivan's first appearance on Broadway was in I Want a Policeman in 1936. [6][7] That year he was also in R.C. Sheriff's St Helena.[8]

Sullivan appeared in some shorts such as Strike! You're Out (1936), Broker's Follies (1937), Dime a Dance (1937) (alongside Imogene Coca, June Allyson and Danny Kaye), Dates and Nuts (1937), and Hi-Ho Hollywood (1937).

He returned to Broadway with roles in All That Glitters (1938) and Eye on the Sparrow (1938) (with a young Montgomery Clift). He received attention when he joined the cast of the long running The Man Who Came to Dinner (1939) as Jefferson. He was also in Mr Big (1941), Ring Around Elizabeth (1941) and Johnny 2 X 4 (1942).

Hollywood

Sullivan had a small role in the Universal serial The Green Hornet Strikes Again! (1941).

Sullivan had a support part in High Explosive (1943) for Pine-Thomas Productions, who released through Paramount, and he was the second male lead in The Woman of the Town (1943) with Claire Trevor.[9]

Paramount

He was signed to a long term contract by Paramount, who gave him a good support role in an "A" film, the musical Lady in the Dark (1944) with Ginger Rogers. He supported Dorothy Lamour in Rainbow Island (1944) and Alan Ladd and Loretta Young in And Now Tomorrow (1944), and was one of many Paramount names in Duffy's Tavern (1945).[10]

Sullivan was borrowed by Edward Small to support Dennis O'Keefe in a comedy, Getting Gertie's Garter (1945). [11]

Monogram

Then he went over to Monogram Pictures for Suspense (1946), the most expensive film that studio had made to date, produced by the King Brothers; Sullivan was second billed to Belita. Monogram were delighted with his work; Sullivan obtained a release from his Paramount contract and signed a three picture deal with Monogram.[12]

Sullivan went to Columbia to support Glenn Ford in Framed (1947), then was reunited with the King Brothers and Belita for The Gangster (1948).

Sullivan supported Brian Aherne and Constance Bennett in Smart Woman (1948) for Bennett's company, releasing through Monogram (as Allied Artists). He received top billing for a Western from the King Brothers and Monogram, Bad Men of Tombstone (1949).

MGM

Sullivan went to MGM to support Clark Gable and Alexis Smith in Any Number Can Play (1949). He returned to Paramount to play Nick Carraway to Alan Ladd's The Great Gatsby (1949).

MGM signed him to a long term contract. He played support parts in Tension (1949), The Outriders (1950), Nancy Goes to Rio (1950), A Life of Her Own (1950), and Grounds for Marriage (1951). He was upped to leading man for Cause for Alarm! (1951) with Young and Payment on Demand (1951) with Bette Davis at RKO but was back down the cast list for Three Guys Named Mike (1951), Mr. Imperium (1951), and Inside Straight (1951).

MGM gave him top billing in No Questions Asked (1951), a role originally meant for Gable.[13] He was also in The Unknown Man (1951), Skirts Ahoy! (1952), The Bad and the Beautiful (1952), Jeopardy (1953), Cry of the Hunted (1953), and A Slight Case of Larceny (1953).[14]

His first film outside MGM for a number of years was China Venture (1953) at Columbia. He stared guest starring on shows like Chevron Theatre, Lux Video Theatre and The Ford Television Theatre .

Sullivan replaced Vincent Price in the role of Leslie Charteris' Simon Templar on the NBC Radio show The Saint.[15] Sullivan lasted only two episodes before the show was cancelled.[16]

In the 1953-1954 television season, Sullivan appeared with other celebrities as a musical judge on Jukebox Jury.[17]

Leading Man

Sullivan played the lead in a series of lower budgeted film noirs: Loophole (1954) for Allied Artists, Playgirl (1954) at Universal, and The Miami Story (1954) for Sam Katzman. He went back to MGM for a support role in Her Twelve Men (1954).

In June 1954 he returned to Broadway to replace Henry Fonda in The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial.[18] He went to Paramount to support James Stewart in Strategic Air Command (1955) and guested on shows like General Electric Theater, Studio One in Hollywood, Climax! and Ford Star Jubilee (reprising his Caine Mutiny performance).

Sullivan was leading man to Joan Crawford in Queen Bee (1955), Claudette Colbert in Texas Lady (1955), Barbara Stanwyck in The Maverick Queen (1956) and Doris Day in Julie (1956).[19]

In 1956 he was in Too Late the Phalarope on Broadway which had a short run.[20]

The Man Called X

Sullivan's first starring television role was a syndicated adaptation of the radio series The Man Called X for Ziv Television in 1956-1957 as secret agent Ken Thurston, the role Herbert Marshall originally portrayed before the microphone.

He had the lead in a low budget Western Dragoon Wells Massacre (1957), and good roles in some studio films, The Way to the Gold (1957) and Sam Fuller's Forty Guns (1957) with Stanwyck.

Harbourmaster

In the 1957-1958 season, Sullivan starred in the adventure/drama television series Harbormaster. He played a commercial ship's captain, David Scott, and Paul Burke played his partner Jeff Kittridge in five episodes of the series, which aired first on CBS and then ABC under the revised title Adventure at Scott Island. He directed some episodes as well as episodes of Highway Patrol, which was made by Ziv, who did Harbourmaster.[21]

Sullivan was Lana Turner's leading man in Another Time, Another Place (1958) and played star roles in some films for Allied Artists, Wolf Larsen (1958), an adaptation of The Sea Wolf where Sullivan played the title role, and The Purple Gang (1959), a gangster film.[22]

Sullivan continued to make guest appearances on shows like Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Pursuit, Playhouse 90, The DuPont Show with June Allyson, The United States Steel Hour and Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse, and he was in a TV adaptation of My Three Angels.

Sullivan appeared again with Bette Davis on stage in 1960. Davis and her husband Gary Merrill were touring the US in a theatrical staging of selected prose and poetry of Carl Sandburg, but their marriage was failing, and Sullivan substituted for Merrill.

The Tall Man

In 1960, Sullivan played frontier sheriff Pat Garrett opposite Clu Gulager as outlaw Billy the Kid in the television series The Tall Man (although the series ran for 75 half-hour episodes, the one in which Garrett kills Billy was never filmed). In the same year Sullivan had one of his best roles, albeit in a B-Western, as the charming villain in Seven Ways from Sundown (1960) with Audie Murphy.

Sullivan had a good role as Olivia de Havilland's ex in Light in the Piazza (1962), and as Rock Hudson's superior in A Gathering of Eagles (1963).

He guest starred on shows like The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, The Dick Powell Theatre, Route 66, Sam Benedict, Arrest and Trial, The Great Adventure, Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre, The Virginian, Ben Casey, Slattery's People, Kraft Suspense Theatre and The Reporter, and was in a pilot for a TV series based on Grand Hotel.

Sullivan had the leads in Pyro... The Thing Without a Face (1964), a horror film shot in Spain for producer Sidney W. Pink, and in a Western Stage to Thunder Rock (1964) for producer A. C. Lyles. He supported Robert Mitchum in Man in the Middle (1964).

In 1965 he appeared in a pinch-hit role for Raymond Burr as Attorney Ken Kramer in the Perry Mason episode[23] "The Case of the Thermal Thief". He guest starred on Run for Your Life, Twelve O'Clock High (as Lt. Gen Max Gallagher, father of Colonel Joe Gallagher), The Long, Hot Summer , and The Loner.

Sullivan had support roles in My Blood Runs Cold (1965) and Harlow (1965) and the lead in Mario Bava's Planet of the Vampires (1965). He could be seen in The Poppy Is Also a Flower (1966), Intimacy (1966), and See You in Hell, Darling (1967) aka An American Dream. In 1966 a profile called him "Hollywood's most durable leading man" which Sullivan put down to "dumb Irish luck".[24]

The Road West

Sullivan starred in the television series The Road West, which aired on NBC on Monday, alternating with Perry Como), during the 1966-1967 season. He played the role of family patriarch Ben Pride.

He guest starred on Mission: Impossible, Bonanza, Garrison's Gorillas, The Man from U.N.C.L.E. and It Takes a Thief.

He was in a TV version of Johnny Belinda (1967) with Mia Farrow and had the lead in a Western for AC Lyles, Buckskin (1967).

Sullivan did some TV movies like CBS Playhouse ("The Experiment") (1969), This Town Will Never Be the Same (1969) and This Savage Land (1969) and made It Takes All Kinds (1969) in Australia. He was in Shark! (1969) for Sam Fuller, and Tell Them Willie Boy Is Here (1969) and was in the pilot of Night Gallery (1969), in the segment starring Joan Crawford directed by Steven Spielberg.[25]

1970s

Sullivan was busy throughout the 1970s, guest staring on shows like Bracken's World, The High Chaparral, The Immortal, Dan August, The Name of the Game (in "LA2017" directed by Steven Spielberg), Medical Center, Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law, McCloud, Longstreet, Marcus Welby, M.D, Mannix, Hawaii Five-O, Night Gallery (again), Cool Million, and The Sixth Sense.

According to one obituary, during this time "he invariably played diplomats, politicians or senior officers - always with discretion and candour, but often with too little screen time to make his presence felt. "[2]

He was in TV movies like House on Greenapple Road (1970), Yuma (1971), Canon (1971) (the pilot), Kung Fu (1972) (the pilot), The Magician (1973) (pilot), Letters from Three Lovers (1973) and Savage (1973) (pilot which did not go to series) directed by Spielberg. He had a cameo in The Candidate (1972).

He starred in many Hallmark Hall of Fame specials including a highly acclaimed production of The Price with George C. Scott in 1971 and a TV version of Another Part of the Forest (1972).

Sullivan appeared in Sam Peckinpah's Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid (1973) as John Chisum, but his scene was excised from the release print (though later restored to the film). He had a small role in Earthquake (1974), Take a Hard Ride (1975), The 'Human' Factor (1975), and Collision Course: Truman vs. MacArthur (1976).

Sullivan was in Hurricane (1974), Harry O, Ironside, McMillan & Wife, Lucas Tanner, Movin' On, The Invisible Man, Cannon again, Barnaby Jones, The Bionic Woman, The Streets of San Franscico, Police Story,

He was in Violent Naples (1976), Rich Man, Poor Man Book II (1976), Once an Eagle (1976), Survival (1976), Grand Jury (1976), Quincy M.E., No Room to Run (1977), Oh, God! (1977), The Washington Affair (1977), The Bastard (1978), French Quarter (1978), Fantasy Island, Caravans (1978), The Immigrants (1978), Lucan, Backstairs at the White House, The Runaways , Charlie's Angels, The Love Boat, Little House on the Prairie, and Vega$.

1980s

In the 1980s Sullivan was in Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color ("The Secret of Lost Valley") (1980), Casino (1980),and Judgment Day (1981).

His last film was The Last Straw (1987).

Sullivan has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame: one at 1500 Vine St. for his work in television, and another at 6160 Hollywood Blvd. for motion pictures.

Children

His daughter Jenny Sullivan wrote the play J for J (Journals for John) after she found a packet of unsent letters (in 1995) written by Barry decades earlier to her older brother Johnny, who was mentally disabled. The play premiered on October 20, 2001. John Ritter, who in real life had a handicapped brother, played Johnny, Jenny played herself, and actor Jeff Kober portrayed Sullivan. Before Jenny became a theatrical director, she was in demand as an actress. His youngest child Patricia was put under contract to Yardley Cosmetics as its model and spokesperson at age 12 and appeared in dozens of ads and on the covers of many magazines. Patricia, known professionally as Patsy, married songwriter Jimmy Webb and has six children with him, five sons and one daughter. Their three elder sons went on to success as the rock group The Webb Brothers. Additionally, Patricia adopted a daughter giving Barry Sullivan seven grandchildren.

Personal life

Sullivan was a Democratic Party activist and an advocate for the mentally disabled. He had three children. Sullivan was married and divorced three times.

Marie Brown (married 1937 divorced 1957), a Broadway actress, was mother to both Jenny and John Sullivan.[26][27]

On June 25, 1959, he was divorced by Gita Hall, model and actress,[28] the mother of his daughter Patricia Christina Birgitta [29] who gave him six grandchildren via her marriage to composer-musician Jimmy Webb. However, the couple reconciled in 1961 before the divorce became final.[30]

His third marriage to Desiree Sumarra produced no children and ended in 1965.[31]

Death

Sullivan died of throat cancer on June 6, 1994 in Sherman Oaks, California.[6]

Partial filmography

Radio appearances

YearProgramEpisode/source
1946Lux Radio TheatreConey Island[32]
1952Hollywood Star PlayhouseDeath Is a Right Hook[33]
1953Hollywood Star PlayhouseThe Soil[34]
1953Stars over HollywoodDry Spell[35]

References

  1. ↑ "Obituary: Barry Sullivan". The Independent. June 11, 1994. Retrieved 21 May 2015.
  2. 1 2 Obituary: Barry Sullivan: [3 Edition] Shipman, David. The Independent11 June 1994.
  3. ↑ Personal: Highlighting the dark side Obituary: Barry Sullivan Bergan, Ronald. The Guardian 10 June 1994.
  4. ↑ "Barry Sullivan: Outspoken Star". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. October 30, 1960. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
  5. ↑ Actor Barry Sullivan dies: [FINAL Edition] Pantagraph; Bloomington, Ill. [Bloomington, Ill]08 June 1994: B5.
  6. 1 2 "Barry Sullivan". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 21 May 2015.
  7. ↑ https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/i-want-a-policeman-12058
  8. ↑ https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/st-helena-11204
  9. ↑ SCREEN NEWS HERE AND IN HOLLYWOOD New York Times7 Dec 1942: 23.
  10. ↑ DRAMA AND FILM: Sandburg Will Write Epic Story for Metro Paramount Building Up Barry Sullivan With Lead Opposite Dorothy Lamour Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 18 Sep 1943: A7.
  11. ↑ SCREEN NEWS: Barry Sullivan Chosen for 'Gertie's Garter' Of Local Origin Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES.. New York Times 15 Mar 1945: 26.
  12. ↑ MONOGRAM SIGNS BARRY SULLIVAN: Former Paramount Actor to Be Starred in Three Pictures-- 4 Films Due This Week Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES.. New York Times 25 Mar 1946: 29.
  13. ↑ Barry Sullivan Wins Metro Starring Role Hopper, Hedda. Los Angeles Times 21 Sep 1950: B12.
  14. ↑ Pianist Role Promises Stardom for Sullivan; Miss Anderson in 'Salome' Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 6 June 1952: B9.
  15. ↑ Buxton, Frank and Owen, Bill (1972). The Big Broadcast: 1920–1950. The Viking Press. ISBN 978-0-670-16240-6. P. 206.
  16. ↑ The show was resurrected five weeks later with Vincent Price once again playing the starring role.
  17. ↑ Billy Ingram. "Oddball Game Shows of the '50s". TVParty.com. Retrieved March 17, 2011.
  18. ↑ Drama: Barry Sullivan Fortune Hunter' Luminary; Lita Milan Heralded as Find Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 28 Apr 1954: B9.
  19. ↑ Barry Sullivan Joining Independents; 'Madame Butterfly' Programmed Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 8 Sep 1955: a9.
  20. ↑ HAPPY SURPRISE ON N.Y. STAGE: Barry Sullivan Lends Rare Distinction to 'Phalarope' Barry Sullivan Happy Surprise in 'Phalarope' Kerr, Walter F. Los Angeles Times 28 Oct 1956: E2.
  21. ↑ Barry Sullivan to Do 'Harbourmaster' Film; 'Buccaneer' Launched Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 1 Oct 1957: C9.
  22. ↑ Barry Sullivan In 'Wolf Larsen' AT Twin Houses N.E.T.. The Christian Science Monitor 6 Nov 1958: 7.
  23. ↑ "Barry Sullivan Subs on Perry Mason Show Jan. 14". Ocala Star-Banner. January 1, 1965. p. 10. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
  24. ↑ Actor Barry Sullivan Survives Myriad Film Style Changes Thomas, Kevin. Los Angeles Times 14 May 1966: 23.
  25. ↑ Barry Sullivan; Versatile TV, Movie Actor Los Angeles Times 7 June 1994: EVA19.
  26. ↑ "Barry Sullivan's Wife Gets Divorce After Desertion". Toledo Blade. June 26, 1957. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
  27. ↑ Actor Barry Sullivan Sued for Divorce Los Angeles Times 24 May 1957: 2.
  28. ↑ "Wife Divorces Barry Sullivan". The Daily Mail. June 26, 1959. p. 3. Retrieved May 21, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  29. ↑ "Gita Hall Wins Divorce From Husband Sullivan". Arizona Republic. April 11, 1961. p. 49. Retrieved May 21, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  30. ↑ "Gita Hall, Barry Sullivan Are Reconciled". The High Point Enterprise. January 11, 1961. p. 14. Retrieved May 21, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  31. ↑ Actress Divorces Barry Sullivan Los Angeles Times 19 Jan 1965: B14.
  32. ↑ "Lux Star". Harrisburg Telegraph. September 28, 1946. p. 19. Retrieved October 5, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  33. ↑ Kirby, Walter (March 23, 1952). "Better Radio Programs for the Week". The Decatur Daily Review. p. 44. Retrieved May 21, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  34. ↑ Kirby, Walter (January 11, 1953). "Better Radio Programs for the Week". The Decatur Daily Review. p. 42. Retrieved June 19, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  35. ↑ Kirby, Walter (June 7, 1953). "Better Radio Programs for the Week". The Decatur Daily Review. p. 50. Retrieved July 1, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
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