Barry Primus
Biography
Barry Primus is an American male actor, director and writer born on February 16, 1938 in New York City, New York, United States. He began his career as a stage actor, working in theatre for the first decade after completing his studies in acting at the private Bennington College in Vermont. Primus later moved into film and television, where he is primarily known for his acting work but has also written and directed several movies in which he appeared. As of the latest available information he is 88 years old. His professional credits number ninety, reflecting a long‑standing presence in the entertainment industry.
Career overview
Barry Primus was born on February 16, 1938 in New York City, New York, United States. He is an American male who began his professional life on the stage, spending the first ten years of his career employed as a stage actor. After establishing himself in theatre, Primus transitioned to screen work, building a substantial body of film and television performances.
Throughout his career he has been identified primarily as an actor, a role for which he is credited on ninety separate productions. In addition to acting, Primus has taken on writing and directing responsibilities on several films in which he also appears, demonstrating a multifaceted involvement in the filmmaking process. His contributions span both performance and creative development, reflecting a breadth of experience that extends beyond on‑screen work.
Primus’s career, documented in public film databases and biographical references, underscores his long‑standing presence in the entertainment industry, from his early stage engagements to his extensive catalog of screen credits. His work continues to be recognized for its diversity, encompassing acting, writing, and directing across a range of cinematic and television projects.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
93 titles- Eternity (2025) as Older Larry
- Faye (2024) as Self
- The Prank (2024) as George Wheeler
- Arkansas (2020) as Old Greek
- The Irishman (2019) as Ewing King
- Raúl Juliá: The World’s a Stage (2019) as Self
- Rock Bottom (2019)
- Breakable You (2017) as Dr. Chazen
- Joy (2015) as Rudy's Attorney
- The Longest Week (2014) as Bernard the Chauffer
- American Hustle (2013) as Tellegio's Consigliere
- Inglourious Basterds (2009) Thanks
- Righteous Kill (2008) as Prosky
- Jackson (2008) as Donald
- After Midnight (2007) as Marty Cole
- Big Guns (2006) as Will Fox
- Break a Leg (2005) as Ira Goldstein
- Boston Legal (2004) as Professor Jeffrey Benoit
- 15 Minutes (2001) as Cab Driver
- Life as a House (2001) as Tom
- James Dean (2001) as Nicholas Ray
- Providence (1999) as Gordon
- Black & White (1999) as Priest
- V.I.P. (1998) Director
- The Practice (1997) as Porn Film Director Goodwin
- Gold Coast (1997) as Ed Grossi
- Flipping (1997) as Joey, Leo's Crew
- Arli$$ (1996) as Benny
- Crime of the Century (1996) as Ellis Parker
- Welcome to Paradise (1995) as Frank Blair
- Trade Off (1995) as Detective Gold
- T-Force (1994) Producer
- The X-Files (1993) as Robert Dorlund
- seaQuest DSV (1993) as Frobe Ernst
- Mistress (1992) Director
- Mistress (1992) Story
- Mistress (1992) Screenplay
- Night and the City (1992) as Tommy Tessler
- Guilty by Suspicion (1991) as Bert Alan
- Law & Order (1990) as Gary Silver
- Torn Apart (1990) as Arie Arnon
- Denial (1990) as Jay
- Cannibal Women in the Avocado Jungle of Death (1989) as Ford Maddox
- Big Business (1988) as Michael
- 21 Jump Street (1987) as Judge Warren Briggs
- Stillwatch (1987) as Toby Wilson
- Talking Walls (1987) as Professor Hirsch
- The Stranger (1987) as Sergeant Drake
- L.A. Law (1986) as Jack Lambert
- Jake Speed (1986) as Lawrence
- Down and Out in Beverly Hills (1986) as Lou Waltzberg
- SpaceCamp (1986) as Brennan
- The Equalizer (1985) as Walter Wesley
- MacGruder and Loud (1985) as Sam
- Brotherly Love (1985) as Det. Trelska
- Murder, She Wrote (1984) as Det. Sgt. Len Berger
- Miami Vice (1984) as FBI Agt. Daley
- Hunter (1984) as Andy McBride
- The River (1984) as Roy
- The River (1984) Casting Consultant
- Heart of Steel (1983) as Amendola
- T. J. Hooker (1982) as Martin Colson
- Cagney & Lacey (1982) as Dory McKenna
- Hotel (1982)
- Portrait of a Showgirl (1982) as Dennis Philips
- Paper Dolls (1982) as Alan
- On Golden Pond (1981) Casting
- Absence of Malice (1981) as Robert Waddell
- Heartland (1981) as Jack
- Macbeth (1981) as Banquo
- Night Games (1980) as Jason St. John
- Knots Landing (1979) as Mitch Casey
- The Rose (1979) as Dennis
- Avalanche (1978) as Mark Elliott
- Lou Grant (1977)
- The Hardy Boys / Nancy Drew Mysteries (1977)
- New York, New York (1977) as Paul Wilson
- Washington: Behind Closed Doors (1977) as Joe Wisnovsky
- Roger & Harry: The Mitera Target (1977) as Harry Jaworsky
- Autopsy (1975) as Father Paul Lenox
- The Book of Murder (1974) as Charlie Mariette
- The Dion Brothers (1974) as Tony
- Big Rose (1974) as Ed Mills
- Incident at Vichy (1973) as Bayard, A Railroad Worker
- The Streets of San Francisco (1972)
- Boxcar Bertha (1972) as Rake Brown
- Von Richthofen and Brown (1971) as Hermann Goering
- Been Down So Long It Looks Like Up to Me (1971) as Gnossos "Paps" Pappadopoulis
- Puzzle of a Downfall Child (1970) as Aaron Reinhardt
- Medical Center (1969)
- The Brotherhood (1968) as Vido
- The Desperate Hours (1967) as Hank Griffin
- The Virginian (1962) as Johnny Younce
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Barry Primus best known for?
Barry Primus is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Eternity (2025), The Prank (2024), Arkansas (2020), The Irishman (2019).
When and where was Barry Primus born?
Barry Primus was born on February 16, 1938 in New York City, New York, USA.
How many credits does Barry Primus have?
Barry Primus has accumulated over 93 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1962 to 2025.
What is Barry Primus's background in cinema and television?
Barry Primus is an American male actor, director and writer born on February 16, 1938 in New York City, New York, United States. He began his career as a stage actor, working in theatre for the first decade after completing his studies in acting at the private Bennington College in Vermont. Primus later moved into film...
Barry Primus by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Portrait of a Showgirl (1982) as Dennis Philips — aged about 44
- The X-Files (1993) as Robert Dorlund — aged about 55
- Boston Legal (2004) as Professor Jeffrey Benoit — aged about 66
- Washington: Behind Closed Doors (1977) as Joe Wisnovsky — aged about 39
- The Practice (1997) as Porn Film Director Goodwin — aged about 59
- The Irishman (2019) as Ewing King — aged about 81
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